At IDEA Consult, sustainability is firmly embedded in our mission, vision and values. As an organisation committed to economic innovation, urban development and effective governance, we strive to integrate sustainability into everything we do.
In 2021, we formalised our commitment by becoming an SDG Pioneer and integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into our strategy and advisory work. As we evolve into an SDG Champion, we are focusing on impact, transition and stakeholder engagement.
Sustainability is a priority at all levels, with responsibility shared across the organisation. At board and management level, sustainability is integrated into decision-making, while an internal sustainability team ensures engagement from teams and colleagues.
Now that these structures are in place, our next step is to move from strategy to action and increase our impact on sustainability through a double materiality analysis in our projects and activities.
Our sustainability trajectory
The foundation (2021 - 2022)
In October 2020, IDEA Consult became a member of CIFAL Flanders, a UN-recognised SDG training centre, in order to integrate sustainability into our core activities.
Under the supervision of CIFAL Flanders, we launched the PCA2030 programme at the beginning of 2021, embarking on a three-level journey: Pioneer, Champion and Ambassador.
From strategy to implementation (2021 - 2023)
Building on the PCA2030 framework, we have drawn up an initial SDG action plan (2021), which is structured around five key pillars:
1. People – Promoting an inclusive workplace, increasing diversity in recruitment and integrating welfare policies.
2. Planet – Greening our mobility policy, introducing sustainable procurement and implementing sustainability projects in the office.
3. Prosperity – Strengthening expertise in the circular economy, labour market innovation and sustainable economic development.
4. Peace – Improving governance, ensuring gender balance and improving efficiency.
5. Partnership – Involving stakeholders, integrating SDGs into client projects and promoting collaboration between teams.
Becoming SDG Pioneer (2023)
On 16 November 2023, we received the SDG Pioneer Certificate during
the celebration of IDEA's 25th anniversary. This milestone marked progress, but also laid the foundation for our next goal: becoming an SDG Champion.
Focus on five material topics
In defining our sustainability strategy, we have identified five key topics that reflect both our greatest social impact (inside-out) and the external forces that shape our organisation (outside-in). These themes form the basis for IDEA Consult's sustainability efforts and align with our key SDGs defined during the pioneering process.
Each key topic represents an area where our expertise and activities contribute to sustainable development, while also responding to societal expectations, legal requirements and emerging trends. Below, we provide an overview of these topics, their relevance and how they align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Social & economic innovation
Contributing to the development of new insights, policy measures and financing models that improve social welfare. Our research and advisory work focuses on creating innovative solutions to urgent socio-economic challenges.
Sustainable socio-economic development
Promoting economic growth with a strong focus on inclusivity, social cohesion and environmental responsibility. This includes encouraging sustainable business models, supporting local economies and integrating principles of the circular economy.
Labour market & careers
Strengthening IDEA's HR policy with an emphasis on employee development, lifelong learning and well-being. Externally, we provide advice on labour market transitions, skills development and future-oriented career policy in a changing labour market.
Data & digitalisation
Improving digital capabilities, both internally and for our customers, to stimulate evidence-based policy-making and smart governance. This includes leveraging data for social and economic impact, ensuring ethical data use, and investing in digital literacy.
Partnerships & stakeholder engagement
Strengthening collaboration with stakeholders to tackle complex societal challenges. We promote multi-sector partnerships and participate in co-creation processes to develop holistic, sustainable solutions. Internally, we encourage collaboration between teams and knowledge sharing.
Raising the bar for SDG Champion
Achieving SDG Pioneer status was an important milestone, but not the end goal. The SDG Champion level invites us to take further steps. The transition to SDG Champion means:
- Increasing our impact based on our material analysis
- Reporting and communicating on our actions (sustainability reporting)
- Expanding our services to customers in the field of sustainability
In our sustainability strategy, we have set concrete objectives and targets for each of the six verbs in the PCA2030 framework.
Learning
Goal
The organisation builds up the knowledge needed to contribute to a societal transition.
Targets
- Organise and participate in training courses on sustainable development
- Participation in external networks
Organising
Goal
The organisation takes into account the expectations and feedback of external stakeholders.
Targets
- Panel with external stakeholders
- Sustainability in management and governance
Formulating
Goal
The organisation is strengthening its sustainability policy and promoting ethical behaviour and good governance.
Targets
- SDGs in the organisation's DNA
- SDG action plan
- Code of ethics
Implementing
Goal
The organisation achieves the pre-determined (interim) targets in its SDG action plan.
Targets
- Implementation of the SDG action plan
- Realisation of a transition path
- Conducting impact assessments of measures taken
Evaluating
Goal
The organisation critically evaluates its realised impact in the field of social sustainability.
Targets
- Ethical screening of implementation tools used
- Monitoring of action plans and reporting
Communicating
Goal
The organisation communicates transparently, critically and regularly with society about its sustainability initiatives and contribution to the SDGs.
Targets
- SDG communication plan for external stakeholders
- Reporting on SDG progress