ESG in companies: is your team ready?
The pressure for more responsible business practices is now widespread: customers, investors and even employees themselves demand that companies act responsibly. transparency, environmental awareness and real social commitment.
However, the Portuguese Business Confederation (CIP) reveals that 74% of companies struggle to recruit professionals with digital and sustainable skills.
This deficit compromises the ability to:
- Adapting to new regulations (such as the CSRD and the European Taxonomy);
- Integrating into global value chains;
- Responding to market demands with innovation and credibility.
ESG is more than a requirement: it's a competitive advantage. Companies prepared for ESG challenges not only survive, they lead.
But where to start?
The strategic response involves empower teams with a focus on ESGthrough programmes of structured upskilling and reskilling. This is a transformation from the inside out, in which organisations train their own employees and reap the benefits of their investment.
So a new question arises: what does your team need to know to meet the ESG challenge?
Environmental impact and carbon footprint
- Measurement, reporting and reduction plans aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainable purchasing and supply chain management
- Selection of suppliers based on ESG criteria, minimising operational and reputational risks.
Ethics, compliance and good governance
- A commitment to an organisational culture based on transparency and responsibility.
Inclusion, diversity and equity
- Promoting more diverse, collaborative and productive teams.
Sustainable project management
- Planning and evaluation of projects based on environmental and social impact.
ESG in practice: how Novo Banco integrated ESG into training in 2024
A good national example is New Bank, which in 2024 strengthened its ESG commitment to specific training actions aimed at the leadership and its internal teams, through:
- Creation of ESG training trails in the internal training academy;
- Training in sustainable leadership and gender equality, aimed at first and second line managers;
- Alignment between the training modules, institutional values and the organisation's social and environmental responsibility objectives.
This case demonstrates that integrating sustainability into the culture and internal learning systems is decisive for guaranteeing structural and lasting results.
Is cost a barrier? Find out more about funded ESG training for Portuguese companies
Programmes like Portugal 2030 make this possible:
- Obtain up to 70% of financial support on training costs;
- Include graduates' salariesprovided that the training takes place during working hours;
- Implement online, hybrid or in-company training courseswith consultants certified by DGERT.
These solutions were designed precisely to help companies grow responsibly, without jeopardising operations.
After all... what does your company have to gain?
- Legal and regulatory compliance with the new European standards;
- Enhancing the employer brandwith a direct impact on talent retention;
- Strengthening the competitive position in demanding and sustainable markets;
- Capacity for purpose-driven innovation and not just for profit.
Sustainability training is not a cost, but a strategic investment with short, medium and long-term returns for the team, the business and society.