In dialogue about sustainable development

Dialogue allows us to understand how stakeholders feel about sustainable progress and what role they foresee for organisations like PwC. Besides 1v1 discussions as part of our stakeholder dialogue, we do this in many different ways.

Working visits

PwC board members regularly make working visits to other organisations (for example, companies or social organisations). This allows us to learn from one another about social themes that affect both organisations, like taking part in the public debate, ‘net zero’ and organisation culture. As a result, we can further incorporate the views of the outside world.

Focus group research

PwC is not only discussing sustainable progress with stakeholders we already know well. We also like to know how people who are barely familiar with us – so-called indirect stakeholders – regard the social role of companies in general, and PwC in particular. That is why we perform our focus group research on a regular basis.

Meeting European financial sector and European Commissioner Frans Timmermans

The aim of the European Union is to realise an economy that will be smart, innovative, emission-free and circular by 2050, and will benefit all Europeans. The financial sector is regarded as a catalyst for this transition. In the fall of 2020, PwC organised a digital meeting where several directors of European banks, insurers and asset management companies discussed their ambitions and challenges with Frans Timmermans, executive vice chairmen of the European commission. We have included a report of this meeting in our ‘Green Deal Monitor’.

Partnerships and collaborations

Working together is the best way to build trust and play a role in sustainable solutions. With our domestic and international colleagues, as well as our many partners. Our ‘Corporate Sustainability Office’ has established partnerships and collaborations with several organisations that are active in the field of social enterprise, ‘net zero’ and other sustainability issues. PwC has also established several collaborations in the field of inclusion and diversity.

PwC in discussion with…

How can we accelerate sustainability; how can we guarantee effective and accessible care after COVID-19; and what does safety mean in an ever-changing world? Young PwC professionals talk to guests about potential challenges and the importance of working together when trying to find solutions. They allow themselves to be inspired by photos selected by World Press Photo. Because solutions can only be found if you are open to the outside world.

What role can the Dutch defence organisation play when guaranteeing our safety, both now and in the future? And how can politicians as well as PwC help to ensure safety? Former politician Angelien Eijsink (PvdA) and ‘Young PwC Professional’ Sanne Maas discussed the matter. They did this using a photo by Pedro Pardo, which shows the human factor behind the concept of safety.

Can we accelerate sustainability in the financial sector, and what is needed to achieve this? Are directors considering sustainability in their decision-making? How can we all work together to realise ‘net zero’ impact? Former Triodos CEO Peter Blom and ‘Young PwC Professional’ Milou Keijzer discussed this after a photo by Hkun Lat, which shows the devastating effects of the mining industry on Myanmar’s ecological system.