Business sustainability with ESG principles

Together with the consulting company Kearney, an ESG survey was conducted, providing valuable insight into how Croatian companies approach the implementation of ESG principles, the challenges they face, and the good practices already in place. The results of the survey show significant progress in the application of ESG principles in business compared to the previous year.

The award was traditionally presented at the fourth AmCham conference “Business Sustainability with ESG Principles”, with the top three companies being Atlantic Grupa, Končar, and Arena Hospitality Group. This year’s winner is Atlantic Grupa, and the award was received by Mr. Zoran Stanković, Vice President for Finance, Procurement, and Investments.

The focus of the conference was on the new EU regulatory framework for corporate sustainability – the Omnibus package – and the implementation of key directives such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Taxonomy Regulation for Sustainable Finance.

In her keynote speech, Zrinka Ujević, Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia, emphasized that ensuring a favorable business environment within the Single Market is key to strengthening the competitiveness of the European Union. She noted that through the first Omnibus package, the EU aims to reduce regulatory and administrative burdens, achieve cost savings, establish clear standards, and create conditions for faster and more effective implementation.

Andrea Doko Jelušić, Executive Director of AmCham, highlighted that the ESG agenda is already shaping the regulatory framework and business practices, and will in the coming period have an even stronger impact on the competitiveness and sustainability of the Croatian economy. Rina Musić, President of the AmCham Board of Governors, added that AmCham has for many years, through its initiatives and recommendations, emphasized that sustainability, transparency, and responsible governance are the foundations for corporate success and the long-term competitiveness of the Croatian economy.

At the panel discussion "Excellence in Implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance Factors" participants were Ana Zorić, Directorate for Economy and Financial System, Ministry of Finance; Stanko Kršlović, Board Member of Philip Morris Zagreb; and Matija Mandić, Board Member and Chief Financial Officer of Telemach.

Ana Zorić emphasized that simplifying EU legislation through the Omnibus package, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, aims to stimulate growth, investment, and employment, and facilitate the transition to a sustainable economy, while maintaining transparency and effective reporting. Industry representatives, Matija Mandić and Stanko Kršlović, agreed on the need for simplification and deregulation of the ESG framework, while underlining that businesses remain committed to implementing ESG principles in their operations.

Video of the Conference is available on the link.