The Sustainable Economic Progress Award 2020

The Alphonse Weicker Foundation and BGL BNP Paribas, in collaboration with the National Institute for Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility (INDR) and the Union des Entreprises Luxembourgeoises (UEL), presented the 2020 Sustainable Economic Progress Prize for the second time in a row on 24 February 2021 at the premises of BGL BNP Paribas.

Official photo of the 2020 winners: from left to right: Kik Schneider; Patrick de Briey, (WAKO); Béatrice Belorgey; Claude Seywert, (Encevo Group); Yves Nosbusch; Marc Lauer

The Sustainable Economic Progress Award recognises a company that has demonstrated an exemplary contribution to sustainable development through a CSR strategy that takes into account its economic, social and environmental impacts. The evaluation criteria focus on the materiality of the CSR themes adopted, the involvement or consultation of stakeholders, the creation of shared value, innovation and sharing.  With this prize, endowed with 10,000 euros, the Alphonse Weicker Foundation contributes to confirming and strengthening the CSR strategy of companies; this strategy is also promoted in international standards such as ISO 26000 or GRI, and described in the chapter on CSR strategy in the INDR’s ESR Guide. BGL BNP PARIBAS is supporting this initiative with a prize of EUR 2,500 determined by the jury. Eligibility for the prize is reserved for companies that have been awarded the ESR – ENTREPRISE RESPONSABLE label by the INDR. These companies have formalised their understanding of CSR as an opportunity to improve their governance, strengthen their social commitment and limit their environmental impact. In this way, they ensure their own sustainability while generating positive and sustainable impacts for society. They have successfully met a coherent set of criteria in the INDR labelling process, following an external audit.

After deliberation by the jury, the following companies are the winners of the Sustainable Economic Progress Award:

WAKO, winner of the Alphonse Weicker Foundation Prize, endowed with 10,000 euros

WAKO is a company with a strong sense of responsibility. For several years now, the implementation of its CSR strategy has been the subject of action aimed at achieving the “Objective Zero Carbon” in close cooperation with all its employees, customers and suppliers. On the basis of its second carbon footprint established at the end of 2020, WAKO has focused its priorities on two complementary areas: the reduction of 20% of its CO2 emissions through actions that were defined with all of its 200 employees during a team building session, and the compensation of the balance through financial participation in the planting of 250,000 trees on the island of Madagascar, a reforestation project managed by the non-profit organisation Graine de Vie. “Graine de Vie”. In addition, WAKO has offered all its customers and suppliers the opportunity to join the project on a voluntary basis. From now on, WAKO will be carbon neutral, certified by CO2 Strategy Luxembourg Sàrl, while continuing its efforts to further reduce its emissions.

Encevo Group, winner of the BGL BNP Paribas prize of 2,500 euros

Encevo is a key player in the field of sustainable energy in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. Committed to ensuring secure access to and competitive supply of energy, Encevo actively contributes to shaping the transition to a sustainable energy sector by deploying innovative solutions and building partnerships with local communities. The CSR approach, redesigned in 2019, is an integral part of the group’s strategy to address climate issues and to be a leading player in the energy transition.

The awards were presented by a select committee in the presence of

• Mr Kik Schneider, President of the Alphonse Weicker Foundation
• Ms Béatrice Belorgey, Chairman of the Executive Committee of BGL BNP Paribas, Country Manager of the BNP Paribas Group in Luxembourg and Member of the Board of Directors of the Alphonse Weicker Foundation
• Mr Yves Nosbusch, Member of the Board of Directors of the Alphonse Weicker Foundation and President of the jury
• Mr Marc Lauer, President of the INDR
• Mr Michel Reckinger, President of the UEL

The jury was composed of

Representatives of the Alphonse Weicker Foundation :

• Mr Gérard Hoffmann, CEO, Telindus
• Ms Mathilde Jahan, Head of Transformation Programme, BGL BNP Paribas
• Mr Yves Nosbusch, Member of the Executive Committee of BGL BNP Paribas, Chairman of the jury

Representative of BGL BNP Paribas :

• Ms Emmanuelle Humann, Head of CSR, BGL BNP Paribas

Representatives of the UEL and the INDR :

• Ms Sabrina Funk, Secretary General, Chambre des Métiers
• Ms Anne-Marie Loesch, Head of Business Development & CSR, Chamber of Commerce
• Mr Jean-Paul Olinger, Director of the UEL and the INDR

Companies with the ESR – Responsible Enterprise label that have submitted their application:

• BEBOP
• Demy Schandeler
• Encevo Group
• ILQVT – Institut luxembourgeois de la Qualité de Vie au Travail
• KETER
• Maâ-Oui!
• Orus Paper
• shime
• WAKO