SustainPlan GmbH is an advisory and training company focused on ESG, sustainability, and responsible business transformation. We work with companies, public institutions, and financial actors to design practical strategies, build organizational capacity, and align operations with global frameworks such as GRI, CSRD, IFRS, and ISO standards. Our work is grounded in applied expertise and delivered through tailored consulting, professional training, and evidence-based tools that help organizations turn sustainability goals into measurable outcomes.
EquiScale
Smart DEI Platform for Inclusive Businesses
Building the Future of Inclusive Organizations
Organizations across Europe are facing increasing expectations to create more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces while responding to evolving workforce needs, ESG requirements and emerging sustainability regulations.
Although awareness of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) continues to grow, many organizations still lack practical, affordable and evidence-based tools to assess their current situation, identify improvement opportunities and systematically strengthen inclusive organizational practices.
EquiScale has been established to bridge this gap.
Developed by SustainPlan GmbH in collaboration with Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), EquiScale is an innovative research and development project focused on creating a next-generation digital platform that helps organizations transform DEI from a strategic aspiration into measurable organizational performance.
MOCKUP / SOFTWARE PREVIEW
Why EquiScale?
Many organizations recognize the importance of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, yet struggle to answer fundamental questions:
- Where do we currently stand?
- Which areas require improvement?
- How do we compare with similar organizations?
- What actions should we prioritize?
- How can progress be measured over time?
Current solutions often rely on expensive consultancy services, fragmented assessments or generic international frameworks that are difficult to apply within everyday organizational practice.
EquiScale is designed to provide an accessible, practical and evidence-based solution that supports organizations of all sizes.
Project Vision
Our vision is to make DEI measurable, understandable and actionable.
Rather than treating inclusion as a standalone initiative, EquiScale integrates DEI into organizational development through digital technologies, structured assessment methodologies and continuous improvement processes.
The project combines internationally recognized frameworks such as ISO 30415 and GRI 405 with Austrian organizational realities and future European sustainability requirements.
Core Platform Modules
The first version of EquiScale includes five integrated components:
DEI Maturity Assessment
Evaluate organizational maturity through a structured multi-dimensional assessment model.
Benchmarking
Compare organizational performance anonymously with similar organizations and sector averages.
Smart Roadmaps
Receive tailored improvement plans based on assessment results and organizational maturity.
Knowledge Hub
Access practical guidance, templates, best practices and implementation resources.
Pilot Validation Programme
Collaborate with real organizations to continuously improve the platform before market launch.
Who Can Benefit?
EquiScale has been designed for organizations of different sizes and sectors, including:
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
- Large Enterprises
- Public Institutions
- Municipalities
- Universities
- Non-profit Organizations
- ESG & Sustainability Teams
- Human Resources Departments
- Organizational Development Professionals
Research-Based Innovation
EquiScale is more than a software platform.
It combines applied research, digital innovation and organizational science into a practical decision-support system.
The platform is being developed through collaboration between industry and academia to ensure scientific credibility, practical usability and long-term scalability.
The project aims to establish a new generation of organizational intelligence tools capable of supporting evidence-based decision making in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Pilot Programme
Following completion of the development phase, a limited number of Austrian organizations will be invited to participate in the official EquiScale Pilot Programme.
The pilot phase is expected to begin approximately 6–8 months after completion of the current research and development activities.
Selected organizations will gain early access to the platform and contribute directly to its final refinement.
Benefits of Becoming a Pilot Partner
Pilot organizations will receive:
✓ Complimentary access to the pilot platform
✓ Initial DEI maturity assessment
✓ Personalized improvement roadmap
✓ Early access before public release
✓ Opportunity to shape the future development of EquiScale
✓ Collaboration within an innovative research and development initiative
Privacy & Confidentiality
Protecting organizational information is one of the fundamental principles of the EquiScale project.
All pilot participants’ information will be treated as strictly confidential and processed in full accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
No organization-specific information will be disclosed without explicit written consent.
Project Partners
SustainPlan GmbH
Project Lead
Graz University of Technology (TU Graz)
Academic Partner
Portfolio
With the direct contribution of Sustain Plan GmbH to the development of specialized sustainability frameworks and guidelines, United Metric Association was awarded the Verified Social Enterprise Label.
After nine years of implementation, Sustain Plan GmbH co-developed the Sustainable Value Creation Award Model, now adopted by leading companies to advance ESG, excellence, and sustainable impact.
Sustain Plan GmbH designed and delivered a bank-wide sustainability reporting capacity-building project, training 40 senior managers through CPD-approved courses aligned with GRI standards.
This project provides sustainable building consultancy for a multi-building educational and academic campus, with Sustain Plan GmbH integrating design, assessment, training, and DGNB alignment.
Sustain Plan GmbH delivered a specialized Sustainability Progress Reporting program for 30 experts from oil, gas, and petrochemical companies, with CPD England approval.
Sustain Plan GmbH designed and delivered a specialized DEI training program for 24 experts from different companies, helping participants integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into leadership, governance, and organizational performance systems.
Sustain Plan GmbH designed and delivered the Professional Certification in Sustainability and ESG for Water & Wastewater, a specialized program for water utilities sector.
Sustain Plan GmbH co-developed this sustainability guideline for oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, now used by selected companies as a practical reference for ESG alignment, sustainability planning, implementation priorities, and decision-making.
Sustain Plan GmbH delivered specialized sustainable architecture training for 28 architecture professionals, strengthening technical capacity in green design, performance criteria, materials, and integrated practice.
Sustain Plan GmbH contributed to the design and development of this industrial water footprint management guideline, supporting companies with a practical framework for water sustainability, ESG integration, performance improvement, and planning.
What We Do
We specialize in helping organizations turn ESG goals into actionable strategies and systems through expert consulting, tailored training, and sector-specific tools.
ESG Strategy & Roadmaps
Climate & Decarbonization Strategy
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Governance, Ethics & Compliance
DEI & Social Sustainability
ESG & Sustainability Reporting
Who We Work With
Each project we undertake is tailored to the client’s specific regulatory context, sectoral dynamics, and ESG maturity level whether you’re preparing for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), developing a science-based net-zero transition strategy, or initiating your first ESG disclosures.
We support publicly listed companies, SMEs, financial institutions, and public bodies in navigating the technical, organizational, and compliance dimensions of ESG. This includes mapping data and reporting gaps against ESRS standards, designing integrated climate strategies in line with TCFD and SBTi, aligning with investor expectations (IFRS S1/S2), and establishing governance mechanisms that ensure ESG is not just an add-on, but embedded across operations, supply chains, and board oversight structures.
Whether your organization is responding to mandatory regulations or voluntarily advancing its sustainability leadership, our role is to translate complexity into action through practical tools, hands-on guidance, and sector-specific expertise.
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Financial Institutions
Energy & Utilities
Manufacturing & Industry
Public Sector & Municipalities
