Our Commitment to Applied Sustainability Innovation

At Sustain Plan GmbH, we believe that meaningful progress toward sustainability requires not only action but evidence-based strategy, systemic insight, and bold experimentation. That is why we have established a dedicated Research & Development (R&D) department at the core of our company. Our R&D efforts focus on developing practical, scalable, and sector-specific solutions aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, and EU Green Deal priorities.

Our R&D department is structured around three pillars:

1. Strategic Research in ESG and Sustainability Standards

We conduct applied research to translate international standards (e.g., ISO 26000, ISO 30415, GRI Standards, CSRD) into actionable frameworks for industries, governments, and institutions. Our research team collaborates with stakeholders across Europe and the MENA region to localize sustainability best practices without compromising on global alignment.

Key outputs include:

• Custom ESG indicator systems tailored to different sectors (energy, water, infrastructure)
• Integration of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) indicators into social performance metrics
• Crosswalk models between SDGs and organizational KPIs

• Policy recommendations for ESG integration in strategic planning

2. Development of Models, Guidelines, and Digital Platforms

We are at the forefront of model design for ESG maturity, performance evaluation, and sustainable transformation. All our models are research-driven and validated through multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Flagship projects include:

• Sustainable Value Creation Model (2024–2025):

A comprehensive, multi-layer assessment and development model for organizations, featuring three-tiered KPIs, maturity levels, and data-based feedback loops.

→ Currently under transformation into a digital platform enabling SMEs and large companies alike to self-assess, generate improvement plans, and align with ESG targets.

• ESG Evaluation Framework for Oil, Gas & Petrochemical Sector:

Developed in partnership with the United Metric Association (Austria), this framework provides measurable ESG indicators tailored to the complexities of heavy industry.

• Sustainability Blueprint for the Water and Wastewater Sector:

A comparative research project mapping global best practices in water management, circularity, and social equity, translated into an implementation guideline for utility companies.

All above frameworks incorporate governance-level DEI indicators, ensuring that equity, diversity, and inclusion are not add-ons but integral to sustainability architecture.

3. Institutional Collaborations & Scientific Advisory

We engage in long-term research alliances with scientific associations, professional societies, and policy institutions to maximize our collective impact.

Our partners and collaborators include:

• United Metric Association – joint research and guideline development
• Iranian Management Association – institutional commissioning of award model development
• European knowledge networks – engagement in EU-wide dialogues and dissemination of findings

Research for Purpose-Driven Transformation

At Sustain Plan GmbH, research is not theoretical. It’s about building tools, platforms, and processes that companies, governments, and communities can use—today. Our digitalization efforts ensure accessibility of our models, while our focus on inclusivity and governance guarantees that the solutions are not only efficient but equitable.