Governance, Ethics & Compliance

Embedding Responsibility into the DNA of Decision-Making

We help organizations build resilient, transparent, and future-ready governance structures.


Overview

Strong corporate governance is the cornerstone of credible sustainability performance. It ensures that ESG commitments are not just promises — but are translated into policies, oversight, and accountability across the organization.


At SustainPlan, we help organizations align their governance, ethics, and compliance systems with global ESG standards and regulatory expectations. We focus on embedding transparency, ethical conduct, integrity, and risk-based accountability into the organizational framework — from boardroom to operations.


Whether your company is preparing for CSRD, aligning with IFRS S1/S2, or improving ESG ratings, we bring clarity and structure to how sustainability is governed, monitored, and enforced.


What We Offer

1. ESG Governance Framework Design

We support the design and implementation of effective ESG governance models that define clear roles, responsibilities, and oversight mechanisms — including board committees, ESG officers, and cross-functional coordination.


2. Ethics & Integrity Systems

Development and refinement of Codes of Ethics, anti-corruption policies, and ethical conduct standards supported by real training, reporting mechanisms, and culture-building.


3. Compliance Risk Assessment & Controls
Mapping and mitigation of ESG-related compliance risks (e.g. greenwashing, data integrity, non-financial reporting, EU regulations, sanctions, etc.) with integration into risk management systems.


4. Board & Executive Engagement on ESG

Strategic advisory and capacity building for Boards and C-level leaders on climate governance, fiduciary duty, and sustainability oversight.


5. Internal ESG Controls & Audit ReadinessSupport in building internal controls, data integrity systems, and assurance preparation aligned with IFRS S1, ESRS G1–G2, and audit requirements under CSRD.


6. Whistleblower Systems & Complaint Handling

Design and implementation of whistleblowing channels and mechanisms for internal grievance, ethical breaches, and ESG-related complaints.


7. Third-Party Governance & Supply Chain Integrity

Establishing governance expectations for suppliers, partners, and contractors, aligned with standards such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).


8. Policy & Disclosure Alignment

Gap analysis and development of governance and ethics disclosures required under frameworks like:

  • GRI 2-9 to 2-29
  • CSRD / ESRS G1 and G2
  • TCFD Governance pillar
  • OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
  • UN Global Compact Principles 1–10

Our Approach: Systematic. Independent. Practical.

  1. Assessment & Benchmarking
  • Diagnostic of current governance structure
  • Peer benchmarking (by industry/region)
  • Mapping of ESG roles and lines of accountability
  • Analysis of governance gaps in reporting and disclosure


2. Design & Development

  • Co-creation of governance structure tailored to size and sector
  • Drafting or reviewing policies (Code of Conduct, Anti-Bribery, ESG Charter, etc.)
  • Design of ESG committees and working groups
  • Integration of ESG into Board agendas and KPI systems


3. Capacity Building & Implementation

  • ESG governance training for board, executives, and employees
  • Support in onboarding Chief Sustainability Officers or ESG leads
  • Building documentation and reporting lines for internal/external audits


4. Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

  • ESG control framework design (similar to SOX/ICFR, adapted for non-financial)
  • Establishment of escalation and accountability mechanisms
  • Ongoing advisory and governance maturity tracking


Key Benefits to Clients

✔ Strengthen ESG transparency and credibility
✔ Improve ESG ratings and investor confidence
✔ Ensure audit readiness under CSRD/IFRS standards
✔ Align governance with fiduciary and regulatory expectations
✔ Mitigate ethics and compliance risks (greenwashing, reputational, regulatory)
✔ Build stakeholder trust and corporate resilience

Deliverables

A typical Governance, Ethics & Compliance project may include:
 • ESG Governance Framework Document
 • Board ESG Role Matrix
 • ESG Risk & Compliance Mapping
 • Code of Ethics (drafting or review)
 • ESG Committee or Steering Group Design
 • Training Materials & Capacity Plan
 • Audit-Ready Policy Pack (GRI, CSRD, IFRS aligned)
 • Stakeholder Engagement Protocols
 • Complaint & Whistleblower System Design (internal/external)

Why SustainPlan?

We bring cross-functional expertise in corporate governance, ESG risk, non-financial disclosure, and sustainability leadership — combining legal, strategic, and ethical perspectives. We don’t simply deliver policy templates. We help organizations build robust governance cultures that can withstand scrutiny, evolve with regulation, and enable responsible business.