Tools to help you with your sustainable transition

In this section, you'll find a series of tools divided into two categories. In the "Getting started" category, you'll find easy-to-use tools to help you grasp concepts related to sustainable entrepreneurship. 

In the second category, "Going further", we've grouped together those that require a greater understanding of ESG (environmental, social and governance) issues, but which will give you the opportunity to go through your sustainable strategy in greater detail. 

For each tool, we have indicated its relevance to the steps of sustainable entrepreneurship. 

In addition, we advise you to contact your Brussels clusters for information on any tools specific to your business sector. 

Getting started 

• hub.brussels' self-diagnosis tool: This tool will enable you to draw up an initial assessment of your business in 15 minutes, and provide you with recommendations for the rest of your journey.

• SDGs for companies (FR): Access a catalogue of actions by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and testimonials to inspire you and help you forge your own path. 
  By UWE and Wallonia 
  Steps 1-3 

• Optimise your VSE/SME (FR): Get inspired by a series of possible actions classified according to 10 key positions in a company to kick off your own environmental approach. 
  By ADEME 
  Steps 1-3 

• Sociale Innovatie Atelier (NL): Follow a series of online modules to grasp the concept of social innovation and get inspired by specific initiatives. 
  By Sociale InnovatieFabriek 
  Step 1 

• Practical notes & tools (FR/NL): Discover practical guides detailing the various stages in the life of a cooperative company. For Wallonia-Brussels, click here. For Flanders-Brussels, click here. 
  By the Belgian federation of cooperatives 
  Step 1 

• Sustainable IT MOOC (FR/EN): Follow this MOOC on the topic of sustainable IT to grasp the main concepts and challenges. 
  By the Institute for Sustainable IT 
  Step 1 

• Digiscore (FR): Fill in this questionnaire for companies with a social purpose to get your digital maturity score. 
  By Digital Wallonia 
  Step 2 

• SDG Action Manager (FR/EN): The SDG Action Manager enables a company to carry out a self-assessment in relation to the SDGs. It makes it easier to put actions in place and monitor your objectives. 
  By United Nations Global Compact & B Lab 
  Steps 2-3-4-5 

• Sustatool (NL): This platform offers both a self-assessment and monitoring tool, as well as lists of actions and indicators. 
  By MVO Vlaanderen 
  Steps 2-3-4-5 

• B Impact Assessment (EN): Fill in a questionnaire of almost 200 questions to scan your impact in the areas of governance, community, environment, employee well-being and customer value. Compare your results with your sector. 
  By B Lab Europe 
  Steps 2-3 

• Social entrepreneurship tools (FR): This toolbox developed by CoopCity (social entrepreneurship) brings together a list of guides, practical examples, advice and organisations to contact on various themes. 
  By CoopCity 
  Steps 2-3 

• Diversity & Inclusion Checklist (FR/NL):  Take advantage of a self-diagnosis tool designed specifically for social profit companies, and analyse your diversity and inclusion policy. 
  By Bruxeo 
  Step 2 

• 30 Resilience Coaching cards (FR/NL): The Resilience Coaching methodology, aimed at VSEs and SMEs, has led to the creation of 30 cards to help you question your business practices. 
  By environnement.brussels 
  Step 3 

• Sustainable Business Model Canvas (FR): Establish your strategy using a sustainable BMC that integrates the 17 SDGs into its design. 
  By Wallonia Public Service 
  Step 3 

• Social Business Model Canvas (EN): Integrate the social aspect into your business model with this adaptation of the BMC. 
  By Social Business Design 
  Step 3 

• Circular Toolbox (FR/NL/DE/EN): Use design tools to make the transition to a circular economy (circular BMC, partner map, value chain identification). 
  By Circulab Academy 
  Step 3 

• Reduce your energy consumption (EN): Consult a list of 150 measures to reduce your energy consumption that can be done without big investments and bring a quick return. 
  By Energieeffizienz- und Klimaschutz-Netzwerke & Enterprise Europe Network 
  Step 5 

• Guides, books, videos - Federation of Adapted Work Companies (FR): This website provides tools to facilitate the integration of people with disabilities. 
  By the Brussels Federation of Adapted Work Companies 
  Step 5 

• The Good Life Goals (FR/DE/EN): Use the Good Life Goals' animated emojis to communicate your achievements (dissemination of goals and contribution of services/products to the SDGs) to stakeholders. 
  By World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) 
  Steps 5-6 

• The fundamentals of responsible communication (FR): Discover the key steps to responsible communication. 
  By ADEME 
  Step 6 

• GoodCrowd (NL/EN): Use this free online tool to consult your stakeholders on your CSR strategy and link it to the SDGs. 
  By AMS, MVO Vlaanderen, Voka, Spadel, Rosy Blue, Port of Antwerp 
  Step 6 

Going further 

• Verduurzamen van internationaal ondernemen (NL): Take a look at this guide for internationally oriented companies wishing to integrate sustainability and the SDGs into their activities. 
  By Flanders Investment & Trade 
  Step 1 

• SDG Compass (EN): Expand your list of indicators with examples linked to the SDGs and classified by type of activity. Discover a list of additional tools to complete your approach. 
  By GRI, UN Global Compact, WBCSD 
  Steps 2-4 

• EMAS easy (EN):  The European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) has been adapted for SMEs in its "Easy" format: in 10 days, with 10 people and in 30 steps, check your compliance with legislation, aim for improved environmental results and communicate with the outside world while involving your staff.  
  By EMAS 
  Steps 2-3-4-5 

• Carbon Footprint Method (FR): Check out this guide to assess your project's environmental footprint according to various impact categories. Use the public database to help you calculate your impact. 
  By ADEME 
  Step 2 

• OpenLCA (EN):  Use this free open source software to carry out sustainability and life cycle analyses for your business. 
  By Greendelta 
  Step 2 

• ISIT Calculator (FR/NL/EN): Enter your data into this online calculator to measure your company's digital impact in kg CO2 equivalent. 
  By ISIT 
  Step 2 

• ISO 14001 and life cycle (FR):  Get inspired by this guide to ISO 140001 implementation, including feedback. 
  By ADEME 
  Steps 1-2-4-5 

• ISEAL – Codes of Good Practice (EN): Compare your social and environmental practices with those listed in this document and adopted by internationally recognised organisations. 
  By ISEAL 
  Step 4 

• Inclusion checklist (FR/NL): Use this checklist to help you write an inclusive job description.
  By The Shift 
  Step 5 

• Toolbox Human Rights for business & organisations (FR/NL/EN):  Use this set of tools to ensure you meet your human rights duties. 
  By the University of Antwerp, IPIS and SAKADO 
  Step 5 

• Practical guide to environmental claims – 2023 Edition (FR): Consult a practical guide to avoid greenwashing in your communications. 
  By the Conseil national de la consommation (France) 
  Step 6 

• Webinar series (EN): Watch several webinars (using the website search function) on implementing an ESG (environment, social, governance) policy within a company. 
  By the Chamber of Commerce and Union of Enterprises of Brussels 
  Step 7 

• Guide to environmentally responsible offices (FR): Learn from these best practices to reduce your environmental impact. 
  By 21 Solutions and Groupe One 
  Step 7 

• EDiv (FR/NL):  This platform provides access to training modules, guides, examples and practical tools for ensuring diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 
  By Unia 
  Step 7