ESG @H&Z: The Journey So Far
A word from the Managing Director
At H&Z, we believe that sustainability must go beyond words—it must guide the way we think, decide, and act. Reporting serves as our dialogue with stakeholders, but our true measure lies in the progress we make and the real change we deliver.
Our long-term strategy is grounded in sustainability, deeply woven into our firm’s identity. This isn’t an add-on—it’s who we are. Real transformation starts when we dare to share knowledge openly, question conventional wisdom, and collaborate with teams, clients, and partners across industries and borders. Through such openness, we not only accelerate impact, but also forge trust and co-create solutions that are more resilient and more inclusive than what came before.
Every day, I am inspired by our people—their dedication, creativity, and alignment of head, heart, and hand. They remind us that consulting can be far more than diagnosis and theoretical solutions; it can really be the spark for responsible growth and meaningful innovation. When ambition meets action, ripple effects follow.
Looking ahead, I am convinced that lasting success belongs to those who pair performance with responsibility. At H&Z, we will continue walking that path together—with our clients, partners, and, above all, with the strength of our community.
To every person who has journeyed with us: thank you. Your trust, curiosity, and commitment power us forward. Together, we are building a future where growth and responsibility are inseparable.
Sven Steinert
Managing Partner, H&Z
Environment – Acting for the planet
Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, and we take our responsibility seriously. Alongside our work with clients, at H&Z, our environmental commitment is guided by the principle “Reduction before Compensation”.
- Climate Neutrality: H&Z has been climate neutral for several years. While we offset unavoidable emissions through high-quality international projects, our priority is to reduce emissions at the source.
- Science-Based Targets: We have joined the SBTi initiative and committed to cutting our emissions by 50% by 2030.
- Carbon Removal & Innovation: Beyond reduction, we explore forward-looking approaches such as carbon removal schemes to drive long-term climate resilience.
- Operational Impact: Our Environmental Policy sets clear standards for energy efficiency, mobility, office operations, and procurement choices, ensuring sustainability is considered in every business decision.
These initiatives form part of our broader commitment to protecting natural resources, fostering innovation for low-carbon solutions, and contributing to the collective effort needed to keep global warming in check.
People – Being part of the community
For over 20 years, we have supported socially disadvantaged individuals through our association “Hirn Herz Hand e.V.” (H.H.H). We are not only financially supportive but also lend a hand ourselves. All projects we undertake with H.H.H are the result of personal connections between our employees and the recipients of donations. This ensures that our contributions address real needs and strengthen communities directly.
Governance – Making H&Z greener
Our governance foundations for ESG mean that sustainability is managed with the same rigor as any other part of our business. Since XYZ, we have had a dedicated team focused on improving the ESG footprint of H&Z. This team reports directly to the board and is responsible for:
- Measuring and reducing emissions
- Driving internal sustainability initiatives
- Preparing and publishing our annual sustainability reports
- Ensuring group-wide alignment with our ESG policies
This governance approach allows us to continuously monitor progress, adapt where necessary, and ensure that our ESG commitments are translated into measurable results.
