Sustainability strategy – from concept to practice
SustainAbility School #42
The role of companies in society is becoming increasingly complex year by year. Beyond profitability pressure, there are ever-growing responsibilities towards the environment and people. What was once optional is becoming a legal obligation, what was free will now be costly, and what is not measured cannot be managed. In this context, the transition from CSR to Sustainability is imperative.
The European directive on non-financial reporting – the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) – which is set to be adopted, will require approximately 50,000 large enterprises and listed companies in the European Union (EU) – compared to 11,000 currently – to disclose information regarding their supply chains, their impact on ecosystems, climate change, forests, and local communities, as well as their governance policies.
The information needs of users have grown significantly in recent years and will continue to do so. There are several reasons for this trend. One of them is the increasing awareness among investors that sustainability-related aspects can jeopardize the financial performance of businesses. Another reason is the growing market for investment products that explicitly aim to meet specific sustainability standards or achieve certain objectives.
Autonom is one of the companies that has chosen to embark on this journey. Autonom's Sustainability Strategy is built around three pillars: environment, people and community and sustainable business and governance.
Regarding the environment, the focus is on the responsible consumption of resources necessary for conducting activities. The second major focus is on people and the community. Involving all categories of stakeholders in joint projects related to sustainability, customer satisfaction (measured through NPS), and increasing the number of digitized processes are some of the actions at this stage.
Alongside making a positive outcome for the environment and society, sustainability will bring immense opportunities for companies with transparent and responsible business models that are mindful of their impact on society. However, it will also pose challenges in securing competitive financing.
The European directive on non-financial reporting – the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) – which is set to be adopted, will require approximately 50,000 large enterprises and listed companies in the European Union (EU) – compared to 11,000 currently – to disclose information regarding their supply chains, their impact on ecosystems, climate change, forests, and local communities, as well as their governance policies.
The information needs of users have grown significantly in recent years and will continue to do so. There are several reasons for this trend. One of them is the increasing awareness among investors that sustainability-related aspects can jeopardize the financial performance of businesses. Another reason is the growing market for investment products that explicitly aim to meet specific sustainability standards or achieve certain objectives.
Autonom is one of the companies that has chosen to embark on this journey. Autonom's Sustainability Strategy is built around three pillars: environment, people and community and sustainable business and governance.
Regarding the environment, the focus is on the responsible consumption of resources necessary for conducting activities. The second major focus is on people and the community. Involving all categories of stakeholders in joint projects related to sustainability, customer satisfaction (measured through NPS), and increasing the number of digitized processes are some of the actions at this stage.
Alongside making a positive outcome for the environment and society, sustainability will bring immense opportunities for companies with transparent and responsible business models that are mindful of their impact on society. However, it will also pose challenges in securing competitive financing.
By attending this webinar, you will learn about:
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Autonom’s Sustainability Strategy: Autonom has a sustainability strategy aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on three core pillars: People & Community, Sustainable Business, and Environmental Care. Their approach emphasizes creating positive impacts on the environment and society while fostering organizational values.
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Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs): Autonom issued Romania’s first Sustainability-Linked Bonds, a financial tool tied to achieving specific environmental goals. This bond issuance aligns with Autonom’s long-term commitment to reducing CO₂ emissions and supporting green mobility.
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Community and Educational Initiatives: Programs like “Devino AutonOM” engage youth in sustainability education, promoting awareness among students and involving Autonom employees in volunteer activities. The initiative has reached numerous schools and encourages a mindset of responsibility from a young age.
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Environmental Efforts and Carbon Footprint Reduction: With 99% of their carbon footprint attributed to their vehicle fleet, Autonom has committed to reducing fleet emissions by 25% by 2025 and 51% by 2030. This includes expanding their green fleet and investing in electric vehicle infrastructure.
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Lessons in Sustainability Leadership: Autonom shares key lessons, such as the importance of adaptability, seeking expert support, and committing to continuous learning in the sustainability journey. The company emphasizes that sustainability is an ongoing process that involves teamwork and a mindset shift from profit-driven to impact-driven goals.
About the guest speaker
Magdalena Caramilea Magdalena Caramilea is the Sustainability Director at Autonom, actively involved in all strategic decisions and actions of the company. She has over 15 years of experience in finance, previously leading risk management, contract execution, and consolidated reporting within BT Operational Leasing’s operational leasing division. After completing the Financial Markets course at Yale University, she established the sustainability department at Autonom. She also studied at the Rotterdam School of Management, focusing on driving business toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Autonom is a 100% Romanian-owned company, founded in 2006 in Piatra Neamț, and ranks among the top five players by turnover in its main areas of activity: operational leasing and car rentals.
The company provides modern mobility and financing solutions, such as short- and medium-term rentals, operational leasing, chauffeur transfers, temporary fleet rentals, fleet management services, roadside assistance, car wash services, and equipment rentals. These services are offered through a unique national network covering 36 cities in Romania, and the company also has operations in Hungary.
Autonom is a 100% Romanian-owned company, founded in 2006 in Piatra Neamț, and ranks among the top five players by turnover in its main areas of activity: operational leasing and car rentals.
The company provides modern mobility and financing solutions, such as short- and medium-term rentals, operational leasing, chauffeur transfers, temporary fleet rentals, fleet management services, roadside assistance, car wash services, and equipment rentals. These services are offered through a unique national network covering 36 cities in Romania, and the company also has operations in Hungary.
Devino membru
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Dacă angajatorul tău nu s-a implicat încă, dar vrei să participi la edițiile viitoare și să ai acces la edițiile trecute, cere decidenților din organizația ta să devină membru.