Sustainable Finance as the Catalyst for ESG-Driven Organizational Design

Vlad Stoicescu () and Alexandra Georgiana Sima
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Vlad Stoicescu: Bucharest University of Economic Studies
Alexandra Georgiana Sima: Bucharest University of Economic Studies

A chapter in Smart Solutions for a Sustainable Future, 2025, pp 457-480 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The European Union’s financial landscape is undergoing a transformative shift towards sustainability, driven by legislative frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This movement mandates the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into financial decision-making, directing investments towards sustainable development. Despite this focus, firms encounter challenges in standardizing ESG benchmarks, ensuring data availability, and embedding sustainability into financial strategies. This paper explores contemporary scholarly discourse on sustainable finance, the integration of ESG values, and the impact of EU policies on corporate practices. It examines the evolving stance of the financial sector on sustainability, identifying challenges and opportunities presented by regulatory mechanisms like the CSRD. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study addresses the significance of anticipatory compliance in sustainable project financing and its relationship with organizational growth. Through case studies and expert interviews, it investigates how businesses can incorporate ESG principles proactively, not just for compliance but as a catalyst for innovation and growth. Findings indicate that a forward-looking strategy towards ESG compliance, including sustainable project investments as a core corporate element, enhances a company's adaptability to regulatory changes and sustainability performance. This approach fosters the development of adaptable organizational models that meet ESG standards proactively, promoting a culture of sustainability that transcends compliance and unlocks progress and innovation opportunities. The paper contributes to the field by presenting a novel perspective on embedding ESG values within organizational strategy and architecture. By shifting from reactive to proactive compliance, enterprises can navigate the EU's regulatory landscape more effectively, illustrating how strategic investments in sustainability can drive transformative change and sustainable growth in the CSRD era.

Keywords: Sustainable finance; Environmental social and governance (ESG); Corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD); European union policies; Preventive compliance; Organizational evolution; Qualitative research methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:prbchp:978-3-031-78179-7_28

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-78179-7_28

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