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Earlier this year, FD Mediagroep achieved B Corp™ certification. A recognition and a promise to increase societal impact. It provides a compass to strengthen the ESG strategy and make existing initiatives more visible.
What does the step in B Corp™ mean for FD Mediagroep?
We see our B Corp™ certification as both a tool, a recognition, and a promise. It is an instrument to measure and improve our impact, an acknowledgment of what we are already doing, and at the same time a commitment: this matters to us, and we will continue to take steps in the coming years. The certification underlines our dedication to ESG. For us, this is not a voluntary ambition, but a structural pillar within our organization. B Corp™ is therefore not only a validation of our efforts to date, but also a starting point for further growth. The new B Corp™ standards provide us with a compass to structure and further strengthen our ESG strategy.
Has there been (positive) impact within the organization or among brands such as FD and BNR? Any unexpected effects?
I did not expect so many colleagues to come to me to express how important it is for them to work for a B Corp™ company. I received these responses from all corners of the organizatio: a great signal.
At the same time, I notice that colleagues who were previously less familiar with ESG are increasingly paying attention to sustainability and our social responsibility policies. It is starting to play a larger role in their considerations and decisions. There is a growing awareness that sustainability is truly an important part of FD Mediagroep’s identity.
What were the biggest challenges during the certification process?
The biggest challenge was gathering all the necessary data from the different parts of the organization: a familiar task for anyone working in sustainability or ESG. Who do I need information from, and is everything complete? Additionally, we found that we were already doing a lot in the ESG field, but often implicitly. An important part of this process was formalizing those efforts and embedding them in policy.
What are the key focus areas for 2026 in your field?
The greatest challenge remains making choices. Within the broad ESG framework, we need to determine where to focus our efforts. In terms of sustainability, the low-hanging fruit has already been picked; the next step requires sharper priorities and stronger decisions. A large part of our CO₂ emissions fall under Scope 3 (emissions in our value chain), such as printing processes and the distribution of our newspapers and magazines. Since we cannot directly control these emissions, collaboration with suppliers is essential to improve our sustainability performance.
