“The ESG professionals are the connectors who unite business strengths for the good cause” – Henning Draeger, the ESG Hub Co-chair

The EBA ESG HUB (earlier the EBA Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility) was established in early 2006 to serve our members who understand that doing business as usual is no longer an option and who realize the need to consider the good of the wider communities within which they exist.

ESG can be a buzzword for many but for companies that strive for success, despite their size and the nature of business, ESG is becoming a vital part of their corporate strategy. Why do CSR and ESG make sense for business? How to choose social causes and design charity initiatives? How to integrate social initiatives into current business strategies? How to measure success? Where to find reliable partners? These and many other questions are being asked and answered on the EBA ESG Hub. The ESG Hub members share their experiences and best practice in implementing various social initiatives. We also discuss obstacles to ESG and sustainability in Ukraine and endeavour to overcome them together.

To learn more about the development of ESG in Ukraine and the world, we talked with our ESG Hub Board Members. Below is the interview with Henning Drager, Sustainability and ESG Partner, BDO Ukraine, ESG Hub Co-chair.

Henning, tell us about yourself and your career path. How did you become interested in Sustainability, ESG and CSR? How many years do you work in these areas? What brought you there?

It is actually an interesting story. In 1986, I was playing tennis outside, and my father came up to me and insisted to go inside because of the radioactive plume that was coming from Chornobyl, Ukraine, via Sweden, Norway, and other countries. For several months since then, we did not consume any meat, vegetable, or fruit because we were afraid of radioactive pollution. That terrible situation and disaster in Ukraine impacted me a lot, and when I was 16, I decided to become a Greenpeace member and protect our environment. 

At the end of the 80s, radioactivity, the nuclear war threat, and industrial pollution especially in the West, created radiation rains that ruined forests and nature. At that time, we did not have the climate change debates that we have today, but I had real concerns and wanted to become a part of the solution. I didn’t understand the business or other managerial processes but wanted to know in detail how to improve the environment. So, I started studying environmental economics, and natural resource management, I continued with my activism and tried to protect the environment. I am happy to dedicate my professional life to sustainability and for more than 25 years I have been doing what I really love. 

How did you join BDO Ukraine?

For 12 years, I’ve been working for BDO Ukraine and it’s a great pleasure for me to be a part of the team. I arrived in Ukraine in March 2011 and within a month I joined BDO Ukraine. It was awesome that at that time BDO Ukraine was already focused on sustainability and ESG. Interesting to mention, that we were the first office among other BDO offices worldwide that started doing the environmental report.  

Henning, you had experience working with many industries and countries. What do you feel about your work with Ukraine? Is there any difference from the rest of the world? In general, and in terms of implementing ESG?

Well, we cannot say that all businesses in Ukraine are the same and that the maturity and understanding of the processes in sustainability are on the same level. Still, I noticed the following things: firstly, I was not surprised by the fact that some of the companies did not want to proceed with necessary sustainability procedures and rules because they were not required by law in Ukraine. Those who did it were mainly multinational companies, but local Ukrainian companies, unfortunately, were not interested in it. The second observation is that some companies do not understand the benefits they could have by applying a sustainability strategy and aligning it with the core strategy of the company. Mainly, the companies in Ukraine expect to increase ROI fast, so they are not willing to wait or understand why sustainability is important. They have to consider sustainability in the long and not the short run.

In comparison to other countries, like Denmark, Norway it is difficult to compare because they started implementing some of the sustainability practices in the 50s or 60s, and they have huge experience and background, but, you know, Ukraine is on its own way and the sustainability in Ukraine must be implemented on Ukraine’s terms and conditions. 

Tell us about your achievements. What are the projects you have the most pride in?

If we talk about sustainability implementation in Ukraine, one of the main and most valuable contributions of BDO Ukraine is that we actively participate in and support the EBA ESG community. I am super proud of our ESG Hub and CSR platform where we meet monthly to share knowledge, practices, and skills in the fields of CSR, ESG and sustainability. You know, the sustainability professional is equal to me to a doctor or an engineer. These people really know how to unite businesses for social, governance and environmental goals. 

We have so many speakers and experts who know how to make Ukraine a better place for living. And surely, there are lots of things to be done but we really do a huge work, and all this knowledge is priceless. Without building a healthy community, a healthy business environment, and a healthy economic cycle, there can be no sustainability. 

What are the main challenges for sustainable development globally and in Ukraine?

In Ukraine, the first and the most important is that the war ends, the borders should be secured and the access to nuclear plants should be controlled by Ukraine. After the victory, we can think about net zero, waste management, air pollution, mental health, etc. 

As to global challenges, I could spotlight the following: climate change is on top and then all negative consequences resulted from it. Much more political will is needed at the level of such organizations as the United Nations. Unfortunately, vested interests keep the slow pace of necessary actions even slower. 

Also, I think that one of the most important actions that people need to do is to educate themselves and take personal responsibility.

Henning, what are your plans for this year?

Run a marathon, visit Ukraine, and meet with my Ukrainian friends. Also, I want to learn Romanian and learn a bit about the culture of Romania. 

Oh, wow, did you take part in running events before?

Yes, I ran the Kyiv Run Marathon several times, but then was injured, so hope that in 2023 could restart running again.

What would you like to wish our audience?

I am not in Ukraine now, I live currently in Bucharest but I still remember all these sirens, explosions, and horror that russia brought to our beautiful and peaceful country. I wish that Ukraine wins, all the soldiers come back home, and we start rebuilding Ukraine. And of course, I am sure that sustainability will flourish after the country will be secured. Keep being lions and lionesses and if you apply your victorious bravery to sustainability, you will become a world top leader. The world is with you, and we are proud of all Ukrainians.

Slava Ukraini!