By moving into a 100% sustainable building in the heart of Brussels, Monizze is confirming its ESG commitment. Soft mobility, reinvented workspaces and responsible governance form the backbone of a strategy that combines innovation and societal impact.
The 31 Central, a passive and CO2-neutral building with BREEAM certification (a label that assesses the environmental performance of buildings), has become the new headquarters of Monizze, a Belgian SME specialising in digital solutions such as meal vouchers and eco vouchers. Located in the heart of Brussels, close to the Central Station, this eco-responsible space fully embodies the company's ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) commitment. Through this choice, Monizze is affirming its desire to combine sustainability, well-being and innovation to meet the expectations of its employees and customers.
E as in Ecological footprint
In Belgium, ‘37% of small businesses have already implemented a sustainable development strategy, and 25% plan to take action in the next 12 months’, says Monizze in its press release. With 31 Central, the Belgian SME is moving into an exemplary building, enabling it to reduce the environmental impact of its activities. ‘We have gone from an energy sink to a building that is virtually passive, or at least CO2 neutral,’ explains Jean-Louis Van Houwe, CEO of Monizze.
Its proximity to the central station and public transport encourages employees to opt for more environmentally-friendly journeys. Since moving here, the company has reduced the number of kilometres travelled by company cars by 70%, and has seen an 8% increase in the use of soft mobility. ‘We are in a very strict part of Brussels in terms of m² of authorised parking. As a result, we have encouraged people to use public transport or bicycles', the CEO adds.
S as in Social
Monizze's ESG strategy also focuses on social issues. The new headquarters has been designed to meet the needs of a hybrid working environment, with flexible spaces that encourage both collaboration and concentration. Jean-Louis Van Houwe explains that he opted for a working environment based on the principles of activity-based working, allowing each team to choose the space best suited to its needs and the type of work involved. ‘We have redesigned our spaces to encourage collaboration while providing areas dedicated to concentration, thereby promoting flexibility and the well-being of our employees,’ says Stéphanie Béchet, Human Resources Director at Monizze.
This commitment is accompanied by technological support, in particular with Alix, an artificial intelligence designed to simplify access to fringe benefits. ‘Our social legislation is relatively complicated. For example, what is the mobility budget? What can I do with a company box? Alix will provide the answers. It's also an equity programme for SMEs,’ the CEO emphasises.
G as in Governance
Behind this visible transformation, Monizze is also making a point of looking after its governance. Recently certified ISO 27001:2022, the company is demonstrating its commitment to information security, an important aspect in maintaining the trust of its partners and customers. In addition, the EcoVadis Gold label (which measures the environmental, social and ethical impact of companies), obtained last September, ranks the organisation among the best-performing companies in terms of sustainability, social responsibility and good governance.
‘To keep this certification every year, you have to follow a certain trajectory, and that's what we're in the process of doing,’ shares Jean-Louise Van Houwe. By working with local and affiliated customers and businesses (i.e. those that accept Monizze meal vouchers or eco vouchers), the Belgian SME is encouraging responsible consumption by supporting local trade and sustainability.
A long-term vision
For Jean-Louis Van Houwe, CEO of Monizze, integrating ESG principles allows a company to remain competitive and relevant in a fast-changing market. ‘A company is a social and societal player that has to adapt, and that's important for employee branding. Let's not forget that next year the CSRD - Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, which applies to companies with more than 250 employees - will come into force, and if companies don't have an ESG strategy, they will no longer be able to do business with major clients.’
Through its actions, Monizze wants to show that it is possible to combine sustainability and economic performance, and that ESG principles are not just for large companies, but for companies of all sizes.
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BECI has made the implementation of ESG in companies one of its main missions. Find out more here. |