SUS Tool platform: Developing green and Digital skills for SME’s
The ESG Sustainability Reporting Self-Assessment Tool is an innovative digital platform that enables companies and organizations to evaluate how well their operations align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. The tool was developed through collaboration between organizations from four countries – Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland – within the Interreg Baltic Sea Region transnational cooperation program 2021–2027, as part of the project “SUStool: #C012 Sustainability Reporting Tool”. In Latvia, the project is implemented by the Latvian Information and Communication Technology Association (LIKTA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM). This is a particularly significant initiative, as it helps to structure and clarify one of today’s most complex priorities – integrating sustainability and responsible governance into everyday processes.
The tool is based on internationally recognized standards and policy frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the European Green Deal requirements, and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This means that by completing the self-assessment, a company not only gains an overview of its current performance but also prepares in advance for future regulatory requirements, which will gradually become mandatory for an increasing number of businesses.
A key advantage of this tool lies in the way it presents complex information. The ESG field itself is broad, covering issues such as energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, employee well-being, inclusive work environments, corporate governance transparency, and ethical principles. The tool breaks down these topics into clear categories and supplements them with graphic visualizations, explanatory examples, short summaries, and best practices from other companies. This makes it easier to implement complex standards in practice, as the information is not only theoretical but also practically oriented.
Companies are not only able to access educational and informational materials but can also register to carry out a self-analysis of their own operations, map their value chain, identify relevant sustainability topics, analyze risks and opportunities, and better prepare for future reporting. The tool guides users through four self-assessment steps:
Step 1: Identification of key stakeholders in the value chain
Step 2: Selection of sustainability topics
Steps 3 and 4: Assessment of impacts, risks, and opportunities (IRO)
As a result of this analysis, in the fifth step a consolidated report is generated, summarizing the results of steps 1–4. The report clearly highlights the company’s strengths as well as areas requiring improvement. This tool not only enables companies to understand their current position but also serves as a roadmap for further strategic planning. It is especially beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often lack the resources to hire external consultants or develop complex sustainability strategies from scratch.
The relevance of the tool is reinforced by the fact that it aligns seamlessly with Europe’s digital and green transition – two of the EU’s top priorities. On the one hand, the platform leverages digital technologies to simplify data collection and presentation. On the other hand, it supports companies in making decisions that reduce environmental impacts and improve social responsibility. This makes the initiative a clear example of how digital solutions can foster sustainable development.
In the long run, the ESG tool strengthens business competitiveness. Customers, investors, and partners are increasingly evaluating companies based on how responsibly they address environmental and social issues. Therefore, the self-assessment results serve not only as an internal tool but also as a means of strengthening reputation and expanding cooperation opportunities in international markets.
Why is it good practice?
The ESG Self-Assessment Tool can be considered an example of good practice for several reasons.
First, it simplifies access to complex information and makes international sustainability standards understandable and usable for any company, regardless of size or sector. Its intuitive design and visualized results help users quickly gain a clear picture of their compliance with ESG requirements, which would otherwise demand significant time and resource investments.
Second, this tool demonstrates how digital solutions can support sustainable development and substantially contribute to achieving Europe’s green and digital transition goals. It combines technology with responsible business practices, creating a strong synergy between two strategically important directions.
Third, the tool provides companies with tangible added value. It functions not only as a self-assessment instrument but also as a strategic roadmap that helps define priorities, improvement areas, and concrete steps for future action. These outcomes enhance a company’s ability to become more competitive, attractive to investors, and trustworthy in the eyes of society. It is specifically designed with SMEs in mind, allowing them to use it effectively even without additional consultant support.
The tool has been available to the public since September this year. In the first days after its launch, it was visited by 1,300 interested parties, and more than 80 companies registered to begin their sustainability assessment. Throughout the autumn, informational training seminars will be organized in all four project partner countries. Further details can be found on the project partners social media pages. Seminars held so far have confirmed the relevance of the topic, bringing together more than 200 company representatives. The seminars offer an opportunity to explore the tool’s technical features, gain insights from sustainability experts, and learn from the experiences of other companies. A recording of the opening seminar in English is available here.
All interested parties are also warmly invited to attend the project’s closing conference “Think Digital. Act Sustainable” on November 4, either in person in Riga or online. Information about registration will be published on the Interreg project website and on social media.
The ESG Self-Assessment Tool illustrates how complex international standards can be made accessible and practically applicable. Its user-friendly approach, visual solutions, and direct alignment with European policy priorities make this initiative a good practice example that will help companies in Latvia and beyond to move toward more sustainable and responsible operations.
