Alessa Jewko has been working as an ESG Manager at the X1F Group since June 2024. Her professional roots lie within a subsidiary of the group, where she has already gained extensive experience in ESG, leadership, and certification processes. She was particularly influenced by her responsibility for sustainability reports and the renewal of Ecovadis certifications. In this article, Alessa reveals why sustainability is a central component of future-proof companies and a tremendous opportunity—not only to comply with legal requirements but also to drive innovation and collaboration. With her work, she aims to inspire companies to take a holistic approach to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics and integrate them into their strategies.

1. Sustainability at X1F

X1F GmbH is a German company based in Hamburg. It brings together 1,350 employees from over 15 subsidiaries and is a full-service technology consultancy with a primary focus on regulated markets. With business areas such as consulting and managed services, the company offers tailored solutions for customers worldwide. At the same time, X1F has recognized that sustainability is not just a legal obligation but also a strategic opportunity to remain future-proof. ESG Manager Alessa Jewko has taken on this task. With her experience in sustainability reporting, certifications, and green policies, she is driving the transformation forward.

“Sustainability must not be a mere fig leaf. It is a crucial component of a future-proof company,” explains Alessa.

2. CSRD: Challenges and First Steps

“A key point in implementing the CSRD was the creation of dedicated resources and a specialized team for sustainability,” Alessa emphasizes how crucial it is not to let the topic get lost within different departments.

“From the beginning, we established a task force under the leadership of the CFO, which allowed me to work directly with the relevant departments. A common issue is that responsible persons either understand the company well but lack expertise in sustainability, or vice versa. A central team helps avoid these discrepancies and ensures clear responsibilities.”

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires companies to provide detailed reports on their sustainability performance. These new requirements were a challenge for X1F, particularly due to the need to collect and analyze extensive data. Alessa repeatedly emphasizes: “The CSRD is extensive. It takes time and resources to understand and implement the requirements.”

Together with the CFO and through cross-departmental collaboration, X1F developed a roadmap to fulfill all requirements according to the ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards). For Alessa, it was particularly important to prioritize the essential mandatory tasks and gradually introduce the organization to the new requirements.

3. Double Materiality Analysis: Opportunities and Risks

The Double Materiality Analysis was a crucial step in implementing X1F Group’s sustainability strategy. The focus was not only on meeting regulatory requirements but also on using the results as a strategic tool.

“The analysis is not just a mandatory exercise; it’s a fantastic opportunity to understand the company better,” Alessa explains. Through workshops and interviews with stakeholders, key topics were identified that are relevant both to customers and internal processes.

This analysis helped identify areas with optimization potential and accurately assess risks and opportunities. At the same time, it served as a basis for prioritizing ESG measures. A particular focus was on better understanding customer requirements, which are increasingly oriented towards sustainability, and integrating them into the company’s strategy.

Through this analysis, awareness was also raised within the organization, uniting various departments and defining a common goal. This was essential for successfully implementing the sustainability strategy. Stakeholder workshops and interviews played a key role in understanding the expectations of internal and external stakeholders. Relevant risks and opportunities were identified that went beyond mere compliance.

A particularly valuable aspect was gaining insight into customer expectations, which are increasingly demanding higher sustainability standards. At the same time, the analysis helped uncover internal weaknesses and areas for improvement.

Another significant benefit of the Double Materiality Analysis was the creation of a unified understanding within the organization. By involving different departments and perspectives, a shared goal was established, forming the foundation for the next steps in the sustainability strategy.

4. Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthening Dialogue and Collaboration

In every company, it is important to know and understand its stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement was therefore a crucial success factor for X1F. By engaging in dialogue with customers, partners, and internal teams, valuable insights were gained, helping to identify relevant topics and build sustainable relationships.

Alessa highlights that stakeholder dialogue is not just about meeting regulatory requirements but also provides immense benefits for a company’s strategic direction: “We found that stakeholders often either understand the business but lack knowledge of sustainability or vice versa. Through targeted discussions, we were able to bring both perspectives together and develop effective solutions.”

Workshops, interviews, and direct conversations enabled X1F to better understand both external demands and internal challenges. The exchange with customers, in particular, provided valuable input for shaping the sustainability strategy. Alessa explains, “The input from customers and partners is incredibly valuable. It helps us develop better and more sustainable solutions.”

This dialogue not only contributed to optimizing existing processes but also opened up new opportunities for innovation. Furthermore, it strengthened trust and collaboration between X1F and its stakeholders. Through open communication, all participants were able to identify with the goals of the sustainability strategy.

5. Collaboration with Code Gaia and Support through Software Solutions

The implementation of software solutions such as Code Gaia was another important step in meeting CSRD requirements. These tools helped efficiently collect, analyze, and report data.

“We can finally consolidate data that previously just existed somewhere within the company. This creates entirely new possibilities,” explains Alessa. Through workshops with Code Gaia and direct discussions, all stakeholders aligned with the sustainability strategy’s goals.

Working and documenting within the software allowed X1F to optimize processes while improving data quality—essential for complying with CSRD standards. “Code Gaia not only provided a software solution, but also consulting and support in sustainability. This enabled us to form an effective partnership that helped us efficiently achieve our CSRD goals.”

6. Opportunities through ESG: Competitive Advantages and Innovation

Implementing CSRD has helped X1F Group not only comply with regulatory requirements but also unlock strategic opportunities. Alessa highlights that collaboration with stakeholders has generated valuable insights. “The input from customers and partners is incredibly valuable. It helps us develop better and more sustainable solutions,” she explains.

This exchange not only contributed to process optimization but also created new opportunities for innovation. For Alessa, ESG is much more than a legal obligation. She sees it as a platform to enhance the company’s competitiveness and ensure long-term success.

7. Conclusion: Sustainability as a Growth Opportunity

Alessa Jewko’s work demonstrates that sustainability is not just a legal obligation but also offers immense opportunities. With a clear strategy, strong leadership, and a cooperative approach, ESG can become a true growth driver.

“Sustainability is not a short-term trend. It is essential for a company’s long-term competitiveness,” Alessa concludes.

X1F serves as a role model for companies that see ESG not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity to secure their future viability.