A "best practice" refers to a method or technique that is widely recognized as being superior to other available alternatives due to its ability to consistently yield better results. This recognition could be based on its effectiveness, efficiency, or its alignment with established standards, such as legal or ethical requirements. Best practices are employed to uphold and enhance quality, serving as a substitute for mandatory legislated standards. They can be established through processes like self-assessment or benchmarking. Accredited management standards, such as ISO 9000 and ISO 14001, often incorporate best practices as a core feature. These standards help organizations achieve and maintain high levels of performance and compliance. In various fields, including strategic management, agriculture, manufacturing, laboratory work, clinical research, and distribution, the concept of best practice finds specialized applications. For instance, terms like "good agricultural practices," "good manufacturing practice," "good laboratory practice," and "good clinical practice" refer to specific sets of guidelines and methods that are considered optimal for their respective domains. Moreover, best practices are employed as a form of program evaluation in public policy. When addressing complex policy issues, analysts may explore successful past approaches to similar problems and consider their potential applicability to the current situation. However, the term "best" introduces a degree of subjectivity, leading to potential vagueness in its interpretation. As a result, rather than strictly determining a practice as "the best," it is often more useful to identify practices that have demonstrated exceptional effectiveness and analyze the reasons behind their success. Consequently, a practice could be labeled as a "smart practice," a "good practice," or a "promising practice," allowing for a flexible and adaptable approach that draws from a mix of successful strategies. This approach recognizes that different organizations may possess unique qualities, requiring a balance between shared practices and tailored solutions when implementing best practices.

Company: Deloitte - Educational internal webinar series "ESG Academy"

Deloitte has launched an educational program featuring in-house webinars focused on ESG challenges. These sessions equip employees from different departments to understand and communicate the impact of ESG issues on clients' operations and value. With four webinars in 2021, engaging 800 participants, Deloitte addresses the growing importance of ESG in business. The initiative aims to empower employees to guide clients in mitigating risks and leveraging opportunities for long-term success.

Company: BASF – Change for the climate

This energy-intensive chemical company is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 through innovative approaches. They challenge norms, draw inspiration from unconventional sources, and are constructing a massive offshore wind farm to power their facilities across Europe. Additionally, they're pioneering industrial-scale heat pumps to utilize waste heat for steam generation, significantly reducing fossil fuel dependency and aiming for a 25% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 en route to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

Company: MAKRO Polska – Promoting sustainability trends and responsible consumption

MAKRO embraced sustainability and responsible consumption by showcasing an ecological stand at the Chefs' Congress. Crafted from wood-based materials like unpainted plywood and eco-friendly dispa boards, the stand's design ensures 90% recyclability in line with circular economy principles. Utilizing energy-efficient LED lighting and organic decorations, MAKRO's approach stands out as an eco-conscious solution for waste-intensive events. Additionally, transitioning from printed books to e-books and introducing the Vege dish book promotes greener practices, measured through booth reuse, reduced paper usage, and increased engagement with Vegan books, ultimately fostering material savings, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and a circular economy mindset.