At Coolset, we are dedicated to helping businesses navigate the often complicated world of sustainability compliance. A key figure in this effort is Jasper Akkermans, one of our Sustainability Researchers, who plays an essential role in keeping our customers informed and compliant with evolving regulations such as CSRD.

In this interview, Jasper offers insights into his daily work, the challenges of CSRD reporting, and the rewarding moments that make his role at Coolset impactful.

Let’s start with your role at Coolset. What’s your position, and what does your day-to-day look like?

Jasper: I’m one of the sustainability researchers at Coolset, and have been here for about a year and four months. I started on the carbon management team, helping businesses onboard with their scope 1, 2, and 3 assessments. Now, I focus on helping customers comply with CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). Together with the research team, I help build our CSRD software, which simplifies reporting within the Coolset platform.

You were involved in CSRD research in its very early stages. What motivated you to get into this topic ahead of others?

Jasper: I think we noticed early on that this was coming and compliance was going to play a big role. So the research team and I started investigating what we needed to create a complete software that includes everything for CSRD. It was an exciting collaboration between research and engineering to build the product we have today.

What are the biggest challenges you encounter in your work?

Jasper: When I started researching CSRD about 10 months ago, there was almost no information available. Everything was in draft form, and companies were keeping their research private. Now, it’s amazing to see how much the field has evolved, and how collaborative it has become.

The new challenge now is to keep up with the regulations. There’s still a lot of ambiguity in some areas, and even the European Union sometimes struggles to provide clear guidelines. That also makes it hard for businesses to know how to implement them.

How do you tackle the ambiguity and keep up with the changes in regulations?

To stay ahead, my team and I are always reviewing the latest updates from regulatory bodies like EFRAG. We attend webinars, talk to auditors, and make sure our platform reflects the most up-to-date regulations, so customers don’t have to take this time-consuming task upon themselves.

How does your work make CSRD more accessible to businesses?

Jasper: For many companies, especially mid-market businesses, sustainability reporting can feel overwhelming. What we do at Coolset is break down the complex requirements of CSRD, providing a structured, logical approach to compliance. We simplify everything for our customers so they know exactly where and what to report.

We’ve also developed a comprehensive support system of webinars, accelerators, articles and one-on-one sessions that guide businesses at every step of their journey. It’s not just about compliance; we’re helping companies become more efficient and confident in their sustainability efforts.

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If you could give one piece of advice to businesses preparing for CSRD, what would it be?

Jasper: (laughs) Get Coolset! But seriously, businesses need to understand the full scope of what’s coming. Many companies underestimate how much time and resources it will take.

Getting compliant is a lot of effort, but there are many benefits to it. CSRD can make a company more efficient, more inclusive, and even improve workplace culture. It opens up opportunities to ask important questions, like, how do employees feel about the work environment? There’s a lot to gain from the process, and I don’t think the full positive impact of CSRD has been realized yet.

What have been some rewarding moments in your work so far?

Jasper: The most rewarding part is seeing the real-world impact of what we do. For example, we’ve had customers switch to electric vehicles, insulate whole buildings, and even change suppliers based on our recommendations. Seeing these tangible changes and knowing that we’ve made a difference is really fulfilling.

Looking ahead, what’s next for sustainability and compliance at Coolset?

Jasper: As the sustainability landscape continues to evolve, our focus is on staying ahead of the curve. We’re committed to providing businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate complex regulations like CSRD. Our goal isn’t just to help companies stay compliant but to help them thrive and become more sustainable in the process.

If anyone needs guidance on how Coolset can help their business with sustainability compliance, we’re always ready to support them and make the process as smooth and impactful as possible.