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End of Summer, Start of Something BiggerSummer may be coming to an end, but there has been very little slowing down for Us.In our previous newsletter, we invited you to discover Hainan from a different perspective and explore how China and particularly the Hainan Free Trade Port is finding its place in the global sustainability conversation. (Continue watching the episodes via the youtube links below.)This month, we continue that international perspective, while also sharing some important developments closer to home: a new milestone for ESG Academy, the continued expansion of our international expert network, preparations for the Air Cargo &amp; Logistics Forum Shanghai, important developments for ANSPs working with GreenATM — and something much bigger happening across our businesses.<figure id="figure-6fhabq92lmtiisxen" class=""><iframe id="6fhabq92lmtiisxen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_KA2rccmZH0" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/_KA2rccmZH0?si=cjJJ8o63I5C0P2LB" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_KA2rccmZH0" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><figure class="">Episode Five</figure>The Economics of SportIn Episode 5 of Visions on the Hainan Free Trade Port, the roundtable explored how sport can become an economic driver for Hainan. From proposals for international marathons to the importance of building a strong local sports culture, the discussion looked beyond the game itself to tourism, investment, jobs, and international visibility.Our Founder &amp; CEO, <a data-mce-href="http://www.francinecarron.com" href="http://www.francinecarron.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Francine Carron</a>, cited Sanya’s previous Formula E event as evidence that Hainan is not starting from scratch. The opportunity is to build on what already exists and use sport as another tool for sustainable tourism, economic development and global positioning.<figure id="figure-oblprysmdpmtiiu39k"><iframe id="oblprysmdpmtiiu39k" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ByiAm7o0mZo" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/ByiAm7o0mZo?si=t4tgAWjyxxC2NmaU" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ByiAm7o0mZo" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>Episode 6From Tomorrowland to Hainan: The Power of IPIn Episode 6 of Visions on the Hainan Free Trade Port, the roundtable explored intellectual property and how an idea can become an economic asset. IP is much more than patents and trademarks; it can be an event, an experience, a cultural identity or even the brand of a place.Our Founder &amp; CEO, Francine Carron, brought the discussion back to Belgium and used Tomorrowland as an example of how a festival can grow into a globally recognized brand, creating value far beyond the event itself through tourism, employment, media and international exposure.The question for Hainan was therefore simple: what could Hainan create that one day becomes globally recognized IP of its own?<figure id="figure-vnxqsjsm55mtiivbip"><iframe id="vnxqsjsm55mtiivbip" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3AJ1aQGiEYM" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/3AJ1aQGiEYM" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3AJ1aQGiEYM" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>Episode SevenA Coconut Is Not Just a CoconutIn Episode 7 of Visions on the Hainan Free Trade Port, the roundtable turned to one of Hainan’s most recognizable symbols: the coconut.Our Founder &amp; CEO, <a data-mce-href="http://www.francinecarron.com" href="http://www.francinecarron.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Francine Carron</a>, used the simple “economics of a coconut” to explain value creation. Sell a coconut as a raw agricultural product and it has one value. Transform it into coconut water, oil, cosmetics, or other products; use more of its by-products; add branding, sustainability, and international market access—and suddenly the same coconut represents an entire value chain.The coconut became an analogy for Hainan itself: the opportunity is not simply to use what the island already has, but to create greater, more sustainable value from it.<figure id="figure-y26m662h56mtiivwbj" class=""><iframe id="y26m662h56mtiivwbj" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4vTccmesJKw" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/4vTccmesJKw" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4vTccmesJKw" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>Episode EightWhy People Come to Hainan, and Why They StayIn the final episode of Visions on the Hainan Free Trade Port, the discussion became more personal: what actually makes people choose to stay in Hainan?Our Founder &amp; CEO, <a data-mce-href="http://www.francinecarron.com" href="http://www.francinecarron.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Francine Carron</a>, explained that policies may initially attract people and businesses, but they are not necessarily what makes them stay. Hainan offers an unusual combination: you can build an international business, study Chinese, enjoy the tropical weather, surf, meet an international community, and still develop professionally all in the same place.For Francine, this is an important part of Hainan’s competitive advantage. Policies can attract talent, but community, opportunity, and quality of life are what turn a business destination into a place people want to call home.<figure id="figure-tmzsvhb44wmtiiwfjw"><iframe id="tmzsvhb44wmtiiwfjw" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O1ENlmWxzMc" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/O1ENlmWxzMc" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O1ENlmWxzMc" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>From Hainan to Rwanda: Sustainability Looks Different EverywhereOver the summer, we continued sharing perspectives on sustainability from very different parts of the world.Our Vision of Hainan Free Trade Port series offered another look at Hainan and the transformation taking place around us in China.But we didn’t only highlight Hainan.Through our FranESG podcast, we traveled virtually to Rwanda to explore sustainable tourism and what sustainability looks like when environmental protection, communities, economic development, and tourism have to work together.Different countries. Different sectors. Different realities.But one common message:There is no single sustainability transition.Understanding the local context is what turns ESG from theory into something that actually works.🎧 <a data-mce-href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MhjNGIZnz8mMUG7HHfLko?si=gew9AqN1REqfh3Gxva2VgQ&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=8542477eae594cae" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MhjNGIZnz8mMUG7HHfLko?si=gew9AqN1REqfh3Gxva2VgQ&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=8542477eae594cae" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Listen to our Sustainable Tourism episode</a> here or watch via YouTube.<figure id="figure-vsg5v3xnrmtiiwxmr"><img id="vsg5v3xnrmtiiwxmr" src="https://cdn.durable.co/profile/108XQUCZqvPkP9wNtFDvoQjnRexGSYA39imlMZayNi7mQ7YckapG0JsRrM0vQ9n5.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 20%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="20%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/profile/108XQUCZqvPkP9wNtFDvoQjnRexGSYA39imlMZayNi7mQ7YckapG0JsRrM0vQ9n5.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 20%;"></figure>Keep Learning: A Milestone for ESG AcademyFor some, school has already started again. For others, there are still a few precious weeks of summer left. Either way, we have one recommendation: Keep learning. ESG is changing too quickly for sustainability knowledge to stand still.And this summer, we reached an important milestone of our own.We are very proud to announce that the <a data-mce-href="http://www.esgacademy.education" href="http://www.esgacademy.education" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESG Academy</a> trademark has now officially been registered.What began as an idea to make complex ESG knowledge practical and understandable has developed into a growing education business delivering training for companies, professionals and teams navigating sustainability in practice.From European ESG regulation and sustainable procurement to aviation, carbon, reporting and international market access, ESG Academy is designed around one principle:People should leave knowing what to do differently — not simply knowing more terminology.🎓 Discover<a data-mce-href="http://www.esgacademy.education" href="http://www.esgacademy.education" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> ESG Academy</a> <figure id="figure-mti0rl2nucmtiixr5m"><img id="mti0rl2nucmtiixr5m" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/34jPZjK8hm0KvszwDbx4slSpDBICjeWYlWq423oUJXvWsr3e19FZnLXXMEvEkHSn.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="25%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/34jPZjK8hm0KvszwDbx4slSpDBICjeWYlWq423oUJXvWsr3e19FZnLXXMEvEkHSn.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 25%;"></figure> Our International Expert Network Is GrowingWe are also continuing to expand our international network of freelance ESG specialists.As our projects become increasingly international and specialized, we are looking for experienced, independent professionals to join us on assignments across markets and ESG disciplines.We are particularly interested in specialists across sustainability reporting, carbon, climate, sustainable finance, supply chains, aviation, mining, social sustainability, GHG calculators, airport carbon verifiers, ESG regulation, and related technical areas.Freelancers must be able to work independently and invoice professionally, including holding the appropriate VAT/tax registration for their jurisdiction. Interested in joining our international project network?📩 Send your CV and area of expertise: esgemployment@hello@esg-consultancy.be&nbsp; <figure id="figure-inbvf9nhbemtiiygct"><img id="inbvf9nhbemtiiygct" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3Zt93FoDE2sr7PkDxmM6dGgkVcREkbf2mNJW6v0KXq6ECl5kILV5L7nxAm5aSAs4.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3Zt93FoDE2sr7PkDxmM6dGgkVcREkbf2mNJW6v0KXq6ECl5kILV5L7nxAm5aSAs4.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>From Services to a GroupPerhaps the biggest development this summer is one that has been taking shape quietly for some time.Over the years, many of our businesses started in exactly the same way:First as ideas. Then as services. And eventually as businesses in their own right.To serve our clients better and make the growing range of expertise easier to navigate, we have now brought these businesses together under <a data-mce-href="http://www.carronesggroup.com" href="http://www.carronesggroup.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carron ESG Group</a>.The Group creates one home for our growing ecosystem of specialist businesses, while allowing each company to retain its own focus and expertise.For clients, the principle is simple: one group, access to a much broader sustainability ecosystem.Whether the need is ESG advisory, specialist talent, professional education, responsible sourcing, sustainable fuels, carbon markets or international trade, we can increasingly bring the right expertise together around the same client challenge.🌍 Discover <a data-mce-href="http://www.carronesggroup.com" href="http://www.carronesggroup.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carron ESG Group</a> <figure id="figure-phbfoh4mvlmtiiyp75"><img id="phbfoh4mvlmtiiyp75" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15tPERfhNota1LQuB9wSPfEfeTT3Tiw3NM5nKUnk7HQkLDdFXlSOt9tjpYmOtfUu.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15tPERfhNota1LQuB9wSPfEfeTT3Tiw3NM5nKUnk7HQkLDdFXlSOt9tjpYmOtfUu.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Next Stop: Shanghai — Air Cargo, Logistics &amp; SustainabilitySeptember will take us back into aviation.We are preparing for<a data-mce-href="https://www.wernosa.com/nd.jsp?id=192" href="https://www.wernosa.com/nd.jsp?id=192"> Air Cargo &amp; Logistics in Shanghai</a>, where sustainability, global trade and logistics will once again come together.Air cargo is facing some of the most interesting sustainability questions in aviation: emissions, SAF, customer expectations, supply-chain transparency, and the increasing demand for credible ESG performance.It is also an area where our work is expanding.If you will be in Shanghai and would like to discuss air cargo ESG, sustainability maturity, SAF, or international ESG requirements, reach out to us before the event.📩 Meeting us in Shanghai? <a href="mailto:hello@esg-consultancy.be" data-mce-href="mailto:hello@esg-consultancy.be">hello@esg-consultancy.be</a> <figure id="figure-dn091zzgpgmtiizdde"><img id="dn091zzgpgmtiizdde" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/33bS7oFXycJh7GLz0jcCoi8jAfpWblvxTodS3YRtN622sRZ9x6oUeEtTdnVHImMW.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/33bS7oFXycJh7GLz0jcCoi8jAfpWblvxTodS3YRtN622sRZ9x6oUeEtTdnVHImMW.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>For ANSPs: Have You Seen the New GreenATM Questionnaire?For our ANSP readers, there is another important development.Have you already reviewed the new GreenATM questionnaire?If you are wondering how the new questionnaire differs from the previous version — or what those changes could mean for your next assessment — speak to us.We support ANSPs with:<ul style="list-style-type: circle;" data-mce-style="list-style-type: circle;"><li>GreenATM gap analyses</li><li>GreenATM submission preparation and support</li><li>Evidence structuring and maturity assessments</li><li>Progression towards higher GreenATM maturity levels</li><li>Broader ESG frameworks for air navigation service providers</li></ul>The objective is not simply to complete another questionnaire.It is to understand where your organization stands, to identify gaps early, and to build the evidence and governance needed for a strong submission.Unsure what the new GreenATM requirements mean for your ANSP? We can help you work through them.📩 Request GreenATM support: <a href="mailto:hello@esg-consultancy.be" data-mce-href="mailto:hello@esg-consultancy.be">hello@esg-consultancy.be</a>&nbsp;<figure id="figure-ljpgp9asarmtij03yv"><img id="ljpgp9asarmtij03yv" src="https://cdn.durable.co/logos/33HvTWfNyqOCq9FPee96NXLoYav6u4g19rK3FCucuYQQdP8gIoymdtp7DJd13iYn.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: 25% 15%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionX="25%" data-positionY="15%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>And If ESG Is Starting to Feel Complicated…Between changing European regulation, customer questionnaires, EcoVadis, carbon requirements, supply-chain expectations and sector-specific programs, organizations are understandably asking:What actually applies to us?That is exactly the question we like answering.If your organization is struggling to understand the ESG market, changing regulations, buyer requirements, or where to start, reach out.No vague sustainability language.We explain what matters to your business, why it matters, and what you actually need to do next.📩 Talk to <a data-mce-href="http://www.esg-consultancy.be" href="http://www.esg-consultancy.be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESG Consultancy</a>As summer draws to a close, we are looking forward to a very busy final part of 2026 — with new projects, new markets and plenty more to share.Thank you, as always, for following our journey.Warm Regards,&nbsp;ESG Consultancy&nbsp;

End of Summer - Newsletter

<h3>Can Tourism Become a Force for Conservation?</h3> What if travelling could do more than take us somewhere beautiful? What if tourism could protect biodiversity, create livelihoods, strengthen local communities and give people an economic reason to conserve the places they call home?That is the conversation at the heart of the latest Fran ESG Podcast.In our new episode, I travel—at least through conversation—back to Rwanda with Innocent Twagiramukiza, Founder of Green Hills Ecotours, to explore what sustainable tourism looks like when it moves beyond good intentions and becomes something practical.Sustainable Tourism Is About More Than Being “Green” Sustainable tourism is sometimes reduced to eco-lodges, reusable bottles or asking hotel guests not to wash their towels every day.Our conversation goes much further.For Innocent, responsible tourism means considering the impact tourism has on nature, local culture, livelihoods and the communities receiving visitors.And that raises an important ESG question:Who actually benefits from tourism?If visitors enjoy extraordinary landscapes and wildlife while the surrounding communities see little economic benefit, can we really call that tourism sustainable?When Conservation Creates Opportunity One of the most powerful parts of our conversation concerns the relationship between tourism and conservation.Tourism can undoubtedly put pressure on ecosystems when it is poorly managed. But it can also create an economic incentive to protect them.When tourism creates jobs and revenue for communities living around important natural areas, conservation acquires a very different meaning.People are no longer being asked simply to protect nature because someone else says they should. Protecting that environment can become connected to their own livelihoods and the future prosperity of their communities.That is where sustainable tourism becomes particularly interesting from an ESG perspective: environmental protection and social development begin reinforcing one another.Putting Local Communities at the Centre Innocent’s approach through Green Hills Ecotours is based on giving travellers an authentic experience of Rwanda while creating opportunities for the people who live there.That means looking beyond the traditional tourist itinerary and connecting visitors with local communities, culture, agriculture and entrepreneurship.Experiences such as coffee and tea tours allow visitors to understand where products come from and meet some of the people behind them.Instead of communities simply existing in the background of someone’s holiday photographs, they become active participants in the tourism economy.And that matters.Sustainable tourism should not only minimise negative impacts. It should create positive ones.Brewing a Better World Perhaps one of my favourite parts of our conversation is Innocent’s story about coffee.His work eventually led him to create Better World Coffee, connecting Rwanda’s coffee culture with tourism and community development.Coffee is something millions of us consume without thinking very much about the journey behind it.But behind every cup are farmers, communities, land, water, livelihoods and an entire value chain.By allowing travellers to experience that journey—from the farm towards the finished cup—tourism can create a connection between the consumer and the producer that rarely exists in conventional supply chains.It is a small example of a much bigger sustainability principle:When we understand where something comes from, we begin to understand its true value.What Can Travellers Do?Sustainable tourism isn’t solely the responsibility of governments, hotels or tour operators.Travellers make choices too.Where do we stay?Who organises our excursions?Where do we eat?What do we buy?Do we choose locally owned businesses?Do the people whose culture, landscapes and wildlife we have travelled thousands of kilometres to experience actually benefit from our presence?Responsible travel does not necessarily mean giving up extraordinary experiences.It means becoming more conscious about who and what our travel supports.What Tourism Can Teach Us About ESG Although this episode focuses on tourism, I think its message goes much further.The best sustainability strategies do not treat the E, the S and the G as three separate boxes.Protecting an ecosystem can create economic opportunity.Creating local livelihoods can strengthen conservation.Responsible business models can generate commercial value while producing positive social outcomes.That is ultimately what ESG should be about: understanding these connections and building better business models around them.<a data-mce-href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MhjNGIZnz8mMUG7HHfLko?si=gew9AqN1REqfh3Gxva2VgQ" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MhjNGIZnz8mMUG7HHfLko?si=gew9AqN1REqfh3Gxva2VgQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">🎙️ Listen to the New Fran ESG Podcast</a> In this episode, Innocent Twagiramukiza, Founder of Green Hills Ecotours, and I discuss:<ul><li>what sustainable tourism really means;</li><li>how tourism can contribute to conservation;</li><li>protecting wildlife and biodiversity;</li><li>ensuring local communities benefit from tourism;</li><li>Rwanda’s experience with responsible tourism;</li><li>the business case for sustainability;</li><li>what travellers themselves can do differently;</li><li>and how Better World Coffee connects tourism, agriculture and community livelihoods.</li></ul> If you work in ESG, tourism, hospitality, conservation, community development or responsible business—or you’re simply someone who loves travelling—I hope this conversation makes you think a little differently about your next journey.<a data-mce-href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MhjNGIZnz8mMUG7HHfLko?si=gew9AqN1REqfh3Gxva2VgQ" href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MhjNGIZnz8mMUG7HHfLko?si=gew9AqN1REqfh3Gxva2VgQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">🎧 The Sustainable Tourism episode of the Fran ESG Podcast is now available on Spotify.</a>And perhaps the question to take with you on your next trip is a simple one:Will the place I visit be better because I was there? &nbsp; <a href="https://carrongesggroup.com/media" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://carrongesggroup.com/media">https://carrongesggroup.com/media</a> The Fran ESG Podcast brings together sustainability leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and practitioners from around the world to explore what ESG looks like in practice.The podcast is hosted by <a data-mce-href="http://www.francinecarron.com" href="http://www.francinecarron.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Francine Carron</a>, Founder and CEO of ESG Consultancy. <figure id="figure-pr48c5r03vmt1fape6"><img id="pr48c5r03vmt1fape6" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/5fMKGfNhfGPIbB7FB3jUG9mld6CG7L9ZufryGkyGqSkcjPJbSLG56WJctbudPD7N.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 40%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="40%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/5fMKGfNhfGPIbB7FB3jUG9mld6CG7L9ZufryGkyGqSkcjPJbSLG56WJctbudPD7N.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 40%;"></figure>For ESG strategy, international sustainability advisory, training and practical ESG implementation, visit <a data-mce-href="http://www.esg-consultancy.be" href="http://www.esg-consultancy.be" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">www.esg-consultancy.be</a>

New Fran ESG Podcast:Can Tourism Become a Force for Conservation?

Time for an upgrade: Welcome to Carron® ESG Group 🌍<figure id="figure-3ohoslbhnmt1dvq6m"><img id="3ohoslbhnmt1dvq6m" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3Zt93FoDE2sr7PkDxmM6dGgkVcREkbf2mNJW6v0KXq6ECl5kILV5L7nxAm5aSAs4.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3Zt93FoDE2sr7PkDxmM6dGgkVcREkbf2mNJW6v0KXq6ECl5kILV5L7nxAm5aSAs4.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>What started with ESG Consultancy has kept growing.New ideas became services. Services became businesses. And suddenly, we had reached the point where we needed one place to bring everything together.So we created <a data-mce-href="http://www.carronesggroup.com" href="http://www.carronesggroup.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carron ESG Group</a>.One group connecting our specialist businesses:🌿 <a data-mce-href="http://www.esg-consultancy.be" href="http://www.esg-consultancy.be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESG Consultancy</a> — ESG strategy, implementation &amp; market access 👥 <a data-mce-href="http://www.esgemployment.com" href="http://www.esgemployment.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESG Employment</a> — executive search &amp; specialist ESG talent 🎓 <a data-mce-href="http://www.esgacademy.education" href="http://www.esgacademy.education" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESG Academy</a> — practical ESG training &amp; capability building 🌍 ESG Sourcing — sustainable sourcing &amp; responsible supply chains ✈️ ESG Fuels — sustainable fuels &amp; clean-energy transition 🤝 Conshire — international trade, sourcing &amp; market access 🌱 Premium Carbon Credits — high-integrity carbon-market solutionsEach business has its own expertise and purpose, but they are increasingly connected by the same clients, markets, knowledge and international network.The new group website makes that structure much clearer — and gives us room for whatever comes next.Our work now connects Europe, Asia and Africa, and I am incredibly excited to see where the next stage takes us.Welcome to <a data-mce-href="http://www.carronesggroup.com" href="http://www.carronesggroup.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carron® ESG Group</a>.One Group. Sustainable Solutions. Global Impact.<a data-mce-href="http://www.carronesggroup.com" href="http://www.carronesggroup.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.carronesggroup.com⁠&nbsp;</a>Read more here: <a data-mce-href="https://carrongesggroup.com/blog/time-for-an-upgrade-welcome-to-carron-esg-group" href="https://carrongesggroup.com/blog/time-for-an-upgrade-welcome-to-carron-esg-group">https://carrongesggroup.com/blog/time-for-an-upgrade-welcome-to-carron-esg-group</a>or on <a data-mce-href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carron-esg-group_time-for-an-upgrade-welcome-to-carron-esg-activity-7496148969341734912-VTC8?utm_medium=ios_app&amp;rcm=ACoAAARvSQEB9WA67KimgDSrcvrWfOE7J5FxHg0&amp;utm_source=social_share_send&amp;utm_campaign=copy_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carron-esg-group_time-for-an-upgrade-welcome-to-carron-esg-activity-7496148969341734912-VTC8?utm_medium=ios_app&amp;rcm=ACoAAARvSQEB9WA67KimgDSrcvrWfOE7J5FxHg0&amp;utm_source=social_share_send&amp;utm_campaign=copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;#CarronESGGroup #ESG #Sustainability #SustainableBusiness #GlobalBusiness #MarketAccess

Time for an upgrade: Welcome to Carron® ESG Group 🌍

<figure id="figure-szyos4t2qemsiu0hpe"><iframe id="szyos4t2qemsiu0hpe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4vTccmesJKw" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen data-url="https://youtu.be/4vTccmesJKw?si=zc_tZWbMrutuUOA_" data-corners="default" data-fullWidth="false"></iframe></figure>Why Do People Stay in Hainan? It Is Not Just About the PoliciesThroughout Visions on the Hainan Free Trade Port, produced by Hainan Media, the roundtable discussed many of the factors shaping Hainan’s future.Business.Investment.Climate.Tourism.Innovation.Sport.Intellectual property.And, of course, the policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port.But in the final episode, the roundtable turned to a much more personal question:Why do people actually stay in Hainan?The answer was surprisingly simple.It is not only because of the policies.It is because of the life you can build here.More Than a Business LocationPolicies may initially attract companies, entrepreneurs and international professionals to a region.But policies alone do not create a community.People stay because they build relationships. They develop routines. They discover opportunities. And eventually, a place starts to feel like home.For many people living in Hainan, one of the island’s greatest advantages is the ability to combine different parts of life that elsewhere can be difficult to bring together.You can build a business.<ul><li>Study Chinese.</li><li>Meet people from around the world.</li><li>Go surfing.</li><li>Spend time in nature.</li><li>Work internationally.</li><li>And still enjoy a tropical lifestyle.</li></ul>Sometimes all in the same day.Quality of Life Is Also an Economic AdvantageWhen discussing competitiveness, we often focus on taxation, infrastructure, regulation and market access.These are important.But there is another factor that is sometimes underestimated:Quality of life.Companies need people.And talented people increasingly have choices about where they live and work.A region that can attract people but cannot convince them to stay will always struggle to build a sustainable international business ecosystem.Community, lifestyle, education, culture, nature and wellbeing therefore become part of economic competitiveness.Why We Chose HainanThis also reflects our own experience establishing ESG Sustainable Consulting in Hainan.The Free Trade Port policies were certainly interesting.But they were never the only reason for choosing the island.Hainan offered something broader: an international outlook, a strong focus on green development, a growing business environment and a lifestyle that made it possible to combine professional ambitions with quality of life.For a company working in ESG and sustainability, that alignment mattered.Sustainability Is Also About PeopleThere is an ESG lesson here too.Sustainable development is not only about carbon emissions, renewable energy or environmental regulation.The S matters.Communities matter.Wellbeing matters.Education matters.Creating places where people genuinely want to live matters.A sustainable economy ultimately needs people who want to participate in it.The Final Lesson From HainanPerhaps this was an appropriate way to conclude the series.The roundtable started by asking what Hainan could become and it ended by asking why people choose to stay.The answer cannot be found in one policy document.It is found in the combination of opportunity and lifestyle.Business and community.Internationalisation and local culture.Work and wellbeing.For many people, that combination is what makes Hainan different.You can come for the policies.You can come for the business opportunities.You can come for the weather.But ultimately, you stay because you discover a way of life that is difficult to replicate somewhere else.And perhaps that is one of Hainan’s most valuable competitive advantages of all.⸻This article is inspired by the final episode of Visions on the Hainan Free Trade Port, produced by Hainan Media, where the roundtable explored why people choose not only to come to Hainan, but to build their lives here.

Why Do People Stay in Hainan? It Is Not Just About the Policies

<figure id="figure-38xnvh9e0emsithg13"><iframe id="38xnvh9e0emsithg13" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3AJ1aQGiEYM" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/3AJ1aQGiEYM?si=jjMVcYoZ64NNo1SZ" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3AJ1aQGiEYM" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure>Copyright Hainan Media&nbsp;A Coconut Is Not Just a Coconut: What Hainan Can Teach Us About Creating ValueIn another episode of Visions on the Hainan Free Trade Port, produced by Hainan Media, the roundtable turned to one of the most recognisable symbols of Hainan:The coconut.Coconut trees are everywhere on the island. They are part of Hainan’s landscape, culture and identity.But during the discussion, our Founder &amp; CEO,<a data-mce-href="http://www.francinecarron.com" href="http://www.francinecarron.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Francine Carron</a>, looked at the coconut from a slightly different perspective.She looked at its economics.Because a coconut is not just a coconut.The Economics of a CoconutImagine selling one coconut as an agricultural product.It has a certain value.Now open it, process it and sell the coconut water.The value changes.Turn the flesh into coconut milk, coconut oil, food products or cosmetics, and the value changes again.The shell and fibres can also become useful materials and products rather than simply being treated as waste.Then add processing, design, sustainability, certification, packaging, branding and access to international markets.Suddenly, the economic value generated from that original coconut can be very different.The raw material hasn’t fundamentally changed.What changed is the value we created around it.That is the principle of value addition.And That Coconut Can Also Be HainanThe coconut became a simple analogy for something much bigger.Hainan itself.Hainan already possesses extraordinary assets: its tropical climate, natural environment, agricultural products, coastline, tourism appeal, geographical position, culture and the policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port.But possessing an asset is not the same as maximising its value.The question is what you build around it.<ul><li>Can agricultural products become premium sustainable brands?</li><li>Can tourism evolve towards higher-value and more sustainable experiences?</li><li>Can Hainan’s climate become an advantage for testing new technologies?</li><li>Can its international position create new opportunities in trade, professional services and education?</li><li>Can local resources support circular business models where more value remains within the local economy?</li></ul>This is where the coconut analogy becomes interesting.Hainan does not necessarily need to become something completely different.It can create significantly more value from what it already has.The ESG ConnectionThis is also an important ESG lesson.Sustainability is sometimes presented as an additional cost to business.We see it differently.Done well, sustainability can be part of the value-creation process.Better resource efficiency can reduce waste.Traceability can increase buyer confidence.Responsible sourcing can strengthen market access.Good governance can reduce uncertainty for investors and business partners.Sustainable production can help differentiate a product.And credible ESG information can make it easier for international customers to understand and trust a supplier.That is why ESG should not sit separately from commercial strategy.The real question is not simply:“How sustainable is this coconut?”It is:“How can sustainability help us create more value from this coconut?”From Raw Materials to Sustainable ValueThis question is particularly relevant for regions rich in natural resources.Exporting raw materials captures only one part of the potential economic value.Processing them locally, developing expertise, creating intellectual property, building brands, improving sustainability and connecting products to international markets can capture much more of the value chain.And that can mean more than higher revenues.It can mean local employment, new skills, entrepreneurship, stronger businesses and greater economic resilience.A Simple Coconut, A Much Bigger IdeaPerhaps that is why the coconut worked so well during the discussion.Everybody understands a coconut.But behind that simple product sits a much larger economic question:Do we simply sell what we have, or do we create value from what we have?For Hainan, the opportunity of the Free Trade Port is not simply to trade more.It is to create more value.To take the island’s existing strengths and combine them with innovation, sustainability, internationalisation and entrepreneurship.A coconut is not just a coconut.And Hainan is not just an island.Both become considerably more valuable when we start thinking about what can be built around them.⸻This article is inspired by an episode of Visions on the Hainan Free Trade Port, produced by Hainan Media, in which our Founder &amp; CEO Francine Carron joined the roundtable discussion on the coconut as a symbol of Hainan and used its value chain to illustrate a much broader lesson about sustainable economic development.Read more on Linkedin:&nbsp;

A Coconut Is Not Just a Coconut: What Hainan Can Teach Us About Creating Value

<h2><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">From Tomorrowland to Hainan: Can Intellectual Property Become an Economic Engine? </h2><figure id="figure-t5hpxuzdnomshkv6g9"><iframe id="t5hpxuzdnomshkv6g9" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ByiAm7o0mZo" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/ByiAm7o0mZo?feature=shared" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ByiAm7o0mZo" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></iframe></figure><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(16px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">In a new episode of Visions on the Hainan Free Trade Port, produced by Hainan Media, our roundtable discussion explored an interesting question: <h3>How can intellectual property (IP) contribute to regional economic development?</h3>When people hear the term “IP,” they often think about trademarks or patents.But some of the world’s most successful intellectual property is built around experiences, events, and brands.<h3>A Belgian Success Story</h3>During the discussion, our Founder &amp; CEO, Francine Carron, shared an example from her home country, Belgium.She spoke about Tomorrowland.What started as a music festival has grown into one of the world’s most recognised entertainment brands.Today, Tomorrowland attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the globe, generates significant tourism revenue, supports local businesses, creates employment, and has expanded into merchandise, media, digital experiences, and international editions.It is no longer simply a festival.It has become an internationally recognised intellectual property.<h3>From Event to Economic Ecosystem</h3>The success of Tomorrowland demonstrates an important lesson.Strong intellectual property creates far more than ticket sales.It creates an entire economic ecosystem.Hotels.Restaurants.Transportation.Retail.Creative industries.Media.International tourism.The value extends far beyond the event itself.<h3>What Could This Mean for Hainan?</h3>As the Hainan Free Trade Port continues to develop, there is an opportunity to build internationally recognised brands rooted in the island’s own identity.Whether through culture, tourism, sport, innovation, agriculture, or entertainment, intellectual property has the potential to become a long-term driver of sustainable economic growth.The question is no longer:How do we organise an event?The question becomes:How do we create an internationally recognised brand?<h3>An ESG Perspective</h3>At ESG Consultancy, we often emphasise that sustainable development is about creating long-term value.Intellectual property is one way regions can achieve exactly that.Strong brands attract investment.Support local communities.Create employment.Strengthen international recognition.And contribute to long-term economic resilience.Sometimes, one great idea can become an asset that benefits an entire region for decades.This article is inspired by the latest episode of Visions on the Hainan Free Trade Port, where participants explored how intellectual property can create lasting economic value and how regions can transform ideas into globally recognised brands.More on Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/francinecarron_another-episode-of-visions-on-the-hainan-ugcPost-7491132699945054208-ZokA/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_ios&amp;rcm=ACoAAARvSQEB9WA67KimgDSrcvrWfOE7J5FxHg0" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/francinecarron_another-episode-of-visions-on-the-hainan-ugcPost-7491132699945054208-ZokA/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_ios&amp;rcm=ACoAAARvSQEB9WA67KimgDSrcvrWfOE7J5FxHg0">Can Hainan have its own IP? Lessons from Tomorrowland </a>

From Tomorrowland to Hainan: Can Intellectual Property Become an Economic Engine?

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We are an ESG consultancy specializing in aviation, EU regulatory compliance and market access. We help airlines, air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and airports implement ESG systems, prepare for Green ATM submissions, and meet CORSIA and EU ETS requirements. We also support global and Chinese companies in responding to ESG audits and aligning with EU regulations such as CSRD and CBAM through structured data, governance systems and audit-ready processes.

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New Fran ESG Podcast:Can Tourism Become a Force for Conse...

Time for an upgrade: Welcome to Carron® ESG Group 🌍

Why Do People Stay in Hainan? It Is Not Just About the Po...

A Coconut Is Not Just a Coconut: What Hainan Can Teach Us...

From Tomorrowland to Hainan: Can Intellectual Property Be...