🌍 Why Helping an Animal Sanctuary Can Improve Your Company’s ESG Rating

In the construction and infrastructure sector, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance are no longer optional. Companies are expected to demonstrate measurable commitment not only to quality and safety, but also to the environment, local communities, and ethical values.

While many businesses focus their efforts on reducing emissions or improving compliance, there is one area often overlooked — supporting impactful social projects, like animal sanctuaries. Surprisingly, doing so can strengthen your ESG rating and open new doors in public procurement and stakeholder trust.

What Is an ESG Rating — and Why Does It Matter?

An ESG rating evaluates how well your company performs in:

• Environmental: emissions, resource efficiency, biodiversity impact
• Social: community support, employee wellbeing, ethical partnerships
• Governance: transparency, risk management, anti-corruption

Public institutions, investors, and private clients increasingly use ESG scores to select partners and suppliers. In construction, a strong ESG rating can:

• Improve your chances of winning public tenders
• Enhance reputation among stakeholders
• Attract international partners and joint ventures
• Reduce long-term risk and increase funding opportunities

CSR That Counts: From Paper to Practice

Too often, CSR is treated as a checkbox — a set of vague policies or unmeasurable goals. But real CSR happens when a company acts with intention and invests in projects that produce tangible, verifiable impact.

That’s where social and environmental initiatives — like supporting a sanctuary — come in. Unlike general greenwashing, these partnerships can be documented, communicated, and measured.

✅ Read our article on CSR in construction

Why Support an Animal Sanctuary?

Supporting a registered sanctuary like Sotto la Panca, which rescues farm animals and promotes environmental education, has multiple ESG benefits:

• Environmental: sanctuaries reduce emissions by keeping animals out of the industrial farming cycle
• Social: they offer educational and therapeutic programmes, create jobs, and regenerate rural areas
• Governance: partnerships are transparent and publicly reportable

This type of support can be included in your sustainability report, tender documentation, or even featured in a certified ESG strategy.

Training and ESG Go Hand in Hand

Companies that invest in sustainability also invest in people. At Dirextra, we help construction firms align their workforce with ESG goals through:

• The International Master in Construction & Infrastructure
• The Mini Master "Cantiere a Impatto Zero", focused on low-emission strategies in public works
• Partnerships with ethical suppliers and training entities

These programmes help professionals build and document real sustainability, in line with European directives and PNRR expectations.

Final Thoughts: Purpose Is a Competitive Advantage

Today’s public and private markets demand more than performance. They demand purpose. Supporting a project like an animal sanctuary is not charity — it’s an act of leadership that contributes to social cohesion, environmental health, and reputational strength.

And that’s exactly what ESG is about.

👉 Support a sanctuary with us
👉 Explore Dirextra’s ESG-aligned master programmes