CEO Nikolaus Dürk writes in the current foreword:
"Our third sustainability report is not a milestone in the traditional sense. Rather, it shows the progression of a path that we have been travelling together for years."
We spoke to him and Katharina Kloiber, CFO at X-Net, about why sustainability at X-Net goes far beyond ecological measures - and how employees become co-creators in the process.
"We don't just want to report - we want to think ahead"
schongenial: Mr Dürk, the third sustainability report is now available. What motivated you to continue on this path?
Nikolaus Dürk: For us, the motivation lies in the responsibility we bear as a company - towards our employees, our region and our environment. Sustainability is not a fashionable topic for us, but part of our corporate identity. It was already clear to us in 2020: we don't just want to report, we want to think ahead. The report is not an end in itself, but an expression and reflection of our lived responsibility for nature and society.
schongenial: Ms Kloiber, how does this report differ from traditional sustainability reports?
Katharina Kloiber: We have deliberately chosen a different approach: participative, open, human. Instead of pressing key figures into tables, we collected stories - from everyday working life, from conversations, from personal experiences. It was important to us that this report comes to life from within. Many colleagues actively contributed - whether through interviews, articles or critical questions. This has resulted in an honest, organically grown document that shows how we understand and live sustainability in everyday life.
schongenial: What did the implementation look like in concrete terms?
Katharina Kloiber: We worked with Astrid Lenk and Desiree Szöky over a period of several months to prepare the content. There were workshops, reflection sessions and consultations. This not only resulted in texts, but also new ideas and approaches. For us, the report was not just a product - it was a process.
A reflection of our corporate culture in action
schongenial: Which topics were particularly in focus this time?
Nikolaus Dürk: Above all, the topics of corporate culture, participation and the interplay between individual responsibility and collective action. Many contributions show how seriously we take topics such as diversity, health, transparency and digital self-determination. Dealing with mistakes or the question of how we make decisions are also part of the reflection. The report shows that sustainability is not just green - it is social, economic and human.
schongenial: How was the report received internally?
Katharina Kloiber: Very well. Many employees have recognised or been inspired by it. It has sparked conversations - not just about sustainability, but about how we work together.
Nikolaus Dürk: And that's the most important thing for us: that the report doesn't disappear into the archives, but continues to have an impact within the company.
We think this form of sustainability report is #schongenial because it shows how real sustainability is created - by listening, helping to shape it and having the courage to reflect on our own path.
