How Pietercil Brokerage makes sustainability workable in the FMCG value chain

Pietercil Brokerage strengthens sustainability in the FMCG chain thanks to a pragmatic ESG strategy around due diligence, climate and reporting, guided by Möbius.

Strategic challenge as FMCG broker within sustainability

Pietercil Brokerage holds a unique position in the FMCG value chain. As a distributor of food and non-food products, they work on behalf of both small and large international manufacturers, supplying retail chains and food service companies.

Although their own activities are mainly limited to sales and marketing services, their direct climate impact (scope 1 and 2) is relatively limited. And because they have limited influence on environmental and social issues in the chain, it was a challenge to determine what sustainable role a broker could and should take on.

Pietercil wanted to respond proactively and pragmatically to rising customer expectations, while continuing to relieve producers of sustainability concerns.

Möbius developed a sustainability strategy tailored to their unique position and guided implementation through three work streams:

Climate management
Responsible supply chain management (due diligence)
Sustainability reporting

Möbius guided us in shaping our sustainability strategy in an exceptionally pragmatic way. Their team combined expert guidance, practical tools, and strong substantive support, relieving us of concern, from the double materiality assessment right through to the concrete implementation of our climate and due diligence approach, all with a focus on efficiency, feasibility, and impact. A pleasant collaboration that truly made a difference.

Wendy Van Eeckhoudt ESG Coordinator

Approach: due diligence for responsible supply chain management

Möbius supported Pietercil in efficiently addressing sustainability inquiries from the retail and foodservice sectors, as well as in preparing for new regulations such as the EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation). The growing number of ESG-related questions highlighted the need for a structured process to ensure supply chain responsibility.
Together with the legal team and business stakeholders, we developed a practical approach within three core domains:

1️. Understanding risks
A risk assessment was conducted on topics such as:

climate change
deforestation
water management
working conditions
hazardous substances
health and safety

2️. Mitigating risks

Suppliers with a higher risk profile are actively monitored through questionnaires, data collection, and regular ESG discussions focused on their improvement actions.

3️. Strengthening governance

new Supplier Code of Conduct
all employees — both procurement and sales profiles — were trained so that they can integrate sustainability into their daily interactions
incident management process launched
ESG criteria integrated into supplier selection

Approach: climate management with focus on Scope 3 and SBTi trajectory

Climate is one of the most urgent ESG issues facing retail and FMCG. Möbius guided Pietercil’s ESG lead in compiling a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory (scopes 1, 2, and 3), and in formulating climate objectives. Special emphasis was placed on deepening knowledge within the organisation.

The collaboration resulted in:

a complete climate footprint for the Pietercil Group (Brokerage, Beliès, King Cuisine)
distinction between industrial and FLAG emissions
the evolution from an Excel-based to a SaaS tool for more efficient processing of supplier data

Additionally, Möbius initiated the pathway to SBTi-FLAG validation and the development of a transition plan. The close alignment with due diligence illustrates the integration of workstreams. Currently, Möbius is also supporting the audit of the climate footprint.

Approach: transparent sustainability reporting according to VSME

Although Pietercil ultimately is not subject to CSRD reporting obligations, there was strong ambition to communicate transparently about progress and impact.

Möbius used the VSME standard as a pragmatic, SME-friendly guide. A reporting structure was developed around four pillars:

Climate
Due diligence
Product quality & food safety
Own employees

Governance was included as a separate chapter. Möbius served as lead author, ensuring cohesive narrative development, KPI structuring and internal alignment.

Results: measurable impact and external recognition

The comprehensive ESG trajectory delivered tangible results, in numbers, processes, and culture:

Emission reduction: The total emissions of the Pietercil Group decreased by 8.2% between 2023 and 2024. Notably, 70% of Pietercil Brokerage’s emissions originate from just nine suppliers — with whom Pietercil is now actively engaging.
SBTi commitment: Pietercil signed an SBTi commitment, as some of its suppliers had already done.
Supply chain responsibility: An operational due diligence process was launched to identify and mitigate ESG risks within the supply chain.
Reporting: Pietercil Brokerage publishes a transparent sustainability report aligned with the VSME standard.
Organisation-wide integration: Employees recognise the added value of ESG and actively apply it in their daily work.

These efforts were also externally recognised: Pietercil took part in the Voka Charter for Sustainable Entrepreneurship (VCDO) and received a positive annual evaluation for its sustainability actions — earning the title of “SDG Pioneer.” The ESG strategy is also prominently featured on Pietercil’s own website.