Corporate Sustainability Reporting

Corporate sustainability reporting is the process of measuring, managing, and publicly disclosing your environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Reporting on your corporate sustainability in a transparent and standardised way is a key step in the presentation of your organisation’s values, management approach, governance model, and demonstrates the link between strategy and your commitment to a sustainable global economy.

Corporate sustainability reporting is more than just compliance. Instead, it is a strategic tool that offers multiple benefits, such as:

• Develops a strong ESG Strategy: Sets sustainability targets, identifies risks and opportunities, and aligns with business goals.
• Measures and monitors performance: Tracks progress, ensures data-driven decision-making, and enhances resilience.
• Ensures compliance and risk management: Meets regulatory requirements and avoids penalties.
• Strengthens reputation and stakeholder trust: Demonstrates transparency, accountability, and leadership in sustainability.
• Supports certification and verification: Facilitates compliance with recognised sustainability standards.
• Provides supply chain insights: Measures Scope 3 emissions, which in turn helps to identify risks, improve efficiency, and identify cost savings.

There are also several frameworks and standards to follow when producing a sustainability report. These provide structured guidelines to ensure consistency and credibility.

• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) : an international framework which aims to assist third parties in assessing the environmental impacts of their activities and supply chain
• European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS): a set of standards developed to provide a guideline for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) an EU regulation for companies, which meet the criteria, which aims to improve transparency and accountability through reporting of ESGs. The ESRS employs a double materiality perspective
• Voluntary SME standard (VSME): The voluntary version of the ESRS standards for small and medium enterprises.
• Integrated Reporting Framework: a global framework for integrating financial, social and environmental considerations which analyses the importance of social and natural capital
• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol: an international reporting standard specific to carbon emissions and climate change impacts of the organisation
• The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP): Although not a framework itself, this initiative provides a disclosure, and scoring, system through CDP questionnaires. These assessments can be aligned with the frameworks and standards mentioned above.

While reporting requirements vary by framework, most sustainability reports follow a structured approach including understand reporting requirements, establishing the organisational boundaries, identifying and engaging with relevant stakeholders, and setting targets and defining actions.

With over 10 years of experience in corporate sustainability reporting, Ecomatters is well-equipped to support and guide you through your sustainability reporting needs. This includes:

• Design and support with corporate sustainability reporting systems
• Facilitate strategy development
• Target setting and KPI development
• Development of customised data collection systems, including tools and manuals
• Support in the assurance or audit process of sustainability reporting
• Execution of the double materiality assessments
• Calculation of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and assistance in quantifying other impacts

Whether you’re starting your first sustainability report or enhancing an existing one, Ecomatters ensures a streamlined, compliant, and impactful reporting process. Plan a call with one of our experts or get in touch using the contact form below to see how we can support you.