ESG Reporting: Document Your Company's Sustainability Efforts
An ESG report is a document in which a company presents its efforts and results within environmental, social, and governance areas.
But what does the report consist of, and is it a legal requirement to prepare one? You will find out in this article.
What Does an ESG Report Consist of?
An ESG report is also known as sustainability reporting and is a tool for communicating your company’s sustainability efforts.
It consists of both quantitative and qualitative (Danish) information about the company’s impact on the environment, social issues, and governance responsibility.
- Environmental Impact
This area maps out the impact the company has on, for example, climate change, pollution, ecosystems, and natural resources. - Social Impact
The “Social” area informs about how the company manages its relationship with their stakeholders and working conditions. This includes everything from employees and communities to customers and suppliers. - Governance Impact
The last area deals with corporate behavior, internal control, and systems. This covers, among other things, board composition and ethical standards.
Overall, the report provides investors, customers, and stakeholders with insight into the company’s sustainability initiatives.
Preparing an ESG report takes time and requires collecting and analyzing data from the company – for example, by identifying relevant ESG metrics.
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Is ESG Reporting a Legal Requirement?
From 2024, it is mandatory for large publicly traded companies to conduct sustainability reporting.
The new legislation is called CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and is a directive from the EU that ensures member states report on their sustainability efforts in the same manner.
From January 1, 2025, the legislation will also apply to publicly traded and non-publicly traded companies in accounting class C (large). From January 1, 2026, small publicly traded companies will also be covered by the law.
ESG Reporting as an SME
Although SMEs are not affected by the law, it’s important to pay attention to the entire value chain.
If you have large companies as customers that are subject to the law, you may face demands for ESG data. This could include CO2 emissions or working conditions.
In general, there is an increasing demand for ESG documentation, even if the company is not obligated under CSRD.
Being transparent about sustainability can increase the company’s competitive advantages and make it easier to attract both investors and employees.
Therefore, an ESG report is relevant for all types of companies.
How to Get Started with an ESG Report
As mentioned, preparing an ESG report requires resources, but it brings many benefits.
Among other things, it can have a positive economic impact on the company’s results because it increases credibility and reputation.
When you want to start preparing an ESG report, you can do the following:
- Make sure that management supports the work.
- Choose one person or a team to prepare the ESG statement.
- Identify which ESG criteria are relevant for the company (this can be done with a double materiality assessment (Danish)).
When you start collecting data, remember to document the process. This increases the credibility of the statement. You can download a template at virksomhedsguiden.dk to help structure the work.
Do you want to know more?
At Acubiz, we specialize in providing digital solutions that make managing your company’s sustainability efforts simpler and more efficient.
Contact us if you want to know how we can help your business or book a free online demo to learn more.
FAQ
What is an ESG report and why is it important?
An ESG report is a document that outlines a company’s efforts and achievements in environmental, social, and governance areas. It is important because it provides transparency about the company’s sustainability practices, helping to attract investors, improve reputation, and manage risks more effectively.
Is it mandatory to prepare an ESG report?
How can a company get started with ESG reporting?
Companies can start by ensuring management support, selecting a dedicated person or team for the task, identifying relevant ESG criteria, and documenting the process thoroughly. Templates and guidelines, such as those available on virksomhedsguiden.dk, can help structure the work.