Sustainability strategy and reporting in accordance with the new CSRD directive and ESRS standards
We provide professional support in the field of LCA analyses, development of a Sustainability Strategy and Sustainability Reporting.
Sustainability strategy and reporting represent an opportunity to create added value for a company or organization and are an important part of sustainable corporate management. Non-financial reporting, also known as sustainability reporting or corporate social responsibility reporting (CSRD), involves disclosing information about a company's social, environmental, and governance performance.
With the company's Sustainability Strategy and Reporting:
- improve Company reputation and trust among stakeholders,
- increase their ability to attract and retain customers, employees and investors,
- obtain better financing conditions (bank requirements),
- increase the possibility of EU funds being approved,
- this is required from them by partner companies that are already obliged to report,
- in a few years they themselves will be obliged to report and can prepare a great foundation for the future,
- identify areas for sustainable performance improvement and set goals to encourage continuous improvement.
Corporate sustainability reporting requirements
- BUYERS, SUBSCRIBERS: Interest in the sustainability reports of companies and organizations has grown tremendously in recent years and will grow even more in the future. More and more buyers and consumers are also deciding to buy based on sustainability indicators.
- INVESTORS: One of the main factors is the increased expectations of stakeholders regarding transparency and accountability in the performance of sustainable development of companies. Investors, customers and other interested parties are increasingly looking for information about a company's sustainability performance and using this information to make investment, purchase and other decisions.
- RISK MANAGEMENT: An important driver is the growing recognition of risks and opportunities related to sustainability issues. Climate change, resource scarcity, human rights abuses and other sustainability challenges can significantly affect a company's operations, reputation and long-term value. Non-financial reporting can help companies identify and manage these risks and take advantage of sustainability-related opportunities.
- FINANCING: Sustainable disclosure is also encouraged by legislation, including the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation and the Taxonomy Regulation (the EU Sustainable Finance Strategy is based on these two regulations). As a result of these two regulations, asset managers and financial advisors require more sustainability information from investee companies.
Agenda 2030
The 2030 Agenda commits all member states of the United Nations (UN) to action on five key themes: people, planet, progress, peace and partnership. The long-term survival and well-being of humans depends on our actions to live within planetary constraints. Our actions must be based on the rule of law, human rights and taking into account the fundamental principle of the 2030 Agenda that we leave no one behind. In addition to the political declaration, Agenda 2030 contains 17 sustainable development goals and 169 concrete sub-goals. Their characteristic is that they are universal - they apply to all countries, regardless of their level of development. Clear and measurable indicators are defined for each goal, which we must fulfill by 2030.

12 ESRS standards
The European sustainability reporting standards will apply to all companies that are required to report non-financial, sustainability information under the CSRD. According to the Commission, the common standards will ensure that companies across the EU report reliable and, above all, comparable information.
ESRS 1 – general conditions: these are general principles that apply to reporting in accordance with ESRS, the standard does not specify specific disclosure requirements;
ESRS 2 – general disclosures: sets out essential information that must be disclosed regardless of the area, the standard will be mandatory for all companies that will be required to report on sustainability;
- ESRS E1 – climate;
- ESRS E2 – pollution;
- ESRS E3 – water and marine resources;
- ESRS E4 – Biodiversity and Ecosystems;
- ESRS E5 – Resource use and circular economy;
- ESRS S1 – own workforce;
- ESRS S2 – workers in the value chain;
- ESRS S3 – communities impacted by the company;
- ESRS S4 – consumers and end users;
- ESRS G1 – Business Conduct.
In ten ESRS, with the exception of the first two, a company will only be required to report relevant information. Therefore, if the information is not essential to the business model and activity, it will not need to be reported.
If the information is relevant, the company must report it. Companies will need to conduct a reliable materiality assessment to ensure that all sustainability information necessary to meet the objectives and requirements of the directive is disclosed.
In principle, less demanding ESRS will apply to small and medium-sized enterprises - these do not exist yet, and the version that will be key for small and medium-sized enterprises is still in the preparation phase.
10 steps to a successful corporate sustainability strategy
Creating a sustainability strategy for an organization requires a thoughtful and holistic approach. Below are the steps and key questions we guide you through this process:
1. Analysis of the current situation
- How is the organization currently managing the environment, society, and finances?
- What are the key activities and processes that impact sustainability?
2. Setting sustainability goals
- What does the organization want to achieve with its sustainability strategy?
- Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART).
3. Involvement of Stakeholders
- Which stakeholders are key to the organization?
- How can you engage employees, customers, suppliers, and communities in sustainable practices?
4. Risk and Opportunity Analysis (IRO)
- How can an organization identify sustainability risks and opportunities?
- How can it adapt to changes in the regulatory environment and stakeholder expectations?
5. Creating a Double materiality assessment (DMA)
- What metrics will you use to measure progress?
- How will you monitor the achievement of the sustainability strategy goals?
6. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
- How can an organization consider the environmental footprint of its products or services?
- How can LCA impact sustainability goals?
7. Employee involvement
- How can an organization involve employees in a sustainability strategy?
- How can they be educated and encouraged to behave sustainably?
8. Sustainable innovation and product development
- How can you innovate processes and products to increase their sustainability?
- How can you encourage the development of environmentally friendly products?
9. Communication of sustainable activities
- How will you communicate sustainable practices and achievements with stakeholders?
- How can an organization contribute to the sustainable development of local communities?
10. Indicator monitoring and sustainability reporting
- How often will you monitor the progress of the sustainability strategy?
- How will you prepare regular reports on sustainability achievements?
Want to learn more about our sustainable solutions?
You can find out more information on our website for LCA analyses and Sustainability Reporting. Everything about corporate sustainability in one place. Linking map is your ultimate sustainability partner, revolutionizing the way companies manage, monitor and report on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.
OFFER FOR COMPANIES:
Together with our team of experts, we have prepared an offer for the creation of a sustainable strategy according to ESRS standards (CSRD) for small, medium and large companies.
CREATING A SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY
CREATING A SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY
The offer includes the comprehensive development of a sustainability strategy within the framework of ESRS standards and the CSRD directive:
Assessment of current situation and identifying key sustainability areas using the Dual Importance Matrix (DMA);
Sustainability analytics and data processing;
Setting sustainability goals and an activity plan to achieve the goals;
Creating a sustainability strategy in accordance with the company's CGP;
Transfer of knowledge, standards and materials for independent sustainable management.
