There is a growing demand for transparent and reliable information on companies’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Companies subject to the CSRD are required to disclose certain ESG information to ensure transparency. 

In complying with the CSRD, companies must follow the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The ESRS provide a framework for what information should be disclosed in the report and how it should be presented. The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), of which osapiens is an official “Friend of EFRAG” partner, has published important guidelines to help companies optimize their sustainability reporting. This blog post summarizes the steps. 

Sustainability Reporting Made Easy: How to Implement the CSRD

 

Step 1: Understand the CSRD and clarify responsibilities 

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) poses new challenges for companies. To ensure that your sustainability report meets the requirements, it is important to understand the basics of the Directive: What are the requirements? What data is required? 

Another important step is to clarify who in your company is responsible for implementation. Often there is a lack of clear accountability because the CSR Directive is relatively new, and many companies do not have a dedicated ESG department. Consider whether external support, such as consulting services or software solutions, might be useful to make the process more efficient. Regardless of who takes responsibility, a solid understanding of CSRD is the foundation for success. 

Step 2: Conduct the dual materiality analysis 

The dual materiality analysis is at the heart of the CSRD. It helps companies identify the truly relevant ESG issues. It is based on the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which cover 12 main topics and numerous subtopics. 

In practice, this means that IROs (Impacts, Risks, Opportunities) must be developed for each topic (see below). These are then evaluated and classified as material or non-material. This filtering process ensures that only the issues that are relevant to your business and stakeholders are reported on. 

Step 3: Collect and Analyze Data 

After the materiality analysis, the next step is to collect and analyze the necessary data. This phase is similar to a traditional gap analysis. It involves identifying data gaps, obtaining missing information, and processing existing data. The goal is to build a solid foundation for the subsequent report. 

Step 4: Preparing and Submitting the Sustainability Report 

The final step is to prepare the report. All of the collected data and findings are compiled into a structured document. The sustainability report summarizes your company’s material ESG issues in a clear and concise manner and is submitted in accordance with CSRD requirements. A well-prepared report not only meets legal requirements but also provides a valuable basis for strategic decisions and stakeholder dialogue. 

Deep Dive: Dual Materiality Analysis 

A comprehensive materiality analysis looks at ESG issues from two perspectives: Inside-Out and Outside-In. The key components of materiality analysis are the IROs – Impacts, Risks and Opportunities. Impacts are considered from an inside-out perspective, while risks and opportunities relate to the financial materiality of the company. In general, companies are required to prepare and assess specific IROs for each ESRS category. Only those issues identified as material are included in reporting. 

Inside-Out (Environmental and Social Materiality): 

• The Inside-Out perspective analyzes your company’s positive and negative impacts on the environment and society. It considers issues relevant to stakeholders and highlights their impact on your company’s reputation and long-term sustainability. 
  → Impacts: What impact does your company have on the environment and society? 

Outside-In (Financial Materiality): 

• The outside-in perspective focuses on the impact of external ESG factors on your company. It focuses on financial risks and opportunities arising from environmental or social developments.  
  → Risks: What risks do ESG factors pose to your company?  
  → Opportunities: What opportunities arise from sustainable strategies and activities? 

The combination of both perspectives provides a comprehensive understanding of all relevant ESG issues. It forms the basis for identifying material IROs and helps companies to develop and communicate their sustainability strategy in a targeted and transparent manner.