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Why Your Business Needs an ESG Reporting Strategy

The emergence of purpose-driven businesses has significantly paved the way to embracing sustainable solutions globally. This is when environmental and sustainable services like ESG reporting come into consideration. ESG reporting and ranking enable consumers and investors to know about the organization’s dedication to the environment and sustainability. It also indicates that your firm is a responsible employer that adheres to industry best practices and actively supports good social causes. Let’s get to know more about ESG reporting and learn about its significance in your businesses.

 

What Is ESG Reporting?

ESG reporting is associated with a detailed report on a company’s environmental, social, and corporate governance actions. A quick overview of how ethical and responsible the businesses can be understood through ESG reporting. The environmental impacts in the GST reporting standards include any part of the business which has an impact on the climate. The social component of ESG reporting concerns how organizations manage and engage with people, other organizations, and cultural norms. The governance criterion focuses on how your business operates on a daily basis.

 

Why Is ESG Reporting Important?

ESG reporting often plays an imperative role in making a voluntary effort in demonstrating their concern for people and the community as a whole. Moreover, futuristic companies have made ESG data gathering and presenting ESG reporting along with their annual reports. Also, ESG reporting standards show the investors a choice to make a judgment on whether to invest in a particular firm. Investors can see a company’s environmental, social, and corporate governance objectives as well as how it manages possible problems in these areas through ESG reporting and this provides better clarity.

Businesses now claim to care about social justice issues or environmental concerns because they believe the audience wants to hear it. ESG reporting ensures that the company executives abide by the promises and take actions with responsibility. In today’s corporate environment, consumers and employees are becoming more interested in working with organizations that are fully committed to sustainability. Moreover, publishing ESG reports establish a strong bond and increased confidence among customers in supporting organizations and brands.

 

The Pros and Cons of ESG Reporting

ESG reporting helps businesses to adopt a more socially and ecologically responsible mindset. As time flies, ESG reporting standards aids in tracking the development of the organization and also identify the areas of improvement. Also, the benefits of sustainability reporting clearly aid in making futuristic strategic decisions that can influence company performance and efficiency. ESG reporting has some hurdles as well. Gathering information and preparing ESG reports are nerve-wracking as well as time-consuming tasks.

How To Get Started With ESG Reporting

Following are some factors to consider when introducing ESG reporting in your company.

  • Determine the metrics you want to use: Determining metrics for ESG reporting will include the organization’s social and environmental performance which includes water use, carbon impact, and many others. Along with these, do consider how the chosen metrics will help in reducing risks and strategizing better decisions with ESG reporting for enhancing the organization.
  • Pick an ESG reporting standard: Choosing the most suitable ESG reporting standards enables us to analyze the metrics and make relevant improvements.

 

  • Gathering information: Once we decide what to measure and ESG reporting standards, relevant data need to be collected for further procedures.
  • Preparing ESG reports: With all the above-mentioned factors, preparing ESG reports entails writing a report that analyses how well your business performed using numerous ESG indicators. With industrial experts in ESG reporting, this work can be handled effectively. These can also be verified independently if required.
  • Share ESG reporting results: After the reports are prepared, it is vital to inform the authorities about the analysis through appropriate platforms.

 

ESG Reporting Standards and Frameworks

A variety of ESG reporting frameworks and standards are available, and many firms combine a couple of these frameworks to produce their own in-depth ESG reports. Each of these frameworks has its own merits and drawbacks. Some of the ESG reporting standards, frameworks, and guidelines are as follows.

 

Standard/ Framework/ Guidelines Suggested usage Specific/ Multiple topics
International Standards Organization Standard To identify hazards, put appropriate mitigation and improvement strategies Topic-specific standards such as GHG, Energy Management, or Social Procurement
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standard Report a company’s beneficial and bad effects on the economy, society, and the environment Several topics in the areas of economics, the environment, and society
Sustainability Standards Board Standard For financial guidelines applicable to specific industry Several topics across Economic, Environment, and Social
GRESB Standard Investors’ decision-making, business intelligence, and industry engagement will all benefit from peer benchmarks and verified ESG performance data. Numerous indicators across Economic, Environment, and Social
Sustainable Development Goals Guidelines SDGs offer a common vision for world peace and prosperity for all people, now and in the future. All issues are included in the global goals.
Integrated reporting Framework To link financial statements with financial disclosures related to sustainability Consists of both financial and non-financial topics
Principles of Responsible Investment Framework Promotes investors to make ethical investments in order to increase returns and control risks. The questionnaire includes questions about certain topics, such as the effects of climate change on investments.
CDP Framework To assess and manage the opportunities and hazards related to water security, deforestation, and climate change Details on supply chain, water, forests, and climate change

 

What Waey can do on ESG reporting

An effective ESG plan displays a company’s dedication to environmental responsibility and its strong support for socioeconomic issues. With an excellent team of experienced environmental professionals, Waey provides you with best-in-class Industrial Environmental Services, Corporate Sustainability Services, and Certifications & Environmental Clearance Services including Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Reporting, ESG Internal Audit Services, and many more.

If you are looking for assistance with ESG reporting and other environmental services for your organization, Waey can provide you with the best solutions. Get in touch with us today to know more about our services in detail.

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