Ask the Analyst: Deciphering Key ESG Reporting Frameworks

G&A has recently released a one-page guide, “The ABCs of Corporate Sustainability: Deciphering Key ESG Reporting Frameworks”. We asked Charlotte Perrottey, Vice President of Sustainability Consulting, and Natalia Menezes, Senior Sustainability Analyst, to explain the guide crafted to support companies in navigating the essential frameworks for corporate sustainability reporting.

The one-page guide is freely available within G&A’s resource center .

What challenges do companies encounter when reporting under various ESG frameworks?

Things are always changing in the corporate sustainability reporting space, especially recently, and this creates what can be a confusing “alphabet soup” of directives, standards, frameworks, and mandates. This can make it very difficult for preparers who are looking to understand what is already in effect, what applies to their business, and how everything interconnects. In turn, this challenge can delay worthwhile action in developing reporting and related action, opening preparers up to risks and missed opportunities.

Why is it important for companies to report under these frameworks?

ESG frameworks provide companies with useful guidance for meeting the reporting expectations of important stakeholders, including regulators, governments, investors, customers, and employees. They also enable businesses to improve the consistency and comparability of their reported information, enhancing transparency and communication. At the same time, the framework guidance and the insights gleaned from related information-gathering can inform other business functions and render them more comprehensive and effective, in particular risk and opportunity management and strategic decision-making.

What is this one-page guide developed by G&A?

“The ABCs of Corporate Sustainability” is meant to serve as an entry point for preparers and is our effort to efficiently clarify the current “alphabet soup.”  It has been developed as a quick reference guide, providing a high-level overview of the ESG frameworks most often encountered by corporate sustainability reporters, including ESRS, GRI, ISSB, SASB, SFDR, TCFD, and TNFD.

How does it support companies in their ESG reporting journey?

The guide provides a succinct definition of each framework and indicates its implementation status and any interconnections with other reporting initiatives. Our goal was to help preparers to begin seeing how the frameworks overlap and interrelate, which serves to support an efficient approach to reporting. The guide also includes useful links to additional resources that enable companies to take a deeper dive into each framework and framework interoperability.

How can readers learn more about the guide or G&A’s services work?

G&A has over 20 years of experience in corporate sustainability reporting, and so our team has a deep understanding of each ESG framework. We are ready to help your company efficiently and effectively navigate the ABCs of corporate sustainability. If you would like to connect to discuss how we might be of service to you, please reach out to us at info@ga-institute.com.

ABOUT CHARLOTTE PERROTEY
Vice President of Sustainability Consulting, G&A Institute

Charlotte Perrottey is a Vice President of Sustainability Consulting at Governance & Accountability Institute. Her role includes assisting clients across several industries through materiality assessments and sustainability report development, responding to annual ESG surveys such as CDP, and providing general guidance on various sustainability issues.

ABOUT NATALIA MENEZES
Senior Sustainability Analyst, G&A Institute

Natalia Menezes is a Senior Sustainability Analyst at Governance & Accountability Institute. Her role includes supporting client needs through ESG data review, benchmarking research, and gap analyses. She is driven to help companies create positive and sustainable impacts for all their stakeholders.