Implementing TCFD: Climate Scenarios into Business Strategy and Targets

This article is the third one of our series titled ‘Successfully Implementing TCFD’, explaining the different phases of Finch and Beak’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Roadmap in more detail. This article focuses on the integration of climate scenarios into the business’ strategy, targets & KPIs as well as the need of internal engagement to review the business model and strategy. Working on the TCFD recommendations and advancing on the integration of its findings will provide an advantage for companies aligning with the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) reporting requirements. The accompanying download gives practical tips to assist your organization in overcoming three barriers that can prevent the successful implementation of TCFD.

CIRPASS: Product Identification and Traceability of Products in the EU

Funded by the European Commission under the Digital Europe Programme, CIRPASS brings together a core network of leading organizations to build the European vision for a unified Digital Product Passport (DPP) approach across multiple value chains. It is a collaborative initiative in preparation for the gradual piloting and deployment of a standards-based DPP aligned with the requirements of the Proposal for Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulations (ESPR), with an initial focus on the electronics, batteries, and textile sectors. This article shares more about DPPs, elaborates on the CIRPASS project, and includes a downloadable factsheet with extensive information and contact details.

Understanding & Preparing for the CSRD

On 28 November 2022, the European Council approved the proposed Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which aims to revolutionize sustainable reporting and parallel it with financial reporting. The Directive replaces the existing Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) and will substantially increase reporting requirements for companies falling within its scope. This article addresses uncertainties about scope, timelines, and implications for business by providing clarification about the CSRD’s requirements as well as giving practical recommendations to prepare for compliance in 2023 and beyond.

New ESRS Framework: The Impact on Sustainability Reporting in Europe

Earlier this year, the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) published the exposure drafts for the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The development of this framework was requested by the European Commission in response to the need to have a single European-wide framework aligned with the requirements of the new CSRD directive. The draft version of the framework, which was under public consultation by various stakeholders until the 8th of August 2022, highlights which new non-financial reporting features the European Commission wants to advocate for. Most notably, that of double materiality to determine which sustainability priorities are set to become mandatory, and the reporting sustainability indicators that will have to include the entire value chain and be considered from a short-, medium-, and long-term perspective.

Winning Sustainability Strategies Online Program: May-July 2022

The IMD Winning Sustainability Strategies Online Program is a “how-to” guide that offers a very pragmatic take on how to integrate sustainability in your corporate strategy – while ensuring it has a strong business case. The program is aimed at business executives, strategy practitioners and sustainability professionals, who are looking to harness sustainability innovation and its strategic implications. Facilitated by the authors Jan van der Kaaij, Managing Partner of Finch & Beak, and IMD professor Benoit Leleux, this edition starts on 30 May 2022.

ESG Machete: Comparing Suitable ESG Data for Your Board

Spurred by regulation and investor interest, more companies than ever are reporting on core ESG topics by publishing integrated or separate corporate sustainability reports. Simultaneously, more than $1tn in total assets under management in funds are now abiding by ESG principles, and legislation is catching up. While investors and policy makers are becoming stronger advocates for ESG disclosure, companies struggle to strike the right balance between efforts and results. But how to make sure the right ESG ratings and performance analysis are used to inform senior management?

Tackling the Challenges in Visualizing Double Materiality

As of 2023, the EU Commission requires companies to apply the concept of “Double Materiality” as part of its new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Companies that have not already done this, need to develop a sharp view on both short-term impacts as well as risks further on the horizon in order to guide their business and build resilience for climate change and other factors. In addition, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) announced updates to its Standards in which the process of a materiality assessment was also actively addressed. This article answers one of the main questions that therefore arises: how do you visualize your materiality matrix in line with the double materiality principle?

Updated GRI Standards: What Are the Implications for Materiality?

Last October, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) announced the biggest update of its standards since 2016. Beyond legal requirements, the GRI has been identified as one of the most comprehensive and internationally recognized sustainability standards setter for corporate reporting. Scheduled to be applicable by 2023, these changes require companies to increase their level of transparency and to dedicate further resources into non-financial reporting. One of the key updates is the introduction of sector standards, providing additional guidelines for comparability of companies from the same industries. Another important change in the GRI Universal Standards is the revised approach on how organization should conduct their materiality assessment. This article focuses on the proposed changes and what it means for companies which have selected the GRI Standards as their ESG reporting framework.

How to Strengthen ESG Reporting with the Updated GRI Standards

In the corporate world, sustainability reporting requirements are continuously increasing through national and international directives. In the EU, the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will impact the reporting guidelines of a large number of European companies. Beyond legal requirements, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) have been identified as the most comprehensive and internationally recognized sustainability standards setters for corporate reporting. At the end of 2020, GRI counted more than 38,000 GRI reports from organizations, including 73% of the world's 250 largest companies.

Leveraging Double Materiality to Identify Emerging ESG Risks

If there is one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, it is that society can face major challenges, virtually overnight. Companies need to have a sharp view on both short-term impacts and risks further on the horizon in order to steer their business and build resilience to deal with change. Capturing emerging risks in the ESG approach is therefore essential. Additionally, as of 2023, the EU Commission requires companies to apply the concept of “Double Materiality” as part of its new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). One of the main questions that therefore arises is: how do you ensure your materiality assessment covers these new perspectives on materiality?