ESG (environmental, social, and governance) is sprouting its roots and branches like a seed, making it increasingly impossible to ignore or uproot. But, the real issue with ESG is whether it will ever achieve its full potential or not. In recent years, the number of voices requesting greater transparency on ESG problems has risen dramatically, which finally gave birth to the ESG reporting services, which focus on the metrics needed for ESG Compliance for the companies.

Why is ESG Reporting Services Required for a Company?

As the risks and possibilities connected with ESG become more apparent, it is becoming a financial imperative for firms to adopt an ESG reporting service – and validate the data. Increased investor scrutiny, new regulatory requirements, and altering consumer expectations mean that organizations are under further pressure to measure, disclose, and progress on ESG activities.

ESG is viewed as an opening into a company’s future by stakeholders throughout the business spectrum. ESG measurements and reporting are also crucial indicators of a company’s general well-being, and how and what you disclose may build the groundwork for a captivating tale about your firm’s impact on the world.

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What Regulations Govern ESG Reporting?

Global regulations are rapidly developing. While some current or planned rules and regulations are solely concerned with environmental issues, others are generally concerned with sustainability.

1. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): The US agency is due to finalize new guidelines for climate disclosures, which will focus on regulating climate-related risks, the financial implications of severe weather events, and greenhouse gas emissions, as recommended.

2. The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG): With the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), member organizations created new, more comprehensive ESG reporting requirements. These will have an impact on both EU-listed firms and non-EU-listed corporations with significant operations in the region.

3. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): The UK financial markets regulator requires UK-listed corporations to report whether or not their climate-related disclosures are consistent with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework.

4. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has created two sustainability standards that will be finalized later this year. The first is concerned with climate-related issues, whereas the second is concerned with general sustainability-related disclosures. Additional requirements are predicted.

What is the Significance of ESG Assurance?

Many new worldwide regulatory sustainability criteria would require independent certification of ESG data, including Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, to boost confidence in the market’s integrity. Companies must establish a strategy for validating ESG data and processes and controls to support that data from its source (internal and external) to its reporting. Companies should include rules in their data collection, processing, and reporting procedures that ensure a consistent technique for gathering timely and reliable information across the value chain.

Utilizing a third-party auditor to validate ESG data can help your organization gain credibility and trust among critical stakeholders when investors are employing this data in their decision-making, and there needs to be more skepticism about the reliability and precision of these disclosures.

ESG Reporting Services in Various Countries

1. Singapore

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting services have become a regular practice for organizations as the global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) trend grows. ESG Report is also termed a CSR or Sustainability Report. In Hong Kong, 85% of Hang Seng Index businesses publish ESG problems somehow, with 45% having a separate report. Internationally, 95% of Global 250 corporations are reporting their ESG performances.

With the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) requirement for ESG disclosure, more corporations are projected to submit ESG reports. HKEX raised the level of duty for ESG report release from “voluntary” to “comply or explain” in December 2015. It is effective for the fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2016. This means that listed companies in Hong Kong must issue ESG reports to meet HKEX requirements. Otherwise, they must provide a reason to HKEX for not submitting an ESG Report.

Guide for HKEX ESG reporting

HKEX produced an ESG Reporting Guide to help listed companies with ESG reporting. The guide outlines two ESG topics, 11 elements, and 32 Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”).

The two ESG topics are:

• Environmental
• Social

Each topic area has two reporting levels: “comply or explain” and “recommended”. On or after the fiscal year, January 1, 2016, the environmental KPIs are at the “recommended” level. However, it will be updated to “comply or explain” on or after January 1, 2017, the start of the fiscal year. It is recommended that listed firms evaluate and disclose ESG concerns and KPIs critical to their businesses. The use of international norms, especially the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), will also be recognized by HKEX.

One can go via the following stages to generate an ESG Report that meets HKEX requirements:

• Identification of the Scope
• Materiality Assessment
• Data Collection
• Content Development
• Recommendation for Next Report Improvement

2. UAE

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors have emerged as a top priority in the policy and strategic frameworks of Middle Eastern businesses, and the UAE has positioned itself as a trailblazer in ESG reporting services, spearheading initiatives to combat climate change such as the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy.

These aims and objectives contain goals to decrease emissions, boost renewable energy output, and support sustainable practices. Businesses who want to demonstrate their dedication to climate change and the UAE’s net-zero emission target by 2050 must thoroughly analyze their operations, including potential growth opportunities and potential dangers.

Incorporating ESG principles into business strategy includes a commitment to the three core foundations of social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and ethical corporate governance. As a result, it requires an all-encompassing approach to decrease waste, CO₂ emissions, and pollution and encourage inclusivity and diversity throughout the organization’s management hierarchy.

With the impending COP28 event focusing all attention on the UAE, regional businesses must develop rigorous ESG reporting services. Implementing thorough environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure can help organizations establish themselves as sustainability leaders, ensuring long-term survival and relevance. As a result, regional businesses are encouraged to emphasize the growth of ESG reporting services to connect with global sustainability goals and show their dedication to a sustainable future.

Like an iceberg, most of ESG’s influence is concealed beneath the surface; it can transform an organization’s whole environment. With the world’s attention focused on the Middle East as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates host COP27 and COP28, firms can make strides toward ESG disclosure. By concentrating on ESG criteria, companies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia can gain a competitive advantage, boost their attractiveness to investors, and assist the government in meeting its massive sustainable development and social responsibility goals.

3. USA

According to a study by Big Four accounting firm PwC, 65% of investors claimed their motivation for considering ESG problems was to help manage investment risks. Companies reporting on ESG performance improvements signal to investors that they can manage risks while generating long-term financial gains. Investors may disregard companies that do not give ESG reporting services. In some situations, a company’s ESG profile may be caused by a third-party research agency that provides sustainability reports to investors without influence or control from the company. You may convey a more thorough and compelling sustainability and value story by being transparent and providing ESG reporting.

Along with investors, millennials and Gen Z consumers are significant drivers of ESG reporting. As per Bank of America, 92% of Gen Z consumers prefer a brand that supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues over one that does not. An ESG focus is advantageous for your customers and helps recruit new talent: 94% of Gen Z respondents feel organizations should address ESG issues, as do 87% of millennials.

4. India

India’s dedication to achieving sustainability and reaching international environmental standards, like most countries, has resulted in the formation of numerous regulations, which are likely to result in risks and opportunities from an ESG standpoint. For example, India’s commitment to attain ‘net zero carbon emissions by 2070’ has resulted in several government efforts, including subsidies and other incentives for the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Government initiatives in the EV industry are expected to generate ESG possibilities for EV producers. Still, they can also lead to ESG dangers for traditional vehicle manufacturers who cannot or do not want to move to EVs. Finally, investors will require affected companies to adequately disclose any ESG risks or opportunities emerging from governmental and regulatory measures.

European and other international investors continue to drive the focus on ESG reporting in India, and it is anticipated that Indian institutional investors will catch up shortly. India, like most developing nations, faces various ESG concerns, which are exacerbated by the size of the country’s population, socioeconomic diversity, and growth objectives. Higher-quality ESG reporting services by Indian corporations would thus be a key instrument in directing more significant amounts of capital towards sustainable goals by compensating businesses claiming and delivering on ESG commitments.

Bottom Line

ESG reporting services will survive and thrive in the future. Companies that fail to observe and track the metrics needed for future ESG compliance risk falling behind when these standards become widespread. To remain competitive, businesses must prioritize sustainability indicators and incorporate them into their daily operations.

Also Read: ESG Rating: What Are The Standards In US, EU and Gulf Region

FAQs

Q1. Is ESG reporting mandatory in India?

One of the first ESG disclosure requirements for companies was implemented by the Companies Act of 2013. Section 134(m) requires corporations to provide an annual financial statement and an energy conservation report from their Board of Directors.

Q2. In which countries is ESG reporting essential?

The United States of America, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Q3. Is it essential for public companies to report on ESG?

While some organizations can still freely reveal information about their ESG performance, many firms must do so. This trend is expected to accelerate as shareholders, authorities, consumers, suppliers, and employees demand greater accountability from firms.