If you’re dealing with the complexities of ESG data, you’ve likely faced questions like: What data should I be collecting? Is it reliable? And how do I prepare it for audits? ESG reporting can feel like working in candlelight. But it doesn’t have to. Call us John Henry Holmes cause we’re about to flip the switch and turn on the lightbulb.

Join us for a practical conversation with a team of ESG experts who’ll help you make sense of ESG data—what to collect, how to ensure its accuracy, and the important role of tech in all of this.  

‍What You'll Walk Away Knowing:

• How did we get here? A quick look at how ESG reporting has evolved and the key milestones along the way.

• Is your data ready? Learn what kind of ESG data you’ll need and how to tackle common gaps and inconsistencies.

• What about audits? We’ll explore how ESG audits work, the common issues auditors face, and how we can provide reliable assurance.

Is this for you?

‍Yes, if you’re responsible for ESG data collection, reporting, or auditing—or if you're enthusiastic to learn more about ESG or enhance your auditing repertoire.

Prefer reading over watching?

‍If videos aren’t your thing, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the full breakdown of our recent webinar, "Auditors in the Dark - Collecting and Interpreting ESG Data," packed with all the key insights and takeaways from the session.

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Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s become a priority for organizations everywhere. To tackle the growing demands of ESG, we recently hosted a webinar, "Auditors in the Dark - Collecting and Interpreting ESG Data," featuring KPMG experts. They shared insights into the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping ESG reporting today. Here’s what we learned.

Understanding ESG: A Broad and Evolving Framework

ESG reporting covers a lot of ground—think everything from tracking carbon emissions to measuring gender diversity in leadership. However, unlike financial reporting, which sticks to familiar units like dollars and euros, ESG data involves a wide variety of metrics. This lack of standardization can make things tricky, especially for companies new to ESG frameworks.

In the early days, organizations relied on voluntary frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to guide their ESG disclosures. Fast forward to today, and regulatory changes like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are stepping in, making ESG reporting mandatory and more structured. This shift means companies need to tighten up how they collect and report ESG data.

The Data Collection Challenge

One big takeaway from the webinar was how challenging it is to gather ESG data. Unlike financial info that usually lives in one system, ESG data is all over the place—spread across departments and even outside a company’s direct operations. Here are a few hurdles:

• Diverse Data Sources: ESG data comes from a mix of places—supply chain metrics, environmental studies, HR stats—you name it. Pulling all this together isn’t easy.
• Non-Standardized Metrics: Key data points like "women in management" don’t have a one-size-fits-all definition, which leads to inconsistencies.
• Value Chain Complexity: Getting data from external partners, suppliers, and other players in the value chain takes a lot of time and effort.

The Role of Technology

Technology is stepping up to help. From automating data collection to using AI for smarter analytics, tech tools are making ESG reporting a little less daunting. But let’s be clear: technology isn’t a cure-all. It needs to be carefully woven into a company’s existing systems to really make a difference.

For example, integrating ESG platforms with financial reporting tools can keep data flowing smoothly without duplicating efforts. And when investing in tech, companies should look for tools tailored to their needs rather than jumping on the latest trend.

Moving Beyond Reporting: Toward Actionable Insights

While staying compliant often kicks off ESG reporting efforts, the real goal is to spark action. With solid data, companies can:

• Spot and tackle risks.
• Find new opportunities.
• Make targeted improvements.

One standout example shared during the webinar was a farming company using climate data to predict and address risks from changing weather patterns. By using ESG reporting as a launchpad for action, organizations can hit their sustainability goals while boosting long-term value.

Regulation and Its Impact

The CSRD is shaking up ESG reporting in a big way. Large, publicly listed companies are already feeling the heat, and smaller businesses will soon have to step up too. This makes it crucial for organizations of all sizes to build solid reporting systems.

The panel also touched on materiality assessments, which help companies focus on what really matters. By zoning in on the most impactful areas, businesses can meet regulations without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

Balancing Transparency and Greenwashing

Being transparent is non-negotiable for credible ESG reporting. Companies need to share their progress but also own up to their challenges to avoid being accused of greenwashing. The panelists emphasized the importance of striking a balance—celebrating wins while staying honest about the work still to be done. That’s the kind of approach that earns trust.

The Future of ESG Reporting

Looking ahead, here are some trends that are shaping the ESG reporting landscape:

• Biodiversity Takes the Spotlight: Tracking biodiversity is becoming a big part of ESG reporting, expanding its reach.
• Planning for the Future: Reporting is evolving from showing what’s happening now to mapping out how companies plan to meet sustainability targets.
• Smarter with AI: As AI gets better, it’s giving organizations powerful tools to streamline reporting and get more accurate insights.

Final Thoughts

ESG reporting is a long-term commitment. It takes time, effort, and investment, but the payoff is huge. Beyond ticking regulatory boxes, ESG reporting helps companies drive real change and uncover new ways to create value.

As one panelist put it:

"ESG reporting is about more than meeting regulations—it’s about driving meaningful change within organizations and their ecosystems."

The road ahead might be tough, but with the right tools and strategies, organizations can navigate ESG challenges, become more sustainable, and make a lasting impact.