Frequently asked questions
What is an ESG report?
An ESG report covers the environmental, social and governance performance of your organisation. Under the CSRD, this becomes mandatory according to the ESRS standards. The report makes your sustainability performance transparent for stakeholders.
Is CSRD reporting mandatory for my company?
Large companies (>250 employees, >€50M revenue, >€25M balance sheet) report from financial year 2024. Listed SMEs from 2026. Non-listed companies meeting 2 of 3 criteria follow later. Many SMEs report voluntarily due to supply chain requirements.
What are the ESRS standards?
The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are the mandatory reporting standards under the CSRD. There are 12 standards: 2 cross-cutting (ESRS 1 and 2), 5 environmental (E1-E5), 4 social (S1-S4) and 1 governance (G1). Through a double materiality assessment you determine which standards are relevant.
What is a double materiality assessment?
A double materiality assessment evaluates each sustainability topic from two perspectives: (1) the impact of your company on people and the environment (impact materiality) and (2) the financial risks and opportunities for your company (financial materiality). This determines which ESRS standards you need to report on.
How long does it take to prepare an ESG report?
A full ESG report according to ESRS takes on average 4 to 8 months: double materiality assessment (4-6 weeks), data collection (6-10 weeks), report writing (4-8 weeks) and review/finalisation (2-4 weeks). With early preparation, this can be more efficient.
What does it cost to have an ESG report prepared?
Costs vary significantly depending on complexity, sector and size. An SME report is considerably less expensive than a multinational report. Kroll SR works with fixed project prices so you know upfront what to expect. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.
Does my ESG report need to be audited by an accountant?
Under the CSRD, limited assurance is mandatory for companies subject to the reporting obligation. This means an external accountant or auditor will review your report. Kroll SR prepares reports that are audit-ready.
Can I prepare an ESG report voluntarily?
Yes, an increasing number of SMEs are preparing ESG reports voluntarily. Reasons include: supply chain requirements from large clients, competitive advantage, better financing conditions and preparation for future obligations. Kroll SR offers a pragmatic approach for voluntary reporting.
What is the difference between CSRD and GRI?
The CSRD (with ESRS) is European legislation and mandatory. GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) is a voluntary international framework. ESRS is partly based on GRI but goes further, particularly regarding financial materiality and the link with the annual accounts.
What data do I need to collect for ESRS reporting?
The required data depends on your material topics. Common examples include: CO2 emissions (scope 1-3), energy consumption, water consumption, waste figures, employee data (FTE, turnover, diversity, pay gap), governance structure and supply chain information.