How to Manage Sustainability Data

WHY, WHERE AND HOW SHOULD YOU REPORT?

Globally, there is a multi-speed shift towards mandatory sustainability reporting. This includes the work of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in monitoring the progress of climate-related disclosures and pushing for uniform global standards. Built on the TCFD (Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures) recommendations, the ISSB’s standards reflect a commitment to integrated financial and sustainability reporting. However, different frameworks are adopted in different countries, often with phased implementation. This raises important questions. At the outset, this includes ‘Why am I reporting?’, Is it to satisfy the regulator? For public disclosure? To demonstrate achievements? The answer carries varying considerations. That’s followed by ‘Where am I reporting?’, covering the countries and regulatory regimes you must account for – particularly for global asset portfolios where reporting may be required across multiple jurisdictions. Finally, ‘How am I reporting?’, the expectations for disclosing data that match your operating circumstances, including audit trails. These may seem basic, but these important questions can often be overlooked. The answers have longer-term implications for your data management practices and the data-driven insights that inform both sustainability and business decisions.