Introduction to ESG Reporting

This course has been developed to provide professionals from various disciplines with an introduction to the field of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Reporting[1]. By looking at the development of ESG reporting, the key stakeholders and frameworks that exist, and what you can expect in the future, we will provide a solid foundation for understanding how you and your organisation will be affected. And the impact is going to be pervasive and significant.

By understanding this ESG reporting you will be prepared for these impacts and able to participate in conversations at an organisational level about how best to adapt to, embrace and report based on these requirements.

The world of ESG reporting is evolving rapidly and this course is continually updated to include the latest developments including, for example, the ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board) which was recently established to develop and approve the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS SDS).

At the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Define ESG Reporting
  
• Appreciate the context in which ESG reporting has developed
• Identify potential impacts on organisations
• Describe the key stakeholders and standards setting frameworks in ESG reporting
• Identify current and proposed ESG reporting requirements in various jurisdictions
• Discuss expectations about future developments in the ESG reporting

ESG reporting is one manifestation of a type of organisational reporting that captures more than just financial information. Other terms have also been used including Corporate Social Reporting/Disclosure (CSR/D), Triple Bottom Line Reporting, and Sustainability Reporting, each has come with it's own approach and focus. We use the term ESG as a catch all for the purposes of this session.

Learning Objectives

Having completed this course you will be able to:

• describe the context in which ESG reporting operates
• discuss the current status of, and future expectations about, ESG reporting regulation
• direct organisational efforts to adapt to new expectations
• identify current practice in ESG Reporting

Who Should Attend

This 4-hour session provides a comprehensive introduction to ESG reporting for business professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. It may be particularly useful to:

• Accountants, who will see increasing expectations for the integration of ESG and Financial Information, both internally and externally.
• Those charged with governance, who will be expected to understand the strategic impact of ESG issues on organizations and the accuracy of statements made by their organization in this area.
• Lawyers, who will need to assess compliance with increasingly complex ESG requirements.
• Managers, who will be expected to comply ESG regulations and report internally the information necessary to prepare ESG reports.
• Investor relations professionals who will need to be “on-message” with regards to ESG reporting
• Investors and other users of organizational reports, who will see a significant increase in the amount of ESG information reported.

Topics

• What is ESG Reporting?
• What is driving the interest in ESG Reporting?
• Who are the key stakeholders in ESG Reporting?
• What do the ESG Reporting frameworks look like?
• What does an ESG Report look like?
• What does it mean for organizations to measure and report ESG information?
• What are the current (and proposed) requirements related to ESG Reporting in key jurisdictions?
• The "climate first" approach – a special look at the Financial Stability Board’s framework for Climate-related Financial Disclosure
• What does the future look like for ESG Reporting?