NEXUM AG

A Guide for Businesses navigating the EU's Sustainability Reporting Changes

The EU has introduced new sustainability regulations, to address climate change and environmental concerns. This blog post explores these regulations' details and their impact on EU businesses, providing practical advice on preparing for these changes and meeting sustainability obligations, making it relevant for business owners, investors, and sustainability enthusiasts seeking a more sustainable future.

Convince with sustainability – we show you how!

Get in touch

Understanding the Regulatory Changes

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a new EU directive that aims to improve the quality and consistency of sustainability reporting across the EU. The CSRD will replace the existing Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) and expand the scope of reporting requirements to include more companies.

Further Information

Under the CSRD, companies will be required to report on a range of sustainability issues, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. The reporting requirements will be more detailed and standardized than under the NFRD, and companies will be required to report on a wider range of ESG issues.
The objectives of the CSRD are to improve the quality and comparability of sustainability reporting, increase transparency and accountability, and provide investors and other stakeholders with better information on companies' sustainability performance.

EU-Taxonomy

The EU Taxonomy is a classification system for environmentally sustainable economic activities. The EU Taxonomy aims to provide businesses with a common language for sustainable finance and help investors identify sustainable investment opportunities.

Further Information

The EU Taxonomy will require companies to report on their alignment with the taxonomy, which means that they will need to identify which of their activities are environmentally sustainable and report on their progress towards meeting the taxonomy's criteria. This will require companies to have a more detailed understanding of their environmental impact and take steps to reduce it.

The criteria for environmentally sustainable economic activities under the EU Taxonomy are based on six environmental objectives: climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, transition to a circular economy, pollution prevention and control, and protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Lieferkettengesetzgebung (Supply Chain Legislation)

The “Lieferkettengesetzgebung”, is a new law in Germany that requires companies to report on their supply chain due diligence efforts and take steps to prevent human rights abuses and environmental harm in their supply chains.

Further Information

Under the Lieferkettengesetzgebung, companies will be required to identify and address potential risks and challenges in their supply chains and to report on their due diligence efforts. This will require companies to have a more detailed understanding of their supply chains and take steps to ensure that they are transparent and free from human rights abuses and environmental damages.

The importance of compliance with the Lieferkettengesetzgebung cannot be overstated, as failure to comply can result in significant reputational and financial risks for companies. Companies will need to develop strategies for compliance with the law, which may include conducting due diligence assessments, engaging with suppliers, and implementing monitoring and reporting systems.

Summary

In summary, the regulatory changes introduced by the EU, have significant implications for businesses operating in the EU. Companies will need to ensure that they are complying with the new reporting requirements and aligning their sustainability strategies with the EU Taxonomy. They will also need to take steps to ensure that their supply chains are transparent and free from human rights abuses and environmental harm in order to comply with the Lieferkettengesetzgebung.

Knowledge

Future compliance: What to learn about upcoming regulations in sustainability for your business.

Key Requirements for Companies

CSRD-Richtlinie (EU) 2022/2464

  1. Disclosure of information on five reporting areas: Business model, concepts and due diligence processes, results of these concepts, risks and their management, and key performance indicators.
  2. Disclosure of information on environmental factors such as climate, air, soil, water and biodiversity and related interdependencies.
  3. Disclosure of information on the business strategy and resilience of the business model and strategy in relation to sustainability risks.
  4. Disclosure of any plans to ensure compatibility of the business model and strategy with the transition to a sustainable economy and with the goals of limiting global warming to 1.5°C with no or limited overshoot, in line with the Paris Agreement, and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
  5. Verification of sustainability reporting by independent auditors.

Supply Chain Law (Germany)

  1. Companies with more than 500 employees and a global annual net turnover of €150 million or more must comply with due diligence obligations.
  2. Companies with more than 250 employees and an annual turnover of €40 million or more must comply with due diligence requirements if they generate at least €20 million of their turnover in a high-risk sector.
  3. Companies from third countries must comply with due diligence requirements if they either have more than €150 million in annual net turnover in the EU or €40-150 million in annual net turnover in the EU and at least €20 million of their global turnover in a high-risk sector.
  4. Companies must identify, take preventive and remedial action and report on human rights and certain environmental risks in their value chains.
  5. Companies must do what is appropriate in light of the severity of the risk and their individual capacity to influence it.

EU Taxonomy Regulation (EU) 2020/852:

  1. Large companies with more than 500 employees must publish key performance indicators annually.
  2. A complete list of environmental targets must be developed.
  3. Criteria for environmentally sustainable business activities must be regularly adjusted.
  4. Capital flows must be channelled towards sustainable investments.
  5. Technical assessment criteria for different economic activities must be established.

Benefits of Sustainability Reporting & Measurement

Sustainability reporting and measurement can provide a range of benefits for businesses that are worthwhile to prioritize as a strategic initiative.

  1. Improved reputation and stakeholder engagement
    by reporting on their sustainability performance and demonstrating their commitment to sustainability.
  2. Reduced costs and increased efficiency
    by identifying areas where the company can improve its sustainability performance and improve operational efficiency.
  3. Attracting new customers and investors
    by highlighting their sustainability performance, companies can differentiate themselves from competitors and appeal to customers.

    In summary, sustainability reporting and measurement can provide a range of benefits for businesses, that go well beyond being more sustainable and impact core business practices in a positive way. Helping Business improving future viability and long-term growth.

We offer comprehensive services focused on facilitating business growth and sustainability, including workshops that guide you in transitioning to a value proposition aligned with societal needs while boosting your business.

More about our Sustainability Workshop Series.

Sustainability Reporting Process Setup

Setting up an effective sustainability reporting process involves assessing the company's current sustainability practices, defining sustainability goals and metrics, and implementing sustainability reporting and measurement.

Assesment

Conducting a sustainability audit to identify strengths and weaknesses in the areas:

  • all aspects of operations
  • energy use
  • waste management
  • water consumption
  • social impacts
  • environmental impacts


Goal definition

Developing a sustainability strategy that aligns with business goals and objectives. Sustainability goals and metrics should be (SMART):

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

Implementation

Choosing the right reporting framework and standards to reliably analyse data on a regular basis. The reporting framework and standards should provide a transparent picture of the sustainability performance.

Conclusion

The recent EU regulatory changes have significant implications for businesses in the EU, as they require improved sustainability reporting, supply chain transparency, and proactive measures to reduce environmental and social impact. Key takeaways include complying with new reporting requirements and aligning strategies with the EU Taxonomy, ensuring transparent and ethical supply chains, and implementing key performance indicators and environmental targets for large companies. Businesses should view these changes as an opportunity to demonstrate commitment to sustainability and gain a competitive edge in the market, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for all.

We provide expert guidance in digitilization and sustainability practices.

Based on the initial audit results, we'll develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy that aligns with your business goals and values. Lets work on meeting the needs of sustainably conscious consumers and make a positive impact on your business together!

► Back to the overview

We are Sustainability
Enthusiasts

... always looking to make the world a little bit more sustainable one website at a time.Get in touch
Yannick
Maren
Nadira
Christian Lammers
Rebekah
Philipp
Gundel
Angela

Get in touch

Christian Lammers

Your contact

Christian Lammers

Christian Lammers

Head of Business Unit Digital Business & Company Building


+4915165657913
[email protected]

Availability

This field is required.