Four questions (and answers) about the double materiality assessment
Companies face the challenge of looking for ‘shared value creation’: “How do you continue to create value for your company, its stakeholders and the planet in a rapidly changing society?” A double materiality analysis makes it clear which topics are extremely relevant for your company and your stakeholders, and therefore forms the foundation for a future-oriented (business) strategy. All companies impacted by the new European reporting requirement – the CSRD, or Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive – are obliged to perform such a double materiality analysis.
Update: on 26 February 2025, the European Commission published its EU Omnibus proposal to simplify sustainability legislation. Read our more recent article about it here.
Five ways to benefit from your CSRD report
At least 42% of all Belgian employees work in a company directly covered by the CSRD, or Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. More than 2,500 companies are required by this European directive to publish an annual sustainability report from 2025 onward: a major challenge that will cost businesses time, energy and money. But how can you use the CSRD to gain an advantage? Discover five ways to do so here.
Update: on 26 February 2025, the European Commission published its EU Omnibus proposal to simplify sustainability legislation. Read our more recent article about it here.
Assistance with reporting on your value chain
Sustainability reports edited according to European reporting standards will have to provide insights into your company’s value chain, in addition to company-specific information. This poses quite a challenge for reporting organizations, but is nonetheless extremely important. After all, a broad overview of your value chain gives a more complete understanding of your ESG-related impacts, risks and opportunities. At the same time, Europe hopes to achieve a snowball effect with the CSRD, and also push companies towards more sustainable business operations outside of its scope. Closer contact with stakeholders throughout your value chain, including on their policies and ESG data, contributes to this.
Update: on 26 February 2025, the European Commission published its EU Omnibus proposal to simplify sustainability legislation. Read our more recent article about it here.
Was it net zero, climate neutral or carbon neutral?
The three most important terms when setting climate targets are often used interchangeably. Wrongly so, thinks Kenneth Van den Bergh, co-founder of carbon accounting specialist Carbon + Alt + Delete. Because net zero, climate neutrality, and carbon neutrality are separate concepts, each with different implications. And it is high time to list them.
A sustainable narrative for a report with a clear message
Publishing a CSRD report is a big challenge, but equally provides an ideal opportunity to initiate or expand the sustainable transformation of your company. So don’t look at the report merely as ‘a task to be ticked off the list’, but rather regard it as added value for your organisation. A sustainable narrative is the foundation of sharing your strategy: the common thread in your report and the stepping stone to communicate about it after publication.
The gap analysis as a key part of your CSRD trajectory
The CSRD gap analysis is a critical step following the examination of your double materiality assessment. We explain its importance and the main steps involved.
Update: on 26 February 2025, the European Commission published its EU Omnibus proposal to simplify sustainability legislation. Read our more recent article about it here.
New regulation for European carbon prices: the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
On 1 October 2023, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) came into force. This is a new tool through which Europe aims to combat carbon leakage and to put a fair price on the carbon emissions of certain goods entering the European Union. The CBAM will have a direct impact on organisations working with carbon-intensive goods and materials, and indirectly affect the carbon approach of other companies. Here we summarise the main points for you.
Update: on 26 February 2025, the European Commission published its EU Omnibus proposal to simplify sustainability legislation. Read our more recent article about it here.
From ‘ticking the box’ to value creation: takeaways from our CSRD seminar
On Monday 23 October 2023, we invited 200 sustainability professionals for a crash course on CSRD and sustainability reporting. The key question of the day: How do you create value in a world increasingly focused on sustainability? We sum up our key answers for you.
Update: on 26 February 2025, the European Commission published its EU Omnibus proposal to simplify sustainability legislation. Read our more recent article about it here.
Double materiality analysis: this is how you do it
The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) publishes guidelines on the materiality analysis; a key concept in mandatory sustainability reporting under the CSRD. What do you need to know?
Update: on 26 February 2025, the European Commission published its EU Omnibus proposal to simplify sustainability legislation. Read our more recent article about it here.
