ESG, Sustainability and Non-Financial Reporting (2024)

ESG agenda is developing dynamically and expectations for companies' activities and products are growing. ESG reporting is a means of informing the stakeholders (e.g. business partners– customers and suppliers, investors, employees, regulators, public) about responsible approach to environment, society and governance.

EU CSRD Directive, ESRS Standards and EU Taxonomy pose obligations on large companies to disclose information about sustainability (ESG). There are multiple other evolving regulations and trends to be aware of in the ESG landscape.
Overview for whom the ESG reporting becomes mandatory

The training programme is composed of four practical modules and it is suitable for those who need to understand or cooperate on ESG strategy and reporting in any role (legal & compliance, finance, HR, investor relations, procurement, logistics, environment, sales, marketing etc.). It will be appreciated by beginners as well as experienced ESG coordinators.

Topics covered:

• ESG at a glance:What does ESG mean, why it is important and what are the benefits. Practical illustrations from various industries. Orientation in ESG reports– what to look for and how to read in them.
• ESG reporting– regulations and voluntary frameworks:Who has the ESG reporting obligations and from when. Overview of mandatory and voluntary disclosure requirements (CSRD, EFRAG– ESRS, ISSB– IFRS SRS, GRI, SASB, TCFD).
• ESG report preparation– Content:Selecting the ESG reporting topics (mapping of relevance, prioritisation double materiality assessment). Scope of the report (who is covered entities, group level, value chain). Reporting principles to ensure quality. Stakeholders.
• ESG report preparation – Process:Practical guide– phases and steps in ESG report preparation. Reporting team composition. Anticipating and preventing typical problems.

Course details:

Time: 4 x 3 hours
Tutor:Radka Nedvědová

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We tailored this course to the needs of participants who already have experience with ESG reporting and do not need to start from the basics.

You will appreciate this training if you already report on sustainability on a voluntary or mandatory basis, based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI Standards) or another methodology. Although this is a very good ground for fulfilling the future obligations imposed on large EU companies and groups by the CSRD directive, there are some significant differences that will require a robust preparation.

We will take you through the major differences between voluntary (e.g. GRI-based) and mandatory CSRD reporting and explain their practical implications for the report content, process and sustainability governance.

We will focus on the following topics (and more):

• Double materiality assessment– extended by financial perspective of ESG matters,
• Inter-operability, similarities and differences between GRI and ESRS requirements and indicators,
• New mandatory disclosures in ESRS (differences and additions),
• Inclusion of entity-specific (industry) disclosures in the absence of ESRS sector standards,
• Mandatory EU Taxonomy disclosures (new to majority of reporters),
• Requirements for structure and form of the report, integration to annual report,
• Rules for claiming an exemption due to inclusion in consolidated report prepared by parent company,
• Mandatory external assurance.

Course details:

Time:3,5 – 4 hours
Tutor:Radka Nedvědová

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At the end of July 2023, the European Commission adopted the final version of the 1st set of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) that further specify the requirements set by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD, approved in January 2023). The reporting obligations apply to large undertakings and groups who need to include ESG information to their annual management reports.

During this course, you will orient yourself in the complex structure of the ESRS, learn what to look for and where, and gain confidence in navigating and working with the standards. You will familiarise yourself with the reporting principles that need to be followed to ensure quality and stand up to mandatory assurance.

You will learn about the structure, topics and disclosure requirements for the three pillars– E, S and G. You will be able to distinguish the mandatory and voluntary disclosures, as well as those that may be delayed.

Topics covered:

• Cross-cutting standards ESRS 1 and ESRS 2:
  • General requirements and disclosures mandatory for all undertakings subject to CSRD.
  • Strategy, impacts, risks and opportunities– their management and measurement.
  • Double materiality principle. Sustainability due diligence and value chain reporting.
  • Time horizons. Structure and presentation of the report.
• Environment:E1 Climate change, E2 Pollution, E3 Water and marine resources, E4 Biodiversity and ecosystems, E5 Resource use and circular economy.
• Social:S1 Own workforce, S2 Workers in the value chain, S3 Affected communities, S4 Consumers and end-users.
• Governance: G1 Business conduct.

The course is suitable for people who will coordinate or participate in preparation of the mandatory ESG reporting under the requirements of EU regulations– CSRD and ESRS. (EU Taxonomy is covered in another course).

Course details:

Time: 2 days
Tutor: Radka Nedvědová

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The Taxonomy is a relatively new EU regulation aimed at directing private finance towards sustainable activities. It brings a common classification and definition system of economic activities that are considered sustainable from the point of view of the EU with regard to the set objectives of the EU.Last but not least, it also brings disclosure obligations for companies and groups operating in the EU.

The implementation of taxonomic reporting is a complex discipline that requires a perfect knowledge of regulations and related European legislation.

Topics covered:

• Identification of eligible activities,
• Analysis of technical screening criteria,
• Evaluation of compliance with minimum safeguards in the field of human rights,
• Method of creation and calculation of mandatory KPIs for non-financial institutions,
• Form of Taxonomy report.

Course details:

Time: 1 day
Tutor: Matěj Schánilec

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European regulation, finance providers and major customers start requesting information on carbon footprint of a company or its products. Join us to learn what are the components of carbon footprint, how to calculate and how to decrease it.

You will learn about the following topics:

• Greenhouse Gas emissions – what are they and how to measure them:
  • scope 1 (direct emissions),
  • scope 2(indirect energy-related emissions) – location vs. market-based method,
  • scope 3(other indirect emissions) – downstream, upstream,
• Emission factors, CO2 equivalents,
• Company carbon footprint,
• Product carbon footprint,
• Carbon neutrality vs. Net Zero – offsets and compensations,
• Carbon footprint measurement and reporting standards – GHG Protocol, ISO 14064, ISO 14067, CDP,
• Carbon footprint calculation – phases, boundaries,
• Decarbonisation – SBTi, goals and means of reduction.

Course details:

Time: 1 day
Tutors: Martina Rozkošná, Josef Novotný

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What are ESG investments? What are the rules of environmentally sustainable investments according to the EU Taxonomy? How to perform climate, environmental and social proofing of investments? What is the relationship between ESG investments and the EU funds rules in 2021–2027 on one hand and sustainable finance of banks and other financial institutions on other hand? How do ESG investments relate to non-financial reporting of corporations and financial institutions? How does ESG apply to your business and financial plans and property insurance? How to integrate ESG into governance, investment project cycle management and procurement procedures in your corporation?

This six-day course divided into three modules will provide you not only with rounded key domain knowledge, but also with an opportunity to apply it to real cases studies during interactive workshops.

Modules of the programme:

• ESG, EU Taxonomy and DNSH in the context of ESRS
• Sustainability proofing of investments in the context of ESRS

Contact us for more information

What are ESG investments? What are the rules of environmentally sustainable investments according to the EU Taxonomy? How to perform climate, environmental and social proofing of investments? What is the relationship between ESG investments and the EU funds rules in 2021–2027 on one hand and sustainable finance of banks and other financial institutions on other hand? How do ESG investments relate to non-financial reporting of corporations and financial institutions?How do ESG topics relate to investment planning and property insurance? How to integrate ESG into governance, investment project cycle management and public procurement in your city, town or state institution?

This six-day course covering 42 hours of training accredited with the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic (for public servants of territorial self-governments) will provide you not only with rounded key domain knowledge, but also with an opportunity to apply it to real cases studies during interactive workshops.

Modules of the programme:

• ESG and EU Taxonomy – fundamentals, significance, application, case studies and outlook,
• Fundamentals of sustainability rules on investment projects of EU funds in 2021–2027,
• Climate (mitigation and adaptation) sustainability proofing of investment projects,
• Environmental and social sustainability proofing of investment projects,
• Sustainability & ESG governance, standards and quality management systems,
• Project cycle management and procurement versus sustainability and ESG.

Contact us for more information