In a recent investigation, it was found that an impressive 85% of businesses rely on external consultants for their sustainability reports.
In a recent survey conducted by Sustainability Makers, an Italian association of professionals specializing in the development of sustainability strategies and projects, it was revealed that less than 55% of companies are currently ready to comply with key regulations like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
The survey, conducted by the scientific direction of Sustainability Makers, was distributed among over 350 members of the association. The findings will be presented in a webinar scheduled for December 3, offering an opportunity to learn more about the survey results.
The survey focused on companies' approaches to drafting their new sustainability reports in compliance with the European CSRD directive. The results indicate a high reliance on external consultants for this purpose, with 85% of the companies surveyed seeking such assistance.
Many companies still face significant challenges in meeting CSRD requirements, such as data gaps, complex accounting, and evolving regulatory targets. Some firms even resort to estimated or inaccurate ESG data to fulfill expectations.
However, the overall sentiment among business leaders is that embedding sustainability is critical for long-term growth and operational resilience, not just regulatory adherence. Companies are increasingly investing in ESG risk mapping, digital tools, and supplier engagement platforms to improve compliance and data reliability.
This indicates a substantial readiness gap in CSRD implementation, with nearly half of surveyed entities struggling to meet compliance deadlines and standards. Nevertheless, the survey results underscore the importance of sustainability for corporate leaders, who view it as essential for managing risks, supply chain stability, and gaining competitive advantage.
For those interested in learning more about the survey findings, the webinar on December 3 promises to provide additional data and insights into the current state of CSRD implementation among the surveyed companies.
Feedback can be provided on the Sustainability Makers' website. Please note that this article has been translated by AI.
Sources: 1. Sustainability Makers survey results 2. EcoVadis data (cited in third source) 3. Sustainability Makers webinar announcement
- Given the survey results, it appears that many companies in the environmental-science sector, in particular, are relying heavily on external consultants to help them comply with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), as evidenced by the fact that 85% of the companies surveyed sought such assistance.
- While the survey reveals a substantial readiness gap in CSRD implementation, with nearly half of the surveyed entities struggling to meet compliance deadlines and standards, the findings also underline the importance of sustainability for businesses, as corporate leaders view it as crucial for managing risks, supply chain stability, and gaining a competitive advantage in finance and business.
