Based on an analysis of 200 companies’ CSRD-compliant sustainability disclosure, Deloitte has highlighted key trends within five industries: financial services; consumer goods; technology, media and telecommunications; energy, resources and industrials; and life sciences and health care.
Amongst the 37 financial services firms assessed, 90% disclosed financed or portfolio emissions targets, while almost all the organisations referenced the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) framework as the basis for calculating financed emissions.
Of the 62 consumer goods companies analysed, 95% disclosed emissions related to purchased goods and services, 94% reported on upstream transportation and distribution emissions, and 94% identified circular economy information as material for disclosure.
One third of the 30 technology, media and telecommunications companies identified responsible AI or algorithmic bias as a material impact, risk or opportunity, usually disclosed as entity-specific information.
Deloitte also found that 30 out of 55 energy, resources and industrials companies set explicit net-zero targets for Scope 3 GHG emissions, and 73% of these entities reported on biodiversity and ecosystems under ESRS E4.
Finally, of the 16 life sciences and health care organisations assessed, 38% explicitly identified access to medicines or healthcare equity as a material impact, 50% referenced patient safety in clinical protocols, and 45% addressed data privacy in trials.
Based on the observations of wave one reporting, Deloitte offers eight strategic recommendations for entities preparing to disclose under the CSRD:
- Embed sustainability into core business functions
- Use the assessment of material impacts, risks and opportunities as a strategic tool
- Invest in integrated data systems
- Set forward-looking measurable targets that are regularly reviewed
- Operationalise sustainability data as a strategic asset
- Engage early with value chain partners
- Establish governance for collaboration across functions
- Adopt a mindset of continuous learning
