By a CSRD Expert at Peterson Solutions
For many companies, the word “reporting” sparks thoughts of spreadsheets, deadlines, and regulatory pressure. But the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) isn’t just about checking boxes, it’s about building trust, driving performance, and shaping a future-proof business.
With the CSRD now in effect across the European Union, a new chapter in sustainability accountability has begun. And for companies across industries, the message is clear: transparency is no longer optional. It’s expected.
Chapter 1: What Is CSRD And Why Does It Matter?
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) replaces the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), raising the bar for ESG disclosures and expanding the scope of companies required to report.
But the CSRD is more than a regulatory update. It’s a shift in how companies define performance, placing sustainability on equal footing with financial success.
The CSRD applies to:
- Large EU-based companies meeting revenue or employee thresholds
- Listed EU companies (excluding micro-enterprises)
- Non-EU companies with operations generating over €150 million in EU revenue
Key reporting themes under CSRD include:
- Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts
- Double materiality: How ESG factors affect business, and how business impacts society and the environment
- Compliance with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
- Third-party assurance of ESG data
Chapter 2: Your Roadmap to CSRD Compliance
Becoming CSRD-ready requires a clear, phased approach. At Peterson Solutions, we guide organizations through each step—making complex compliance simple and actionable.
Phase 1: Assessment & Gap Analysis
Identify where you stand. Evaluate your existing ESG efforts and pinpoint gaps against CSRD expectations.
Phase 2: Data Governance
Establish systems to manage large volumes of ESG data, from emissions tracking to labor practices.
Phase 3: Align With ESRS
Adopt the ESRS framework to ensure standardized, comparable disclosures across your operations.
Phase 4: Internal Training & Stakeholder Engagement
Build internal ESG literacy and engage stakeholders to ensure transparent and inclusive reporting.
Phase 5: Materiality Assessment
Conduct a robust double materiality assessment to prioritize which sustainability topics truly matter.
Phase 6: Data Collection & Reporting
Automate ESG data collection across departments and prepare the CSRD-aligned report with audit-ready evidence.
Phase 7: Verification & Continuous Improvement
Prepare for third-party assurance and create feedback loops to evolve your reporting annually.
Don’t know where to begin?
Start your CSRD journey with a gap analysis led by Peterson’s ESG experts. Email us ptech.commercial@onepeterson.com