ESG Reporting FAQs: What Finance and Sustainability Leaders Need to Know

21 · 05 · 25

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting is rapidly evolving from a voluntary disclosure to a regulatory and stakeholder expectation. As organisations face increasing scrutiny from investors, regulators, and the public, finance and sustainability teams are under pressure to deliver transparent, consistent, and auditable ESG data.

At HAYNE Solutions, we help businesses align their ESG reporting processes with leading frameworks and regulatory requirements, leveraging platforms such as CCH Tagetik. Here are the key questions we hear from finance and ESG leaders looking to enhance their ESG reporting capabilities.

What is ESG reporting and why does it matter?

ESG reporting involves disclosing data on an organisation’s environmental impact, social performance, and governance practices. It provides stakeholders with insights into how a company manages risks and opportunities beyond financial metrics, increasingly influencing investment and regulatory decisions.

What frameworks should we report against (e.g. CSRD, TCFD, GRI)?

This depends on your jurisdiction, industry, and stakeholder expectations. Common frameworks include GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), TCFD (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures), SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board), and the new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which mandates detailed ESG disclosures from 2024 onwards.

What are the biggest challenges in ESG reporting?

Typical challenges include data availability and quality, siloed reporting, lack of standardised metrics, limited auditability, and evolving regulatory requirements. Many organisations also struggle to connect ESG data with financial impact.

How can ESG reporting be integrated with financial reporting?

Using platforms like CCH Tagetik, ESG data can be aligned with financial reporting processes, enabling consistent data collection, cross-functional collaboration, and integrated disclosure management. This also supports combined ESG and financial scenario analysis.

Who is responsible for ESG reporting — finance, sustainability, or both?

While sustainability teams often lead the initiative, finance increasingly plays a critical role in ensuring data integrity, control, and audit-readiness. Successful ESG reporting typically involves both functions working together with shared ownership.

Can ESG disclosures be audited or assured?

Yes. Increasingly, regulators and stakeholders are expecting assurance over ESG data. Using a structured ESG reporting platform enables traceability, documentation, and workflow control — supporting both internal reviews and external audits.

What role does technology play in ESG reporting?

Technology streamlines ESG data collection, validation, consolidation, and reporting. It also helps track KPIs, manage workflows, and align disclosures with evolving frameworks. Platforms like Tagetik provide pre-built templates for CSRD and other standards.

How does ESG reporting link to risk and strategy?

ESG risks — from climate change to social impact — can materially affect long-term value. ESG reporting enables organisations to assess these risks systematically and embed sustainability into corporate strategy and decision-making.

How can we track and report carbon emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3)?

A structured ESG platform supports carbon accounting across Scope 1 (direct emissions), Scope 2 (indirect energy-related emissions), and Scope 3 (value chain emissions). This includes emission factor libraries, audit trails, and scenario modelling capabilities.

Is CSRD compliance mandatory for UK businesses?

While CSRD is an EU directive, UK businesses with significant operations in the EU or listed entities may fall within scope. Even if not legally required, aligning with CSRD prepares businesses for future ESG demands and investor expectations.

ESG Reporting with Clarity, Control and Compliance

Whether you’re preparing for CSRD, enhancing stakeholder trust, or embedding ESG into your financial strategy, HAYNE Solutions can help. We enable ESG reporting that is transparent, auditable, and fully aligned with your business goals.

Contact us today to explore how you can streamline your ESG disclosures with confidence.

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