In our Talking ESG podcast series, we give an end-to-end look at what it takes to build effective ESG reporting in today’s environment. From investor to stakeholder expectations, from  global frameworks to data, process, and controls—there’s something in it for everyone.

This week Heather Horn sat down with Nadja Picard, PwC’s Global Reporting Leader, and Andreas Ohl, PwC National office partner, to discuss ESG reporting with a focus on the European Commission’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive or CSRD, and how it may impact companies outside the EU (including US companies that do business in Europe).

Topics include:

• 5:04 - What is CSRD? The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive or CSRD was proposed by the European Commission this year and introduces potential big changes for companies with operations in Europe. Heather and Nadja talk through the impact of the directive and why it will impact more than just EU companies.
• 13:27 - What are the requirements? Nadja and Andreas provide insight on the CSRD proposal, including the requirements that certain companies disclose information on the way they operate and manage social and environmental challenges.
• 28:08 - Advice for listeners. Complying with CSRD requirements goes beyond reporting. Companies may have articulated a net zero strategy, but often have not laid out in detail how they plan to get there and what processes they have to track their progress. An early draft of how climate related disclosures may look like under the CSRD requires  transparency on exactly that. Nadja and Andreas give listeners practical advice on how to prepare.
• 42:59 - Blind spots? Nadja and Andreas discuss areas that companies are prone to overlook as they think about their ESG reporting. Some tend to focus on one topic, instead of addressing ESG holistically.

Want to learn more?

• Listen to our previous podcasts in this series, Talking ESG: Taking reporting from theory to action and Talking ESG: How investor views may impact your reporting

Nadja Picard is PwC’s Global Reporting Leader. In this role she leads PwC’s global initiative to help clients transform their corporate reporting to meet investor and stakeholder demands for trusted and assured reporting beyond financial reporting. Nadja also advises companies on the accounting, corporate reporting, and investor relations requirements in advance of capital markets transactions, especially IPOs.

Andreas Ohl is a partner in PwC's National Office focused on thought leadership, standard setting, and mergers and acquisitions under US GAAP and IFRS. Andreas is chairman of the Business Valuation Standards Board at the International Valuation Standards Council, is a member of the working group that authored the AICPA's in-process R&D guide, and has served as a member of the FASB's Valuation Resource Group.

Heather Horn is a Deputy Chief Accountant in PwC’s National Office and leader of the thought leadership group, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry.

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