POLICY
Sustainability reporting, standards and frameworks
MEET YOUR NET ZERO RESPONSIBILITIES WITH CONFIDENCE
In the UK and throughout the EU, many nations have set ambitious targets to achieve net zero by 2050 or sooner. To achieve these targets, nations will need to cut their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to as close to zero as possible.
Many governments and organisations are now developing sustainability reporting requirements, standards, and frameworks to accelerate this process. These are set requirements and guidelines for measuring, reducing, and disclosing your environmental impact. Some frameworks provide tools to help you make meaningful progress towards your carbon reduction goals, while others require companies to disclose sustainability targets and progress.
Keep reading to learn more about the sustainability standards and reporting requirements in place across the UK and Europe – and how we can help.
Track your sustainability responsibilities
Our Carbon Policy Tracker is a quick and easy way to start understanding your sustainability responsibilities.
Answer just a few short questions to find out which reporting regulations you need to comply with, plus the voluntary standards that could support your sustainability journey.
Regulation
A set of standards that you need to comply with.
Standard
A level of quality that you should aspire to meet.
Framework
A set of guidelines for achieving something
The policy landscape in the UK and EU
The climate policy landscape is constantly growing. This can make it tough to understand what’s required by law, what’s voluntary, which regulations measure and reduce your carbon emissions, and those that require you to disclose a sustainability report.
Here’s a quick overview of the key policies, standards, and frameworks in place across the UK and EU.
Please note: Some climate policies either mandate or strongly recommend the use of otherwise voluntary standards, such as the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. Use the ‘Relates to’ column to find instances of this or get in touch for more information.
| Name | Regulation, standard, or framework? | Supports… | Applies to companies… | Relates to… |
| Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) | Regulation | Reporting on ESG impact and financial disclosures | Registered or operating in the EU | GHG Protocol |
| Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) |
Regulation
|
Reporting on energy consumption | In the UK | GHG Protocol |
| GHG Protocol Corporate Standard | Standard (mandatory in some cases) | Measuring and reporting GHG emissions | Globally | CSRD, IFRS S2, ESOS, SBTi |
| International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2 |
Regulation
|
Reporting on sustainability and climate-related risks and opportunities |
Globally
|
GHG Protocol, TPT Disclosure Framework |
| ISO 14064 (GHG Requirements) |
Regulation
|
Reporting on GHG emissions and removals |
Globally
|
|
| SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard | Standard (voluntary) | Setting net zero targets |
Globally
|
GHG Protocol |
| Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR) |
Regulation
|
Reporting on energy and carbon emissions | In the UK | |
| Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) Disclosure Framework | Framework (mandatory in some cases) | Developing a roadmap to net zero | Globally | IFRS S2 |
| UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard (UK NZCBS) | Standard (voluntary) | Reducing carbon in construction | In the UK |
Sustainability reporting regulations in the UK and EU
Below are some of the key policies that require you to disclose information about your carbon emissions, climate-related risks, and progress to net zero.
Click on the policies below to learn more about each, including who needs to comply, how to meet the requirements, and how Planet Mark can help.
Sustainability standards and frameworks in the UK and EU
Below are some of the voluntary standards and frameworks designed to help you make meaningful climate action – from setting science-based net zero targets, to designing net zero buildings.
Click on each standard below to learn more, including who it applies to and how it can support your sustainability journey.
WEBINAR
The future of the UK’s sustainability reporting
The UK Sustainability Reporting Standard (UKSRS) is on its way. Are you prepared?
In this on-demand webinar, hosted by Planet Mark and the Carbon Accounting Alliance, you’ll learn how the public consultation proposals for the UKSRS will affect you, and get guidance on how to prepare with sustainability assurance and transition planning.
Watch the free webinar on demand today.
FAQs
What is sustainability reporting?
Sustainability reporting is the process of disclosing your organisation’s environmental impact. This may include your greenhouse gas emissions and the decarbonisation strategies you’ve put in place to reduce them.
What needs to be included in a sustainability report depends on a variety of factors, including whether you’re producing it voluntarily or to comply with a particular policy.
How do you write a sustainability report?
What your sustainability report needs to include will depend on why you’re writing it and who it’s for. For instance, if you’re producing a report for your investors, then you may want to disclose the climate-related risks that could affect your business.
If you’re producing a report to comply with a particular policy, then you should consider its specific requirements. Read more about each policy’s reporting requirements here:
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
- Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
- International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2
- ISO 14064 (GHG Requirements)
What are the benefits of sustainability reporting?
You may need to report on your sustainability impact under policies like SECR and CSRD. But even if you don’t, disclosing your environmental impact voluntarily can also have lots of great benefits:
- Prepare to meet new policies as the legislative landscape evolves.
- Strengthen your environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials.
- Use credible frameworks to assess and improve your climate action.
- Communicate your progress credibly to stakeholders, customers and investors.
- Become a top choice of supplier for companies with legal reporting obligations.
Read more in The business case for sustainability reporting.
Talk to a climate policy expert
We can support you to stay ahead of the legislative curve on your journey to net zero. Talk to our experts to discuss your business’s sustainability challenges and how our dedicated net zero solutions could help.