ESG, Sustainability and Non-Financial Reporting

The area of European regulations in the field of ESG reporting according to CSRD is currently undergoing significant changes (known as the EU Omnibus). In the future, we can expect substantial simplification in several areas of ESG reporting, including a revised set of ESRS standards. While the extension of relief for already reporting companies, a two-year postponement of obligations for other companies, and the simplification of reporting according to the EU taxonomy have already been approved, the overall scope of future reporting is still subject to expert discussions and political negotiations.

Get an overview of the main changes in CSRD

The course will guide you through this complex situation and explain how the changes will affect your reporting obligations and preparation.

This course is suitable for:

We recommend the training to professionals from already reporting companies who want to strengthen their understanding of their company's current and future reporting obligations, as well as to professionals from companies that are taking advantage of the postponement of reporting requirements but do not want to underestimate timely preparation. It is also suitable for auditors who discuss sustainability information verification with their clients and want to be familiar with both approved and planned changes. It may also appeal to the general public interested in current events in the field of ESG reporting.

Course description:

The training will provide a structured overview of changes in various areas of European reporting regulation according to the CSRD directive and the timeline of their actual or anticipated validity. The course will present the basic approved changes and, for items still under discussion and change, will introduce key proposals and their potential impact on ESG reporting.

Topics covered:

• Individual initiatives that change ESG reporting according to the CSRD directive:
  • Approved changes and a brief overview of their content,
    • "Stop the clock" – postponement of reporting obligations,
    • "Quick fix" – extension of transitional relief for already reporting companies,
    • Simplification of reporting according to the EU taxonomy,
    • VSME – standard for small and medium-sized enterprises,
  • Changes in the approval process, their content, and timeline,
    • Proposed adjustments to ESRS standards for large companies,
    • "Omnibus – Content" – changes in size criteria for companies reporting from 2027, the scope of value chain reporting, independent auditor verification, and more,
• Summarized impact of approved and anticipated changes on sustainability reporting.

Course details: 

Time: 4 hours
Tutor: Radka Nedvědová

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The area of European regulations in the field of ESG is currently undergoing significant changes. In the future, we can expect substantial simplification of ESG reporting according to the CSRD directive, including a revised set of ESRS standards. However, their application is expected to begin as late as the reporting period of 2027.

Entities of the so-called original 1st wave of reporting (large public interest entities) will continue to issue sustainability reports according to the first set of ESRS standards (with a few minor changes) in the next period. Mandatory sustainability reports for 2024 are therefore a good starting point for understanding these reports and the information contained in them in the coming years.

This course is suitable for:

We recommend the training to a wide range of interested parties who want to better understand the content of sustainability reports according to the first set of ESRS standards. We recommend taking the course in combination with the course Changes in ESG reporting – Omnibus update 2025.

Course description:

During the training, we will show on the example of several sustainability reports for 2024 how companies have translated the requirements of the first set of ESRS standards into practice. The course will provide both an overview of the structure and content of sustainability reports and a more advanced analysis of some of the more complex disclosure requirements. Where possible, we will show examples (not only) of good practice.

Topics covered:

• Introduction to the structure of the sustainability report according to CSRD / ESRS,
• Results of summary analyses of sustainability reports for 2024 for various sectors,
• Different approaches to double materiality analysis and the selection of significant topics, including the most common pitfalls in practical assessment of impact, risks, and opportunities,
• The nature of mandatory information according to the cross-cutting standard ESRS 2,
• Use of phased-in disclosure requirements,
• Thematic standards according to individual pillars:
  • Most frequently reported areas of standards and how to interpret them,
  • Problematic areas of reporting with frequent auditor findings,
  • Balance of provided positive and negative information.

Course details: 

Time: 1 day
Tutor: Eva Prokšová

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The Taxonomy is an EU regulation aimed at directing private finance towards sustainable activities. It provides a unified classification and definition system for economic activities that are considered sustainable by the EU with regard to the set objectives of the EU. Additionally, it imposes disclosure obligations on companies and groups operating within the EU.

The implementation of taxonomic reporting is a complex discipline that requires thorough knowledge of regulations and related European legislation.

Who is the course suitable for:

This course is intended for anyone involved in creating a taxonomic report within a company's Sustainability Report or auditing it. It is also suitable for those participating in implementing taxonomy into corporate processes. Those who already have knowledge of the taxonomy but wish to learn more about the proposed changes within the Omnibus package will also benefit from this course.

Course description:

In this course, you will learn about the requirements for assessing and reporting economic activities according to the EU taxonomy. We will cover all stages of the process from initial screening of a company's economic activities to writing the taxonomic report. The course also includes the context of the taxonomic regulation within the European sustainability legislation, a detailed introduction to all relevant regulations that constitute the taxonomy, practical exercises, and tips and tricks from practice.

Topics covered:

• Identification of eligible activities,
• Analysis of technical screening criteria,
• Evaluation of compliance with minimum safeguards in the field of human rights,
• Method of creation and calculation of mandatory KPIs for non-financial institutions, 
• Structure of the taxonomy report,
• Proposal for changes in the taxonomy submitted within the Omnibus project.

Course details:

Time: 1 day
Tutor: Lenka Daniševská / Matěj Schánilec

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European regulation, finance providers and major customers are requesting information on carbon footprint of a company or its products. Join us to learn what are the components of carbon footprint, how to calculate and how to decrease it.

You will learn about the following topics:

• Greenhouse Gas emissions – what are they and how to measure them:
  • Scope 1 (direct emissions),
  • Scope 2 (indirect energy-related emissions) – location vs. market-based method,
  • Scope 3 (other indirect emissions) – downstream, upstream,
• Emission factors, CO2 equivalents,
• Company carbon footprint,
• Product carbon footprint,
• Carbon neutrality vs. Net Zero – offsets and compensations,
• Carbon footprint measurement and reporting standards – GHG Protocol, ISO 14064, ISO 14067, CDP,
• Carbon footprint calculation – phases, boundaries,
• Decarbonisation – SBTi, goals and means of reduction.

Course details: 

Time: 1 day
Tutors: Jana Holková, Jana Neuhäuserová​

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While the first wave of companies have already completed the first reporting period and published their sustainability reports for 2024 in accordance with the requirements of the CSRD Directive, EU Taxonomy and ESRS standards, the regulatory rules for the second wave are currently undergoing revision. 

This course responds to the proposed changes and reflects the situation of companies that need to orient themselves and decide how to approach ESG reporting regarding the expected amendments of: 

• The scope of entities for which reporting under the CSRD will be mandatory,
• The time frame of the obligations,
• Standards that will govern the preparation of the sustainability reports.

Although the future form of the regulation will develop in the next few months and the outcome cannot be predicted with certainty, it is appropriate to consider now what options are available to companies. The course will present facts and assumptions that will facilitate decision-making and planning of preparation, and at the same time explain the basics of working with the reporting standards. 

This course is suitable for:

• Company representatives who will be deciding on the approach to ESG reporting depending on the current and future legal regulations,
• Participants who will coordinate or cooperate in the preparation of mandatory (or voluntary) ESG reporting to meet the requirements of ESG regulations – CSRD and ESRS,
• Auditors who will provide assurance on their clients' sustainability reports and need to navigate in the changing regulations.

Course description:

We have adapted the course content to the needs of the so-called second wave of companies, for which the reporting obligation under the CSRD directive was supposed to apply for the first time for 2025. While for some, the obligation will be delayed, others may prepare ESG reporting voluntarily based on simplified standards if they are no longer legally required report. 

To help you navigate the changing landscape, we will summarize the current status and expected changes for you, and you will learn the basics of reporting according to ESRS standards for large as well as for small and medium enterprises. 

Both sets of standards may still undergo changes. However, for timely decision-making, it is crucial to understand what they entail, how to understand their requirements and how they can meet your information needs, as well as those of your business and financial partners. There is no need to postpone this training for later – on the contrary, it will give you insights that will make it easier for you to appropriately direct your next steps. 

Topics covered:

• CSRD Directive and Omnibus proposal: 
  • Comparison between the current regulation and the proposed changes to reporting obligations,
  • Main changes presented in the Omnibus proposal (change in criteria for entities in scope, change in timing, types of standards),
  • Sources of information for monitoring further development of the proposed changes,
  • Practical implications for the reporting preparation process,
  • Examples of published reports for 2024.

• ESRS standards (1st set) – first wave companies and large companies according to the new criteria:
  • Orientation in the structure, tips for understanding and working effectively with the standards,
  • Standard ESRS 1 – reporting principles, basic concepts, structure of the reports (double materiality, value chain, stakeholders, due diligence), 
  • Standard ESRS  2 – areas of mandatory disclosures (governance, strategy and business model, stakeholders, management of sustainability matters), 
  • Topical standards – what matters they address, what information to use and how to write about them (analysis, strategies, policies, actions, targets, metrics)
    • Environmental standards ESRS E1 – E5,
    • Social standards ESRS S1 – S4,
    • Governance standard ESRS G1.

• VSME – voluntary standard for small and medium-sized enterprises (some enterprises of the original second wave):
  • Main differences compared to the 1st set of standards for large enterprises,
  • Voluntary use, expectations of financial institutions and large customers,
  • Orientation in the structure, principles of application (basic & comprehensive module),
  • Overview and explanation of requirements.

Course details: 

Time: 2 days
Tutor: Radka Nedvědová

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The double materiality assessment is one of the first and most critical steps in preparing for sustainability (ESG) reporting in accordance with the CSRD directive and the Act on Accounting. It determines which topics the company will include in the mandatory sustainability report. The requirements for this assessment are outlined in the ESRS 1 standard. The process and results of the assessment are among the information that must be disclosed in the sustainability report. A well-conducted and robust analysis provides the foundation for further preparatory steps, while underestimating it can lead to complications in later stages of the reporting process.

Who is the course suitable for:

The course is suitable for those, who will coordinate or collaborate on the preparation of mandatory ESG reporting to meet the requirements of ESG regulations – CSRD and ESRS. It will also meet the needs of auditors, who will provide assurance on the sustainability reports of their clients. The course can be taken independently or in combination with other courses on the ESRS standards.

Course description:

The course will not only introduce you to the ESRS standards' requirements for conducting and reporting on the double materiality analysis, but also provide practical examples of how to approach each phase of the assessment. The methodology details are at each company’s discretion (e.g., the way of scoring the impacts, risks, and opportunities), so it is important to understand different approaches and their implications. The training will also include practical exercises, allowing you to try out the assessment process.

Topics covered:

• Requirements for Double Materiality Assessment:
  • Process according to ESRS 1,
  • Disclosure on process and results according to ESRS 2 requirements,
  • Non-binding implementation guidance and answers to frequently asked questions (EFRAG),
• Key terms:
  • Impact and financial materiality,
  • Impacts (incl. their classification), risks and opportunities,
• Phases of the assessment - step by step approach:
  • Understanding (mapping the context):
    • Own operations,
    • Value chain,
    • Stakeholders,
  • Identification of impacts, risks and opportunities (including practical examples):
    • Sustainability matters covered by ESRS standards,
    • Industry- / sector-specific or company-specific matters, not (yet) addressed by ESRS,
  • Materiality assessment (including practical exercises):
    • Evaluation criteria (characteristics of impacts, risks and opportunities),
    • Possible ways of determining materiality (examples of scoring, scales, calculations),
  • Determining the material topics for sustainability reporting:
    • Setting the materiality threshold (value, matrix),
    • Validation of results (internally, externally),
    • Mapping to the disclosure requirements (what will / will not be covered in the report).

Course details:

Time: 1 day
Tutor: Radka Nedvědová

Register here

Who is the course suitable for:

The course is suitable for those, who will be coordinating or collaborating on the preparation of mandatory ESG reporting to meet the requirements of ESG regulations – CSRD and ESRS. A separate course is dedicated to the EU taxonomy.

Course description:

At the end of July 2023, the European Commission adopted the final version of the 1st set of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) that further specify the requirements set by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD, approved in January 2023). The reporting obligations apply to large undertakings and groups who need to include ESG information to their annual management reports.

During this course, you will orient yourself in the complex structure of the ESRS, learn what to look for and where, and gain confidence in navigating and working with the standards. You will familiarise yourself with the reporting principles that need to be followed to ensure quality and stand up to mandatory assurance.

You will learn about the structure, topics and disclosure requirements for the three pillars – E, S and G. You will be able to distinguish the mandatory and voluntary disclosures, as well as those that may be delayed.

Topics covered:

• Cross-cutting standards ESRS 1 and ESRS 2:
  • General requirements and disclosures mandatory for all undertakings subject to CSRD.
  • Strategy, impacts, risks and opportunities – their management and measurement.
  • Double materiality principle. Sustainability due diligence and value chain reporting.
  • Time horizons. Structure and presentation of the report.
• Environment: E1 Climate change, E2 Pollution, E3 Water and marine resources, E4 Biodiversity and ecosystems, E5 Resource use and circular economy.
• Social: S1 Own workforce, S2 Workers in the value chain, S3 Affected communities, S4 Consumers and end-users.
• Governance: G1 Business conduct.

Course details:

Time: 2 days
Tutor: Radka Nedvědová

This course currently runs on demand only.

Contact us for more details

Who is the course suitable for:

ESG coordinators who are interested in obtaining deeper understanding of standards in the environmental pillar are recommended to take part in this course after participating in the course Mandatory ESG reporting – EU CSRD & ESRS Standards. Those who participate in measurement and collection of reported environmental information may take this course as a stand-alone option.

Recommended combination of courses:

We recommend combining this course with the training on Carbon footprint measurement and disclosure and ESRS Standards - governance pillar, sustainable due diligence and value chain.

Course description:

We are going to have a deeper look into environmental standards: E1 – Climate change (from the disclosure point of view; problematics of the carbon footprint calculation itself is covered by a single special course), E2 – Pollution, E3 – Water and marine resources, E4 – Biodiversity and ecosystems and E5 – Resource use and circular economy.

You will obtain an overview of the common structure of “E” standards, we will introduce key concepts and definitions and discuss the interaction of cross-cutting standards with “E” standards. You will learn about individual disclosure requirements and whether they result from double materiality assessment or whether they are subject to mandatory disclosure regardless of the result of such an assessment. Main provisions of the standards will be, where possible, illustrated practically.

Topics covered:

• Structure of topical “E” standards, important concepts and definitions,
• Interaction of “E” standards with cross - cutting standards ESRS 1 a ESRS 2,
• Mandatory disclosures and disclosures based on double materiality assessment,
• Disclosure requirements:
  • Policies,
  • Activities,
  • Targets,
  • Metrics.

Course details: 

Time: 1 day
Tutor: Jana Sequensová

This course currently runs on demand only.

Contact us for more details

Who is the course suitable for:

The course is suitable for ESG coordinators who are interested in obtaining a deeper understanding of standards in the social pillar. The course will be useful also to those, who participate in the measurement and collection of reported social information.

Recommended combination of courses:

ESG coordinators are recommended to take part in this course after participating in the course Mandatory ESG reporting – EU CSRD & ESRS Standards. Those who participate in measurement and collection of reported social information may take this course as a stand-alone option.

Course description:

We are going to have a deeper look into social standards: S1 – Own Workforce, S2 – Workers in the value chain, S3 – Affected communities, S4 – Consumers and end-users. You will obtain an overview of the common structure of “S” standards, we will introduce key concepts and definitions and discuss the interaction of cross-cutting standards with “S” standards. You will learn about individual disclosure requirements and whether they result from double materiality assessment or whether they are subject to mandatory disclosure regardless of the result of such an assessment. Main provisions of the standards will be, where possible, illustrated practically.

Topics covered:

• Structure of topical “S” standards, important concepts and definitions,
• Interaction of “S” standards with cross - cutting standards ESRS 1 a ESRS 2,
• Mandatory disclosures and disclosures based on double materiality assessment,
• Disclosure requirements:
  • Policies,
  • Activities,
  • Targets,
  • Metrics.

Course details: 

Time: 1 day
Tutor: Radka Nedvědová

This course currently runs on demand only.

Contact us for more details

Who is the course suitable for:

The course is intended for individuals who will coordinate or contribute to the preparation of mandatory or voluntary ESG reporting to meet the requirements of ESG regulations – CSRD, ESRS, VSME, and in the future also CS3D. The course is also recommended for employees from procurement / purchasing and sales departments, as it can help them effectively manage relationships with suppliers and customers towards achieving the company's sustainability goals.

Recommended combination of courses:

ESG coordinators are recommended to take part in this course after participating in the course ESG reporting – preparation in times of change.

Course description:

The course has been designed with the ongoing revision of EU regulatory frameworks in mind. While the final form of the regulation will take shape over the coming months and remains uncertain, several core elements of ESG reporting continue to serve as an effective means of analyzing and managing ESG-related risks. They also help meet the information needs of your organization and those of your business and financial partners, including the capital markets, regardless of how the regulatory landscape ultimately develops. In the context of ESG reporting, the course will focus on two key areas related to the disclosure of sustainability governance.

Firstly, we are going to explore the only topical standard from the governance pillar, standard G1 Business conduct (and its simplified version under the VSME standard for small and medium-sized enterprises). You will obtain an overview of the structure of the standard, the topics it covers, and its interaction with other ESRS standards. Main requirements of the standards will be, where possible, illustrated practically.

The second part of the course will be concentrated on disclosure of information in the value chain. Value chain is a relatively new, complex and cross-cutting topic in the context of corporate reporting and ESRS. Although approached from different perspectives, the value chain – particularly in the context of supply and customer relationships – is also addressed in EFRAG’s non-binding implementation guidance and in the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

While the ESRS standards focus primarily on reporting, the new directive will require companies to take action – avoiding and mitigating negative impacts. In practice, this will mean changes not only in management practices at the executive level and an expansion of the due diligence duties, but also changes in the management of relationships with upstream and downstream value chain partners. The course will introduce main provisions of the CSDDD directive, principles featured in the implementation guidance for the value chain and their link to mandatory provisions of individual ESRS standards.

In connection with the Omnibus amendment package, you will be introduced to the proposed changes to the timeline and scope of obligations related to due diligence in the supply chain.

Topics covered:

• Governance pillar in sustainability reports:
  • Difference in focus: Governance in the mandatory section of the report (ESRS 2 GOV) and the topical standard ESRS G1 (Business Conduct),
  • Structure of G1 standard, important concepts and definitions, relationship with cross-cutting standards ESRS 1 and 2,
  • Mandatory disclosures and disclosures based on double materiality assessment,
  • Simplified VSME requirements for SMEs on the Governance pillar and their importance for meeting the expectations and information needs of business and financial partners,
• Value chain:
  • Definition of value chain, upstream and downstream actors, relationships and dependencies,
  • Requirements for inclusion in the double materiality analysis and disclosure in the sustainability report,
  • EFRAG Implementation guidance IG 2 Value chain,
  • Specifics of value chain in “E” and “S” pillars,
  • Transitional provisions – phasing of disclosures about value chain,
  • Expected changes in the scope of obligations related to the value chain,
• Due diligence:
  • Due diligence based on OECD and UN principles - fundamental principles, recommended steps and practical examples,
  • Practical implications for procurement processes, selection, evaluation, and monitoring of suppliers,
  • Requirements for  information on due diligence in the sustainability report,
  • Directive CSDDD:
    • Applicability: who and when,
    • Obligations resulting from CSDDD,
    • Relationship with sustainability reporting,
    • Expected changes under the Omnibus proposal.

Course details: 

Time: 1 day
Tutor: Radka Nedvědová

Register here

Who is the course suitable for:

We tailored this course to the needs of participants who already have experience with ESG reporting and do not need to start from the basics.

Course description:

You will appreciate this training if you already report on sustainability on a voluntary or mandatory basis, based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI Standards) or another methodology. Although this is a very good ground for fulfilling the future obligations imposed on large EU companies and groups by the CSRD directive, there are some significant differences that will require a robust preparation.

We will take you through the major differences between voluntary (e.g. GRI-based) and mandatory CSRD reporting and explain their practical implications for the report content, process and sustainability governance.

We will focus on the following topics (and more):

• Double materiality assessment – extended by financial perspective of ESG matters,
• Inter-operability, similarities and differences between GRI and ESRS requirements and indicators,
• New mandatory disclosures in ESRS (differences and additions),
• Inclusion of entity-specific (industry) disclosures in the absence of ESRS sector standards,
• Mandatory EU Taxonomy disclosures (new to majority of reporters),
• Requirements for structure and form of the report, integration to annual report,
• Rules for claiming an exemption due to inclusion in consolidated report prepared by parent company,
• Mandatory external assurance.

Course details: 

Time: 3,5 – 4 hours
Tutor: Radka Nedvědová

This course currently runs on demand only.

Contact us for more details