9 key ESG reporting frameworks in 2025

9 minutes03/04/2025

The landscape of ESG reporting is undeniably complex. Ernst & Young estimates that more than 600 ESG frameworks and standards exist worldwide, with some tailored to specific industries or regions, while others remain broad yet lack widespread adoption.

Over the past year, governments in the U.S., Canada, and the EU have taken steps toward implementing ESG-related regulations. While ESG reporting has traditionally been voluntary, these legislative developments mean certain industries will now be required to comply, while others may choose to do so to align with investor and customer expectations.

In this fast-evolving environment, navigating ESG reporting obligations can be challenging. However, with the right support, organizations can streamline the process of developing and managing their ESG programs—ensuring their strategies remain effective both now and in the future.

What are ESG frameworks? 

A crucial aspect of ESG reporting is ensuring that the data provided is meaningful and comparable across companies within an industry or investment portfolio. Achieving true comparability requires a shared foundation—in this case, a common ESG reporting framework.

Frameworks standardize reporting, creating consistency and transparency. Without them, companies can selectively highlight metrics that present them in the best light, making it difficult for investors to distinguish between organizations genuinely progressing toward sustainability goals and those merely appearing to do so.

However, the terms ESG reporting standards and ESG reporting frameworks are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion. While this may not be an issue in voluntary reporting, it becomes critical when compliance is required. Understanding which ESG reporting frameworks are recognized and applicable to your organization is essential for meeting regulatory obligations and maintaining credibility.

What are the different ESG reporting frameworks? 

With numerous ESG reporting frameworks available, understanding their differences is essential for businesses looking to align with industry standards and regulatory requirements. Each framework serves a unique purpose, whether guiding sustainability disclosures, standardizing metrics, or ensuring compliance.

Here’s an overview of key ESG reporting frameworks to help you understand their structure and industry relevance. Before developing your ESG program, ensure you’re using the most up-to-date frameworks applicable to your business. Consider how to align your data collection strategy with framework requirements to streamline reporting and ensure compliance.

1. CDP

The CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) is a global non-profit organization that runs a widely used environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions. It provides a framework for organizations to measure, manage, and report their environmental impacts, particularly in areas such as climate change, water security, and deforestation.

CDP collects environmental data through standardized questionnaires and scores participants based on their transparency and performance. Investors, stakeholders, and regulators use CDP disclosures to assess environmental risks and sustainability efforts. Many companies report through CDP to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, align with ESG expectations, and comply with evolving regulatory requirements.

CDP also provides annual sustainability scoring, based on the depth of company reporting and their level of action year-over-year. Investors will refer to CDP’s annual A-List to help set investment priorities and identify sustainable partners.

2. Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) represents the next phase of ESG reporting for businesses in the EU. Larger organizations already familiar with the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) will see it phased out in favor of the CSRD, which introduces more comprehensive and standardized reporting requirements. 

While the CSRD establishes the regulatory framework, companies must adhere to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) for their specific disclosures. These standards cover four key areas: 

• General disclosures
• Environmental disclosures
• Governance disclosures
• Sustainability disclosures

Although each standard has its own set of detailed requirements, they should be viewed as part of a broader, integrated reporting program that provides a holistic view of a company’s ESG performance. 

On February 25, 2025, the European Commission adopted a new package of proposals known as the Omnibus Simplification Package, to simplify EU rules including the CSRD. Those changes will result in removing around 80% of companies from the scope of CSRD, focusing the sustainability reporting obligations on the largest companies which are more likely to have the biggest impacts on people and the environment. 

3. Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) 

The Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) is a mandatory ESG reporting framework introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for listed companies in India. The top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalization must file a BRSR-compliant report. It replaces the previous Business Responsibility Report (BRR) and aims to enhance transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability practices. 

The BRSR aligns with global ESG reporting frameworks and requires companies to disclose their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance across various metrics. It is structured around nine principles of the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC) and covers aspects such as: 

• Environmental impact (energy consumption, emissions, waste management) 
• Social factors (employee well-being, diversity, human rights) 
• Governance practices (business ethics, risk management, regulatory compliance) 

SEBI has a published guidance document that details everything required to be included in your report. Broadly, these include:  

1. General Disclosures  
2. Management & Process Disclosures  
3. Principle Wise Performance Disclosure  

4. Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) 

GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) is a leading ESG benchmarking and reporting framework specifically designed for the real estate and infrastructure sectors. It provides standardized assessments to measure and compare the sustainability performance of property companies, real estate investment trusts (REITs), infrastructure funds, and asset managers.

Investors, asset managers, and industry stakeholders use GRESB scores to assess the sustainability performance of their portfolios, mitigate risks, and align with global ESG expectations. Many real estate and infrastructure firms participate in GRESB to attract responsible investment, enhance operational efficiencies, and stay ahead of regulatory changes.

Much of GRESB’s data is focused on the real estate sector with annual benchmarks reported in:

• Real Estate  
• Real Estate Development  
• Infrastructure Funds  
• Infrastructure Assets  

5. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework is probably the most well-known of the ESG reporting standards with approximately 73% of the world’s 250 largest companies following GRI for their ESG reporting.  

The GRI standard includes three sets of standards within itself. These are:  

• Universal – A set of three standards that apply to every reporting organization. The universal standards cover the basics of the company’s operational activities.  
• Topic-specific –  These are divided into three series based on material topics – 200 (Economic topics), 300 (Environmental topics), and 400 (Social topics).  
• Sector Standards – Four priority groups that make up a sector’s most significant impact areas: Priority Group 1 (basic materials and needs), Priority Group 2 (industrial), Priority Group 3 (transport, infrastructure, and tourism), and Priority Group 4 (other services and light manufacturing).  

6. International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) 

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) is an independent body established by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation to develop a global baseline for sustainability-related financial disclosures. The ISSB’s goal is to create standardized ESG reporting standards that enhance transparency, comparability, and consistency across industries and countries. 

In June 2023, the ISSB published its global sustainability and climate disclosure standards. These finalized standards include the IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and the IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures. To learn more about the ISSB and its new reporting standards check out our comprehensive blog here.  

7. Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) 

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) is a framework that provides industry-specific standards for companies to disclose financially material ESG information to investors. SASB helps businesses identify and report on sustainability issues that are most likely to impact their financial performance. As of June 2022, the SASB standards are now part of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) framework, specifically contributing to IFRS S1 for general sustainability-related disclosures. 

The SASB Standards are a practical tool for implementing principles-based frameworks, including those provided by the TCFD and IIRC. Many companies use both SASB and GRI Standards to meet the needs of various audiences. SASB offers a set of industry-specific standards covering 77 industries across 11 categories.  

8. Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) 

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) framework is a global standard that helps companies set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets in line with climate science and the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C or well below 2°C.

Companies adopt SBTi to: 

• Demonstrate climate leadership and credibility in sustainability commitments. 
• Meet investor and stakeholder expectations for transparent, science-based climate action. 
• Align with regulatory and financial disclosure frameworks, such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). 

SBTi is widely recognized as a gold standard for corporate climate target-setting, helping businesses transition toward a low-carbon economy. 

9. Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) is a globally recognized framework that provides guidance for companies on disclosing climate-related financial risks and opportunities. It was created by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to help investors, lenders, and stakeholders understand how climate change impacts financial performance. 

The TCFD offers disclosure recommendations around four key areas including governance, strategy, risk management and metrics and targets. It also provides best practices for reporting.  

Together, this helps companies communicate how climate-related issues are impacting – and will impact – their financial performance. It also helps investors identify climate-related risks and make better-informed investment decisions.  

In July 2023, following the publishing of the ISSB Standards, which are consistent with the four core recommendations and eleven recommended disclosures published by the TCFD, the Financial Stability Board announced that the TCFD had completed its work and the IFRS Foundation would take over the monitoring of the progress on companies’ climate related disclosures from the TCFD. Although the work of the TCFD is completed, the TCFD recommendations remain available for companies to use should they choose to.

How to Get Started with Reporting Frameworks

The ideal time to begin implementing an ESG reporting program is now—while many industry requirements remain voluntary. Starting early allows you to carefully gather the necessary data, quantify findings, and report ESG performance in a way that is meaningful, verifiable, and valuable to corporate leadership, shareholders, investors, and the community. 

However, keeping up with the evolving ESG framework landscape can be overwhelming. Understanding which frameworks apply to your industry, adapting to consolidations, and effectively using methodologies to track progress requires significant time and effort. 

AMCS simplifies the process by streamlining data collection and leveraging verified methodologies to quantify emissions. With multiple reporting frameworks integrated into the AMCS ESG Solution (formerly Quentic), you can efficiently manage your data while the platform ensures compliance with evolving standards, keeping your methodologies up to date. 

By partnering with AMCS, you’ll set up your ESG data correctly from the start, making reporting seamless and enabling real-time tracking of your progress toward sustainability goals. 

Ready to take control of your ESG reporting? Speak with one of our experts today to learn how the AMCS ESG Solution can support your needs.