Excel and emails – so more than half of Polish companies collect ESG data

pracodawcagodnyzaufania.pl 3 months ago

More than half of the companies in Poland have inactive not specified what indicators they will gotta study under the ESG.

Companies are besides not technically prepared. 1 in 5 collects ESG data by email and all 3rd in Excel files. What is worrying is that 30% of companies are incapable to identify the tools they usage to collect ESG data – according to the Webcon report, which deals with e-objectives. Experts indicate that without appropriate preparation and planning of processes many companies will have major problems with reliable reporting of sustainable development.

In April, the European Commission amended earlier CSRD and CSDDD directives

The EU has narrowed down the number of companies that will include the work to study to the ESC and has postponed the date of entry into force of the fresh regulations. According to the latest findings, the EGS requirements will apply only to large enterprises employing more than 1000 people (over 50 million euro or over 25 million euro balance sheet total). According to experts, the change gives companies more time to prepare. However, this does not mean that entrepreneurs can put the subject of the ESG “on the shelf”.

Banks, issuers or insurance companies are already required to study on environmental impacts, society and corporate governance (ESG). In April, the European Commission amended the earlier CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and the CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) directives by 2 years the deadlines for mandatory reporting of the ESG for large companies that have not yet started implementing the CSRD and for listed SMEs.

The challenge for companies is to guarantee that information is accurate.

The Webcon study indicates that this additional time is very essential for entities operating in Poland. The survey showed that the level of readiness of companies operating in Poland to meet the requirements of yearly reporting of the ESG is inactive low.

– Especially in large companies, which will include the work as the first, the amount and scale of the distribution of data are huge. The challenge for companies is, among others, to guarantee the accuracy of information and to integrate data from different sources – many companies are inactive based on Excel sheets or email messages in the context of information collection and analysis. There is besides a deficiency of consistency in the allocation of responsibilities related to the reporting of the ESG to circumstantial departments and specialists," emphasised Anna Puka, manager of the Pre-sales Consulting department in WEBCON.

Improvisation or plan? How Companies (No) Deal With ESG

The survey indicated that most companies do not plan to make a separate department to carry out tasks related to the reporting of the ESG. Only 21% of the companies surveyed. In 36% of companies, data collection will be transferred to the wellness and safety department and/or environmental protection. Others carry out their work with the aid of administrative departments (12%) or marketing and PR (6%). 15% of companies plan to trust on the expertise of representatives of respective different areas.

Even 1/3 of the companies surveyed by Webcon usage tools specified as Excel to gather the information they need. In addition, 22% declare that they collect the data needed to prepare the ESG study by email. 12% usage paper management solutions specified as SharePoint or Google Drive. What is worrying is that 30% of respondents are incapable to identify the tools for collecting ESG data in their companies. It is simply a signal that many companies – without appropriate preparation and planning of processes – will have major problems with the improvement of reliable ESG reports.

Most companies will trust on existing branches alternatively of creating peculiar teams or positions

– The results of the survey propose that most companies will trust on existing departments alternatively of creating peculiar teams or positions. While specified an approach is justified in terms of cost optimisation, it may lead to increased burden on workers and possible difficulties in ensuring data reliability and reporting. The advanced level of data distribution in files, emails and disks makes it more hard to verify sources of information and prolongs the time needed to complete them. A strategy that will support the reporting of ESG should operate in the background of company processes, downloading data from interior business systems and applications. At the same time, it must enable the engagement of external stakeholders already at the phase of the environmental impact analysis of the organisation, says expert Webcon.