Allianz SE, BASF SE, the German Accounting Standards Committee (DRSC), EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW), Germanwatch e. V., the Institute for Co-Determination and Corporate Governance of the Hans Böckler Foundation (I.M.U.) and the University of Hamburg have presented seven demands aimed at improving the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and supporting the sustainable transformation of companies.

The current political debate on simplifying the ESRS does not reflect the common goals of the stakeholders and companies concerned. The aim of the paper is to make a factual contribution to the debate. The goal is to constructively accompany the revision of the ESRS in order to reinforce positive effects and enable efficient application for companies.

‘Speed must not take precedence over thoroughness.’

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Lopatta, University of Hamburg: "We would like to see the initial users and first-time users of the ESRS more closely involved in the revision process. We have the impression that speed is taking precedence over thoroughness, which encourages technical errors. Revised ESRS must remain in place across legislative periods, thus providing legal and planning certainty for users and consumers.‘

’The ESRS should help to ensure that sustainability information is consistent and creates added value in corporate management. It should not be forgotten that companies in Europe are competing internationally and that reporting requirements must be compatible across Europe's borders. We do not believe that either of these points is being given sufficient consideration in the current debate," adds Georg Lanfermann, President of the German Accounting Standards Committee (Deutscher Rechnungslegungs Standards Committee e. V.). Sustainability reporting remains central to the resilience, competitiveness and sustainable transformation of companies in the EU. Efficient, globally compatible standards create planning security, strengthen corporate governance and promote capital allocation. Simplified ESRS increase flexibility, while the focus on essential information improves meaningfulness and comparability. Targeted standards support companies of all sizes in managing risks and opportunities and help users interpret sustainability reports.

In addition to the authors, the signatories of the position paper include the German Stock Institute (DAI), econsense – Forum for Sustainable Development of the German Economy, E.ON SE, freenet DLS GmbH, the Institute of Public Auditors in Germany (IDW), Management Alliance GmbH, the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE), UN Global Compact Network Germany, and Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg.

The position paper is available for download in German and English:

Theses on the Future of Sustainability (de) | SFRG

Position Paper Future Sustainability(en) | SFRG

Allianz SE, BASF SE, the German Accounting Standards Committee (DRSC), EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW), Germanwatch e. V., the Institute for Co-Determination and Corporate Governance of the Hans Böckler Foundation (I.M.U.) and the University of Hamburg have presented seven demands aimed at improving the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and supporting the sustainable transformation of companies.

The current political debate on simplifying the ESRS does not reflect the common goals of the stakeholders and companies concerned. The aim of the paper is to make a factual contribution to the debate. The goal is to constructively accompany the revision of the ESRS in order to reinforce positive effects and enable efficient application for companies.

‘Speed must not take precedence over thoroughness.’

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Lopatta, University of Hamburg: "We would like to see the initial users and first-time users of the ESRS more closely involved in the revision process. We have the impression that speed is taking precedence over thoroughness, which encourages technical errors. Revised ESRS must remain in place across legislative periods, thus providing legal and planning certainty for users and consumers.‘

’The ESRS should help to ensure that sustainability information is consistent and creates added value in corporate management. It should not be forgotten that companies in Europe are competing internationally and that reporting requirements must be compatible across Europe's borders. We do not believe that either of these points is being given sufficient consideration in the current debate," adds Georg Lanfermann, President of the German Accounting Standards Committee (Deutscher Rechnungslegungs Standards Committee e. V.). Sustainability reporting remains central to the resilience, competitiveness and sustainable transformation of companies in the EU. Efficient, globally compatible standards create planning security, strengthen corporate governance and promote capital allocation. Simplified ESRS increase flexibility, while the focus on essential information improves meaningfulness and comparability. Targeted standards support companies of all sizes in managing risks and opportunities and help users interpret sustainability reports.

In addition to the authors, the signatories of the position paper include the German Stock Institute (DAI), econsense – Forum for Sustainable Development of the German Economy, E.ON SE, freenet DLS GmbH, the Institute of Public Auditors in Germany (IDW), Management Alliance GmbH, the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE), UN Global Compact Network Germany, and Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg.

The position paper is available for download in German and English:

Theses on the Future of Sustainability (de) | SFRG

Position Paper Future Sustainability(en) | SFRG

Allianz SE, BASF SE, the German Accounting Standards Committee (DRSC), EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW), Germanwatch e. V., the Institute for Co-Determination and Corporate Governance of the Hans Böckler Foundation (I.M.U.) and the University of Hamburg have presented seven demands aimed at improving the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and supporting the sustainable transformation of companies.

The current political debate on simplifying the ESRS does not reflect the common goals of the stakeholders and companies concerned. The aim of the paper is to make a factual contribution to the debate. The goal is to constructively accompany the revision of the ESRS in order to reinforce positive effects and enable efficient application for companies.

‘Speed must not take precedence over thoroughness.’

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Lopatta, University of Hamburg: "We would like to see the initial users and first-time users of the ESRS more closely involved in the revision process. We have the impression that speed is taking precedence over thoroughness, which encourages technical errors. Revised ESRS must remain in place across legislative periods, thus providing legal and planning certainty for users and consumers.‘

’The ESRS should help to ensure that sustainability information is consistent and creates added value in corporate management. It should not be forgotten that companies in Europe are competing internationally and that reporting requirements must be compatible across Europe's borders. We do not believe that either of these points is being given sufficient consideration in the current debate," adds Georg Lanfermann, President of the German Accounting Standards Committee (Deutscher Rechnungslegungs Standards Committee e. V.). Sustainability reporting remains central to the resilience, competitiveness and sustainable transformation of companies in the EU. Efficient, globally compatible standards create planning security, strengthen corporate governance and promote capital allocation. Simplified ESRS increase flexibility, while the focus on essential information improves meaningfulness and comparability. Targeted standards support companies of all sizes in managing risks and opportunities and help users interpret sustainability reports.

In addition to the authors, the signatories of the position paper include the German Stock Institute (DAI), econsense – Forum for Sustainable Development of the German Economy, E.ON SE, freenet DLS GmbH, the Institute of Public Auditors in Germany (IDW), Management Alliance GmbH, the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE), UN Global Compact Network Germany, and Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg.

The position paper is available for download in German and English:

Theses on the Future of Sustainability (de) | SFRG

Position Paper Future Sustainability(en) | SFRG