Investor support within the ESG sector

Sustainability is gaining importance across all economic sectors, not only from an environmental perspective but also from social and economic angles. Companies are now facing new challenges driven by climate change, evolving regulations, and increasing demands for responsible business conduct. Companies across various sectors are under pressure from investors, business partners, and regulators to improve their ESG standards and integrate these principles into their operations. ESG is becoming a key benchmark for evaluating businesses and their sustainable performance.

Non-Financial Reporting

Sustainability reporting under European rules like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) matters even with deadline delays from the EU Omnibus package. Companies can also report voluntarily using simpler VSME standards. Starting early helps set up ESG data, find gaps, and build trust. Reporting is not just compliance, but clear sustainability communication that strengthens market credibility.

Energy Management

Energy consumption represents a significant portion of operating costs for businesses, making it essential to optimize its use. Improving energy efficiency is not only a way to reduce expenses but also a crucial step in minimizing the environmental impact of business operations across all industries. Modern technologies and practices enable companies to transition to more sustainable energy sources and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. This shift ultimately enhances their market competitiveness while contributing to long-term sustainability goals.

Assessment of Activities According to the EU Taxonomy

The European Union introduced the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities as a framework for classifying economic activities that contribute to environmental goals. For companies, it is beneficial to determine whether and to what extent their activities meet the EU Taxonomy criteria, as this can influence their access to financing and investments. Moreover, it can be part of nonfinancial reporting under the CSRD directive. Banks, investors, and business partners are increasingly demanding that companies provide evidence of compliance with the EU Taxonomy, demonstrating that their activities are sustainable.

Carbon Footprint Calculation

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the modern world. For companies, it is essential to understand their carbon footprint and identify ways to reduce it. Calculating the carbon footprint provides critical insights into a company's environmental impact and serves as the first step toward implementing sustainable practices. The carbon footprint calculation involves a comprehensive analysis of the entire production process, from raw materials and energy consumption to transportation and distribution. The results highlight the largest sources of emissions and reveal areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing both environmental performance and economic efficiency.

January 2017
NFRD
  • Obligation to disclose company behavior in environmental, social, and governance area
January 2022
Article n. 8
  • Companies subject to NFRD must also report:
  • The share of their revenues generated from activities in line with EU Taxonomy
  • The share of their CAPEX and OPEX linkedto activities in line with EU Taxonomy
January 2024
CSRD
  • Obligation for companies to report sustainability (ESG) data
  • Replaces NFRD
  • Reporting obligation starts from 2024 (NFRD), 2025 for large companies (must meet at least 2 out of 3 criteria: more than 250 employees, €50 mln in revenues, or €25 mln in total assets) and 2026 for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
February 2025
  • European Comission publishes Omnibus I to simplify Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
  • Narrows mandatory scope via higher size thresholds fewer firms must report.
  • Postpones key deadlines and cuts required disclosures lighter admin burden, more prep time.

Štěpán Černohorský
Executive Director
ČSOB Advisory
cernohorsky@csobadvisory.cz
www.csobadvisory.cz