ESG reporting frameworks

Metric coverage
ESG
frameworks Level of coverage:
Complete Some None

matrix
Environmental* Social Governance Carbon Energy Waste Water

For simplicity, we use the word CDP

framework to include reporting
standards, tools, guidance, CSA

and voluntary or legal reporting

ENERGY STAR
obligations.
GRESB
Disclaimer: The following analysis
and categorization of different GRI
ESG frameworks is based on IBM’s
experience and does not constitute IIRC
official ESG guidance.
NABERS AU

NGER

SASB

SBTi

SECR

SFDR

TCFD

UN SDGs

CSRD

BRSR

*Environmental includes all elements that are not carbon, energy, waste or water.
Examples include a focus on biodiversity, air quality, desertification and more.

Information current as of July 2023 2

ESG reporting frameworks
Detailed metric coverage* Level of coverage:
Complete Some None

Environmental Social Governance Carbon Energy Waste Water

CDP
Framework: The Carbon Disclosure Project reports Forest-related risk
focus on climate change, forests and water security. assessments in FW-FS
Companies are scored annually from A to D—on their (in CDP Forests). Forest
sustainability progress. The A-List is the set of each framework has a specific
year’s top performers. focus on 7 key
commodities: palm oil,
timber, cattle, soy, rubber,
cocoa and coffee.
Complete Risk types considered
in climate change risk
assessment in C2.
The focus of CDP is Operational spend on Scope 3: waste CDP’s water questionnaire
the climate change. energy as a percentage generated in operations incorporates water
C6 focuses on Scope 1, of total operational accounting metrics,
2 and 3 emissions. spend in C8. value chain engagement
activities, governance,
business strategy,
and impacts.

ENERGY STAR
This certification aims to assess the energy efficiency None None None Carbon is calculated ENERGY STAR promotes ENERGY STAR ENERGY STAR
of real estate. It is run by the US EPA. from energy use. energy efficiency. Portfolio Manager Portfolio Manager
helps track waste. helps track water.

GRESB
Framework: GRESB allows assessment of a real estate portfolio Although risk Surveys include Issues such as tenant Performance: GHG Performance: Energy Performance: Waste Performance: Water
for investors. GRESB 2023 Real Estate Reference Guide. assessments (including stakeholder engagement. engagement are covered
climate), policies, and GRESB encourages but not at the forefront of
In 2015, GRESB expanded to include roads, railways, due diligence procedures dialogue between the assessment. GRESB
electricity distribution, and communication systems, after can cover issues such companies, asset also covers leadership
which it now uses GRESB as its formal name and no longer as biodiversity and managers, and investors. and strategy, policies,
just as an acronym for its original name, ‘Global Real Estate pollution, they are It also offers a survey risk management and
Sustainability Benchmark.’ not explored beyond. covering how well stakeholder engagement.
employers treat and
train employees and
DEI performance.

GRI
Framework: The Global Reporting Initiative has 10 mandatory GRI 300 covers the The set of disclosures – GRI 103 Management GRI 305 covers GRI 302 covers GRI 306 covers GRI 303 covers
sets of disclosure, in GRI 100 and GRI 200. There are then 29 environment, with within GRI 400 covers Approach emissions. energy use. effluents and waste. water and effluents.
optional sets of disclosures, dependent on the materiality of the 302 and 305 covering social issues. Specifically: – The set of disclosures
reporting entity. GRI also has sector-specific standards ranging energy and carbon, – GRI 401: Employment within GRI 200 covers
from energy to agriculture, mining, utilities, construction, respectively. GRI 307 – GRI 403: Health the market and
automotive, electronics, real estate, and more. covers environmental and safety approach to ESG
compliance. – GRI 408: Child labor and other issues.
– GRI 409: Forced labor – The set of disclosures
– GRI 413: Local within GRI 400
communities also covers some
– GRI 414: Supplier governance issues.
assessment

Information current as of July 2023 3

 Level of coverage:
Complete Some None

Environmental Social Governance Carbon Energy Waste Water

IIRC
International Integrated Reporting Council aims to reshape how Consideration of Consideration of social Section B: Governance 4F Performance: KPIs, Consideration of Consideration of Consideration
companies view value in the context of reporting. The IIRC was natural capital. and relationship capital. potentially including energy efficiency manufactured capital of natural capital.
first consolidated into the Value Reporting Foundation with carbon. when considering processes.
SASB and will be replaced subsequently by the IFRS’s ISSB 3B-Connectivity.
once it enters full force in 2023.

NABERS
The National Australian Built Environment Rating System aims None None None Carbon is converted NABERS Energy NABERS Waste tool NABERS Water rating
to assess the environmental performance of Australian real from energy usage. measures efficiency measures how well a looks at the amount of
estate. NABERS focuses on offices and data centers. of an office building. building manages waste water used and recycled
Offices: Accredited generation, recycling and within a building.
assessors collect building resource recovery.
consumption data, such
as electricity and gas
bills, along with data
about building size, hours
of occupation, climate
location, and occupation
density. Data is then
standardized via a rating
calculator and scored
from 1–6 stars.

Data Centers: Predicts

the industry median GHG
emissions (3 stars) for
a data center of a given
size and assigns stars
based on the number of
emissions greater than
or less than that median.

NGER
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting is an Australian None None None Scope 1 emissions Report on energy from Only mandatory in the None
regulatory standard for reporting and disseminating energy the production and event you operate a waste
and carbon data. consumption of energy management facility
commodities.

Information current as of July 2023 4

 Level of coverage:
Complete Some None

Environmental Social Governance Carbon Energy Waste Water

SASB
Framework: The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board 120a.1 Air emissions
has separate reporting requirements for 77 different sectors. of pollutants such as
A good summary resource is the materiality map. particulate matter of
10 microns or less
SASB will remain active for another few years, and then it will (PM10), manganese
be consolidated into the IFRS Foundation’s ISSB Standards, oxide (MnO), polycyclic
along with the IIRC/Value Reporting Foundation (VRF). aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs) and more.
220a.5 Disclosure is 510a.2 The entity should – 410b.1 Net premiums – 130a.4 Percentage 150a.1 Amount of 130a.1 Total water
encouraged where describe its policies for insurance of eligible real estate hazardous waste withdrawn and
products or services are around whistleblowers. companies relating to portfolio that has an produced consumed, and the
subject to government- energy efficiency and energy rating percentage of each in
required monitoring, low carbon technology – 130a.1 Total energy regions with high and
censoring, content – 110a.1 Global Scope 1 consumed extremely high baseline
filtering or blocking. emissions water stress

CSA
The SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (for Dow Jones Physical climate risk The presence of a human Board average tenure Scope 1 and scope 2 Energy consumption, Waste disposal Water consumption
Sustainability Indices) is the assessment that companies fill adaptation is considered. rights due diligence is considered emissions are considered. broken down into types (including generation, (both withdrawal and
out to help inform their performance on DJSI. The following process is considered. (nonrenewable fuels, used, recycled and sold) discharge by type)
indicators have been taken from the CSA Companion 2021. electricity purchased, is considered. is considered.
and more) is considered.
Depending on the sector of the respondent, it is possible
that not all the questions would be in the CSA.

SBTi
The Science-Based Targets initiative aims to help companies SBTi identifies best None SBTi calls for effective SBTi’s focus is goal- Net zero Scope 2 Some Some
set science-based emissions reduction targets and targets practices such as Scope governance, including setting in line with Paris emissions involve
aligned with the Paris Agreement. It is used by over 4,000 1-3 transition plans. executive compensation Agreement, but the focusing on energy use.
companies, but doesn’t currently assess targets for cities, linked to adopted initiative now also
governments and universities. SBTi has sector-specific short and long-term offers goal-setting
templates and targets as well. milestones. in line with the fully
net-zero operation.

SECR
The UK government’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon None None None Emissions from activities The energy None None
Reporting regulations oblige certain companies to track the company owns or consumption used
their energy use and carbon emissions. controls. It includes the to calculate emissions
combustion of fuel and
operation of facilities
(Scope 1) / tCO2e.

SFDR
Framework: The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation Reporting on whether Disclosure of Reporting on the Reporting carbon Reporting on energy Reporting hazardous Reporting water
is an EU requirement mandating that financial institutions the entity assesses, the production unadjusted gender emissions by the scope consumption, broken waste in tons emissions (of certain
assess the ESG credentials of their investment portfolio. monitors or controls the of controversial pay gap is mandatory. is mandatory down into renewable and is mandatory chemical pollutants)
Thus, the indicators will be answered by investees, as pressures corresponding weapons is mandatory. nonrenewable sources, is mandatory.
opposed to the reporting institution itself. to the indirect and direct is mandatory.
drivers of biodiversity
Though some indicators, such as those detailed here, are
and ecosystem change
mandatory, financial institutions will have to choose from
is mandatory.
a varied selection of optional indicators.

Information current as of July 2023 5

 Level of coverage:
Complete Some None

Environmental Social Governance Carbon Energy Waste Water

TCFD
Framework: The Task Force on Climate-related Financial In theory, environmental Some reporting as the Pillar 1 focuses on The disclosure of Scope 1 Analysis of risks and Analysis of risks and Analysis of risks and
Disclosures is a risk framework, and although it encourages indicators beyond carbon, TCFD refers to resilience governance, including and Scope 2 emissions opportunities, informed opportunities, informed opportunities, informed
the use of metrics, it mandates very few. Specific encouraged energy, waste and water based on different board oversight of risks (Scope 3 if appropriate) by metrics around energy by metrics around waste, by metrics around water
but not required recommendations are highlighted in the could certainly be used scenarios. and opportunities, as well is encouraged. use, is encouraged. is encouraged. use, is encouraged.
framework documentation. TCFD is now mandatory in several in a climate change risk as management’s role in
countries, including the UK, Singapore, Canada, Japan and assessment. However, risk assessment.
South Africa, with Australia and New Zealand following. Also, they are not specifically
mandatory for UN PRI signatories. recommended.

UN SDGs
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals aims SDG 15: Life on Land SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 – SDG 9: Industry, SDG 7: Affordable SDG 7: Affordable SDG 12: Responsible – SDG 6: Clean Water
to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable Innovation and and Clean Energy and Clean Energy Consumption and Sanitation
future by 2030. Infrastructure – SDG 14: Life
– SDG 8: Decent Work Below Water
and Economic Growth

CSRD
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires E1 Climate change,
organizations to detail how their business strategy will E2 Pollution, E3 Water
mitigate risks associated with environmental and social and marine resources,
issues and publish disclosures publicly. Organizations E4 Biodiversity and
subject to the CSRD will have to report according ecosystems, E5
to European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Resource use and
circular economy.
It includes Scope 1 and
2 emissions (Scope 3
expected to be added in
the future), climate risks,
and impacts.
S1 Own workforce, S2
Workers in the value
chain, S3 Affected
communities, S4
Consumers and end
users.
It includes human rights,
employee diversity, and
working conditions and
EHS compliance.
G1 Risk management ESRS E1 Climate E2 Pollution, E5 Resource use and E3 Water and
and internal control, change, E2 Pollution, E5 Resource use and circular economy. marine resources.
G2 Business conduct. E4 Biodiversity and circular economy.
ecosystems.
It includes board
diversity, ethics and
corruption levels,
stakeholder engagement.

BRSR
Framework: It requires general disclosures like operational Section C Principle 6 Section A requires Section B requires Section C Principle 6 Section C Principle 6 Section C Principle 2 Section C Principle 6
and employee details, governance disclosures, and performance requires disclosures disclosure of customer disclosure governance, focuses on Scope 1, 2 focuses on energy requires disclosures requires disclosures
disclosures against the nine principles of India’s National on efforts to protect and employee diversity, leadership and oversight, and 3 emissions. consumption and on waste management of water withdrawal,
Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC). and restore the safety, and retention, as well as policies in intensity. and product lifecycle consumption and
environment. grievance redressal place to adopt the NGRBC assessment (LCA). discharge.
mechanisms, and Principles.
stakeholder engagement.

* Examples provided are related to the coverage of the ESG subject for each framework.
This is not a comprehensive list and only provides coverage examples.

Information current as of July 2023 6

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