Sustainability report

A sustainability report is a document that companies use to communicate their commitment to sustainable development and to disclose their environmental, social and economic impact. It is a key instrument for transparency and accountability towards stakeholders, from investors and partners to employees, customers and society at large.

What is a sustainability report?

A sustainability report compiles and presents data on a company's environmental, social and economic performance. Its aim is to give a comprehensive view of the organisation's sustainability actions, usually aligned with international standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and, in the European Union, with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

Reporting has become common practice for companies committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On the environmental side, a report typically covers carbon footprint measurement, decarbonisation strategies and, where relevant, offset projects.

Why a sustainability report matters

Producing a report is more than a legal obligation or a marketing exercise: it is a core tool for responsible management.

1. Transparency and trust

As stakeholders demand more transparency, a well-prepared report strengthens trust by showing concrete actions to reduce environmental impact and contribute to social well-being. Done credibly, it also helps a company avoid greenwashing.

2. Measuring and improving performance

Reporting forces companies to collect and analyse data on their performance, which helps identify areas for improvement, set clear targets and track progress over time.

3. Regulatory compliance

Sustainability rules are evolving quickly. In the European Union, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is now the central reporting regime, replacing the earlier Non-Financial Reporting Directive and requiring detailed disclosure through the ESRS. In Spain, Law 11/2018 on non-financial information and diversity (which transposed the previous directive) remains in force pending the full transposition of the CSRD into national law.

Key components of a sustainability report

An effective report usually includes:

1. Company information

An overview of the organisation: mission, vision and values, corporate structure, main products and services, and geographic footprint.

2. Environmental impact

One of the most important sections, covering carbon footprint measurement across Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 following the GHG Protocol, natural resource use (water, energy) and waste management.

3. Social impact

Diversity and inclusion policies, labour conditions and employee well-being, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

4. Economic impact

Financial performance, investment in sustainable projects, and the link between sustainability and profitability.

How to prepare a sustainability report

A structured approach keeps the process manageable:

1. Define objectives

Clarify the purpose: regulatory compliance, improving brand perception, or meeting stakeholder expectations.

2. Collect data

Data collection is one of the most demanding phases. Companies must gather reliable information on environmental, social and economic performance. Platforms like Manglai automate much of the analysis and offer tailored recommendations to streamline this step.

3. Analyse and structure

Turn the data into insight: identify trends, compare results year on year and define key performance indicators (KPIs).

4. Draft and design

Keep the report clear and accessible, avoiding excessive jargon, and use graphs and tables to aid readability.

5. Publish and communicate

Share the report with stakeholders to maximise its impact.

Standards and regulations for sustainability reporting

Several frameworks guide reporting:

1. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

One of the most widely used global standards, focused on impact reporting.

2. ESRS and IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards

The ESRS underpin CSRD reporting in the EU, while the ISSB standards (IFRS S1 and S2) provide an investor-focused global baseline.

3. GHG Protocol

The most recognised standard for carbon footprint measurement across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

Prepare your sustainability report with Manglai

A sustainability report lets companies measure and communicate their impact, meet tightening regulation and drive continuous improvement. At Manglai we help companies measure their carbon footprint and prepare sustainability reporting aligned with global standards and the CSRD. Discover how Manglai can help you.