ESG Reporting Basics: CSRD, GRI and ISSB

Name: ESG Reporting Basics: CSRD, GRI and ISSB
Rating: 3.0 (4 reviews)

Introduction to ESG Reporting: Sustainability Disclosure, CSRD, GRI & ISSB Explained

Created byDr Stefan Vieweg

Last updated 5/2026

English

What you'll learn

Motivation for ESG reporting: which gives you the arguments, e.g., to “sell” your ESG endeavor to stakeholders and secure their support.
The current state of climate change: This is not only the most obvious dimension of ESG, but it imposes the highest risks and causes many social issues.
Standards and reporting approaches: We set the foundation to gather data and address how to apply them to ESG reporting.
Common elements and cornerstones in ESG reporting for good reasons
Tools and data sources: Into some handy helpers for our ESG-reporting that can save you a fortune in your ESG-endeavor.
How to set up your ESG-reporting: We will go into pragmatic approaches to get started with ESG-reporting.

Course content

1 section • 6 lectures • 2h 33m total length

Introduction to ESG Reporting21:45
Students will learn about why ESG reporting: climate change, business requirements to ensure access to capital, reputation, etc
Objectives:
Understand the drivers for taking sustainability seriously, even without the regulatory requirements.
Introduction to ESG Reporting
Climate Change19:27
Provide a brief historical overview of climate change initiatives to illustrate that this is by no means a short-term trend that can quickly go out of fashion again.
Climate Change
Standards and Reporting Approaches29:20
In this course, you will be able to learn reporting approaches and commonly used standards, as well as differentiate various (voluntary) reporting standards such as ISO, GRI, and their context.
Standards and Reporting Approaches
Common Elements and Cornerstones in ESG Reporting33:23
The difference between sustainability reports and sustainability ratings. Understand the significance of materiality analysis. Reflect on how to set up a proper process in sustainability objective setting, strategy definition, and stakeholder involvement. Understand the common elements in GHG scoping. Consider key aspects in measuring sustainability performance and its disclosure.
Common Elements and Cornerstones in ESG Reporting
Data Sources and tools for ESG Reporting28:16
Understand the requirement of utilizing publicly available data sets as input for the sustainability report. Recognize different sources available. Reflect on the pros and cons of utilizing commercial software products to generate a sustainability report. Identify the need for your organization
Data Sources and tools for ESG Reporting
How to Set up your ESG Reporting21:30
In this unit, you will learn about how to set up ESG reporting. Position ESG-reporting within the organization’s management approach, understand the preparation work required, aligning your ESG activities to allow for efficient data management, and know where to get help – just in case.
How to Set up your ESG Reporting

Requirements

Typically, participants of this course are managers and decision-makers who have responsibilities to set up and run sustainability reports.
Accountants, auditors, and advisors who want to get their heads around ESG. Participation in the course is possible regardless of previous knowledge.

Description

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting is becoming a critical business requirement for organizations worldwide. Regulators, investors, customers, and employees increasingly expect transparent sustainability disclosures aligned with global standards such as CSRD, ISSB, GRI, and TCFD.

This beginner-friendly course, Introduction to ESG Reporting, provides a clear and practical foundation for professionals who want to understand how ESG reporting works, why it matters, and how organizations can implement it effectively.

You will learn:

What ESG reporting is and why it is important for business strategy and risk management
How sustainability disclosures support regulatory compliance and investor confidence
The main ESG reporting frameworks and standards, including CSRD, ISSB, GRI, and TCFD
How to identify material ESG topics and collect reliable data
Governance structures needed for credible reporting
Common challenges and pitfalls in ESG disclosures
How ESG connects to enterprise risk management and long-term value creation

Through real-world examples and practical explanations, this course demystifies sustainability reporting and prepares you to participate confidently in ESG initiatives within your organization.

Whether you work in finance, compliance, sustainability, risk management, operations, or leadership, this course will give you the knowledge needed to contribute to responsible and transparent business practices. Don't forget to leave your feedback.

Who this course is for:

You will get real-life insights on the subject matter, AND you will understand why and how to set up your ESG reporting. After successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate that demonstrates not only your knowledge but even more so your understanding, as proven in small tests. This self-paced program enables you to learn according to your needs.