Sustainability Reporting & Disclosure

Bilancia is dedicated to supporting our clients in enhancing their reporting practices and promoting transparency in their sustainability performance.

With our expertise and commitment to sustainability, we offer a comprehensive range of sustainability reporting services customised to meet each client’s unique needs.

Standards & Frameworks Alignment

By adopting internationally recognised reporting standards & frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR), Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and CDP. We ensure that the reporting aligns with industry best practices and provides a standardised approach to disclosing sustainability performance.

Goal Setting

Our team assists you in setting clear and measurable sustainability goals and targets (Net-zero, Science-based Targets Initiative) that align with your organisation’s overall strategy. We help you identify the most relevant and material Sustainability, Climate Change or ESG-related issues to focus on, ensuring your reporting addresses key sustainability challenges.

Data Collection and Management

We help you improve your data collection and management systems, ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of your sustainability data that meet the highest standards of integrity.

Stakeholder Engagement

We facilitate stakeholder consultations, surveys, and training sessions to gather valuable insights and perspectives. By understanding your stakeholders’ needs and priorities, we ensure the reporting effectively addresses their concerns and fosters trust.

Continuous Improvement

We partner with you on an ongoing basis, regularly reviewing and enhancing your reporting practices. We stay up to date with evolving reporting standards, stakeholder expectations, and emerging sustainability trends, ensuring that your reporting remains relevant and impactful.

By partnering with Bilancia, you can be confident in the quality, transparency, and credibility of your sustainability reporting efforts. Together, we can drive positive change, promote sustainable decision-making, and build a better future for your organisation and stakeholders.

FAQ

What is BRSR and who needs to comply with it?

Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) is SEBI’s mandatory ESG disclosure framework for India’s top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalization from FY 2022-23. BRSR Core, requiring reasonable assurance from FY 2024-25 onwards, mandates detailed quantitative disclosures on environmental, social, and governance parameters, replacing the earlier Business Responsibility Report (BRR) format.

What is the difference between BRSR and BRSR Core?

BRSR is the comprehensive sustainability reporting framework covering nine ESG principles with qualitative and quantitative disclosures. BRSR Core is a sub-set focusing on KPIs of high relevance to investors and stakeholders, requiring third-party reasonable assurance. BRSR Core covers at least 75% of the company’s value chain and includes mandatory metrics on emissions, energy, water, waste, diversity, and governance practices.

Which international reporting frameworks should Indian companies consider?

Beyond BRSR, Indian companies should align with GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) Standards for comprehensive sustainability reporting, TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) for climate risk reporting, SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) for industry-specific metrics, and CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) especially if engaging with international investors. Integrated Reporting framework helps connect financial and sustainability performance.

How much does it cost to prepare BRSR reports with third-party assurance?

BRSR report preparation costs vary from ₹5-15 lakhs for mid-sized listed companies, depending on data readiness and complexity. Third-party reasonable assurance for BRSR Core typically costs ₹8-25 lakhs, while limited assurance is relatively less expensive. Companies should invest in ESG data management systems (₹10-30 lakhs) to streamline ongoing reporting and reduce annual preparation costs over time.

What are the common challenges in sustainability reporting for Indian companies?

Key challenges include data collection across multiple locations and business units, lack of standardized measurement systems, ensuring data quality and accuracy, Scope 3 emissions measurement without supplier cooperation, limited internal expertise, integration with existing reporting processes, and managing increased disclosure requirements. Progressive companies address these through technology investments, capacity building, and phased implementation approaches.

How can sustainability reporting benefit my company beyond compliance?

Robust sustainability reporting enhances investor confidence, potentially lowering cost of capital and attracting ESG-focused funds managing over $35 trillion globally. Benefits include improved internal management through better data visibility, stakeholder trust building, competitive differentiation, risk identification and mitigation, employee engagement, and readiness for future regulations. Companies with strong ESG disclosure typically command premium valuations in Indian markets.