Non-financial reporting as a challenge for entrepreneurs – an interview with Agnieszka Sznyk

According to data from the European Commission, the new CSRD directive will introduce a sustainable development reporting obligation for around 50,000 companies across the EU. In Poland, approximately 4,000–5,000 entities will be subject to these regulations, covering a wide range of sectors—from international corporations to start-ups.

The requirement for non-financial reporting will take effect for companies at different times, depending on their size and turnover. So how can they prepare?

Non-financial reporting – a challenge for entrepreneurs

The President of the Institute of Innovation and Responsible Development, Agnieszka Sznyk, points out that although this obligation will initially apply to larger companies, preparing an ESG report may pose a challenge for all businesses. The new standards include hundreds of indicators—from carbon footprint analysis to compliance with the EU Taxonomy, which classifies economic activities as environmentally sustainable.

Non-financial reporting – education and collaboration as key to success

New skills, education, investment in personnel, and in some cases, even changes to business models, strategies, or processes may be necessary. President Sznyk emphasizes that cross-functional collaboration within companies is crucial for effective reporting. It’s worth starting to collect ESG-related data now, even for SMEs that won't be subject to the requirement in the immediate future.

Non-financial reporting – people, processes, tools

The CSRD directive requires companies to report digitally, which ensures data comparability and easier collection. While preparing for ESG reporting, entrepreneurs should focus on three key aspects: people, processes, and tools, to ensure the effectiveness of their efforts.

The full interview is available on the Puls Biznesu portal at the following link: https://www.pb.pl/tajniki-esg-wyzwaniem-dla-przedsiebiorcow-1202322