Sustainability Assurance: Requirements, Audit Steps & Preparation

Four common sustainability reporting regulations require independent third-party assurance of data:

• The California SB 253 and 261 climate rules (now referred to as Health & Safety Code 38532 and 38533) require around 5,300 companies doing business in California to disclose a range of climate information. Companies with over $500 million in annual revenues will be required to publish a report on their climate-related financial risks. Companies with over $1 billion in annual revenues will also be required to report GHG emissions data that has been assured.
• The European Union Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU CSRD) requires around 3,000 North American companies doing business in the EU to perform a double materiality assessment (DMA) and disclose material sustainability risks, opportunities, and performance data that has been assured.
• Canada has sustainability reporting standards CSDS 1 and 2 / IFRS S1 and S2 (financial materiality) for publicly traded companies.
• China has sustainability reporting standards CSDS (double materiality) for publicly traded companies.

Are you prepared?

Sustainability risk and data reporting are the fundamental starting place for any business, both for compliance and for identifying opportunities that could avoid costs, save money, improve recruitment and retention, and/or spur growth.

Independent third-party assurance gives confidence in your data to your business, your investors, regulators, and other key stakeholders. We will detail two examples to show what assurance looks like and how to prepare for success:

• EU CSRD
• California SB 253 and 261

Join SGS for our next webinar to learn:

• Four regulatory schemes driving climate risk and sustainability reporting in North America
• Which companies are affected by EU CSRD regulation and California SB 253 and 261
• What specific disclosures are required by EU CSRD and California SB 253 and 261
• Two pathways of training, risk assessment, reporting, pre-assurance, and assurance
• EU CSRD
• California SB 253 and 261
• The importance of audit-ready data management solutions
• Keys to preparing for a successful audit and opinion statement
• Q&A

Objective

Participants in this webinar will understand regulatory schemes driving sustainability reporting in North America, along with timelines and assurance requirements. They will learn which companies are affected, which disclosures are required, and affordable solutions that add business value.

Agenda:

• Introduction – Who are SGS and Gravity?
• SGS: What four regulatory schemes drive sustainability reporting in North America?
• SGS: Which companies are affected by EU CSRD and California SB 253 and 261?
• SGS: What disclosures are required by EU CSRD and California SB 253 and 261?
• SGS: Two pathways: training, risk assessment, reporting…
• California 253 and 261
• EU CSRD
• Gravity: Demo reporting platform and audit-ready data management
• SGS: Two pathways continued: pre-assurance, assurance audit
• California 253 and 261
• EU CSRD
• Keys to preparing for a successful audit and opinion statement
• Q&A

Target Audience:

Individuals responsible for managing ESG/sustainability performance for their company.

• Chief ESG/Sustainability Executives and Officers
• ESG/Sustainability Directors and Controllers
• Climate Change Officers
• Environmental, Facilities, Operations, and Supply Chain Managers

Language: English

Cost: No Charge

Cannot make a live session? Register now and receive a complimentary recording after the live event.

Speakers:

Adam Hammes

VP, Sustainability Assurance, SGS North America

Adam has 20 years of experience as a corporate ESG/sustainability consultant, author, and instructor. Founder of multiple organizations. MBA with international education and leadership experience integrating ESG/CSR/sustainability into corporate strategy.

Specialties: ESG scoring and improvements, ESG/sustainability strategic planning, project management, motivational speaking, writing, workshop facilitation and training, executive coaching, stakeholder engagement and materiality assessment, unique and profitable collaborations, and purpose-based marketing.

• FSA Credential—Level I
• GRI Certified Professional
• Certified ACCO Climate Change Professional
• Certified TRUE Zero Waste Advisor
• LEED Accredited Professional BD+C

Jay Ruckelshaus, PhD

Co-Founder, Gravity

Jay Ruckelshaus, PhD, is Co-Founder of Gravity, a carbon and energy management platform that aligns sustainability and business value. Previously, Dr. Ruckelshaus worked in academia and economic development and has published articles in leading academic journals and news publications.

Kim Lefrancois

ESG/Sustainability Business Development Manager, SGS North America

Kim is the ESG and Sustainability Business Development Manager for North America at SGS North America. She has partnered with clients of all sizes in many different industries for over 16 years. With nearly 10 years of experience in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification industry, she helps clients find customized training solutions, certification services, second-party audits, and supply chain solutions.