CSRD and ISSB interoperability

Nowadays, it's almost impossible to open a newspaper without encountering an article on 'sustainability'. Whether it's in the context of the financial services industry, the broader economy, or society as a whole, sustainability has become a critical issue. In recent years, it has gained significant traction and is now recognised as a necessity rather than just a trend.

Over the past decade, the focus on environmental issues has grown exponentially, resulting in various global commitments and initiatives aimed at transforming current institutional, economic, and financial models.

This training focuses on the interoperability between the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) frameworks. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these two major sustainability reporting standards align, overlap, and complement each other, allowing organisations to efficiently meet their regulatory requirements while delivering meaningful sustainability disclosures to a wide audience. The aim is to reduce duplication, promote transparency, and maximise the utility of disclosed sustainability data.

By the end of this training, participants will:

• understand the key principles and requirements of both CSRD and ISSB standards;
• recognise how CSRD and ISSB frameworks can be aligned for effective sustainability reporting;
• gain insights into practical approaches for preparing interoperable sustainability reports that comply with both frameworks;
• learn how to streamline data collection and reporting processes to enhance efficiency;
• build an understanding of the global sustainability reporting landscape and the role of these two frameworks in harmonising sustainability data.

• Introduction to CSRD and ISSB frameworks
  • Overview of CSRD and ISSB standards and their purpose in the global sustainability reporting context.
  • Understanding the key differences, overlaps, and alignment opportunities.
• Comparative analysis of CSRD and ISSB requirements
  • Detailed comparison of the disclosure requirements under CSRD and ISSB standards.
  • Examination of the similarities in the structure, materiality concept, and focus areas (e.g., climate, governance).
• Opportunities for interoperability
  • Key areas where CSRD and ISSB intersect, and how to align reporting processes.
  • Benefits of interoperability, including reduced reporting burdens and streamlined processes.
• Implementing interoperability in practice
  • Step-by-step guidance for integrating CSRD and ISSB reporting requirements into a unified sustainability report.
  • Tools and technologies to support interoperable reporting, including data management and verification platforms.
  • Case studies illustrating successful approaches to interoperability between CSRD and ISSB.
• Global reporting landscape and stakeholder expectations
  • The role of CSRD and ISSB in promoting global alignment in sustainability reporting.
  • Insights into investor and stakeholder expectations around transparent, harmonised sustainability disclosures.

This training is coordinated by Michael Horvath, Claire Cherpion, Julien Melotte and Julien Jacqué, Partners at PwC Luxembourg.

Michael has acquired a strong financial and regulatory audit as well as advisory background and significant experience leading projects in the asset management sphere.

In the recent past, Michael has been particularly involved in various regulatory projects related to the implementation of the EU regulatory framework for sustainable finance (i.e. SFDR, taxonomy regulation, CSRD) at entity and product level. Michael is involved in various other regulatory projects for clients, from DORA, AML/CFT regulation over CSSF circular 18/698 to MICA.

Julien Melotte is a sustainability and audit partner having more than 15 years expertise in advising or auditing large listed groups headquartered in Luxembourg. He is leading PwC’s Luxembourg corporate sustainability consulting and assurance practices with a clear focus on sustainability strategy, non-financial reporting (CSRD readiness and assurance), transformation and assurance.

He is also leading the Broader Assurance Services practice in Luxembourg with particular focus on sustainability, data assurance, IT risks and processes and controls.

As a process and controls expert, Julien manages significant finance and non-financial transformation project for clients operating in various industries.

Julien is the EMEA Sustainability in Finance Transformation Leader at PwC and is actively engaged in PwC EMEA’s CSRD Centre of Excellence. With over 12 years of consulting experience, he currently oversees PwC LU’s Sustainability Reporting and Transformation services.

Julien holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Corporate Finance and has provided extensive support to clients in the implementation of data and technology solutions. Over the past few years, he has assisted both financial and corporate clients in their sustainability journey, spanning strategy, transformation, and reporting. Julien possesses both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in ESG regulations such as CSRD, EU Taxonomy, EU ETS, and CBAM.

Claire is a risk assurance partner at PwC Luxembourg and focuses on sustainability reporting, assurance and consulting.

With more than 20 years in auditing and advising, she supports large clients to demonstrate the robustness of their control environment and processes under the international standards such as ISAE 3000. She has developed a strong expertise in sustainability and climate reporting to advise or assess clients’ disclosures on non financial information. She is actively involved in PwC's CSRD/TCFD working groups. She is certified by Cambridge business and climate change – Towards net zero emissions.