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 Horvath is a partner at PwC with extensive expertise in sustainable finance and the asset management industry, including both financial and real assets. Since joining PwC Switzerland in 2011 and PwC Luxembourg in 2018, he has led significant projects in regulatory audit and advisory, focusing on the asset management sector. Michael has played a key role in implementing the EU regulatory framework for sustainable finance, including SFDR, taxonomy regulation, and CSRD, as well as other regulatory initiatives such as DORA, AML/CFT, CSSF circular 18/698, and MICA. He is a certified public accountant in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and has contributed to designing compliance frameworks and operational implementations driven by regulatory changes. His notable client projects include defining target operating models for Luxembourg AIFMs, digital operational resilience planning, AML/CFT framework implementation, and ESG/sustainability process design, supported by his involvement in training and regulatory advisory.
• Julien Melotte is a partner specialising in sustainability and audit with over 15 years of experience advising and auditing large listed groups headquartered in Luxembourg. He leads PwC’s Luxembourg corporate sustainability consulting and assurance practices, focusing on sustainability strategy, non-financial reporting (including CSRD readiness and assurance), transformation, and assurance. Julien also heads the Broader Assurance Services in Luxembourg, emphasising sustainability, data assurance, IT risks, and controls. As a process and controls expert, he manages significant finance and non-financial transformation projects across various industries. His expertise includes sustainability strategy development, data assurance, technology implementation, internal controls, and leading major client projects in sustainability reporting and financial audits.
• Julien Jacqué is a partner in PwC Luxembourg’s technology consulting department, co-leading the ESG Non-financial sector service offering and ESG Data & Technology services across sectors. With over 12 years of experience, he supports operational and financial clients in launching Sustainability and ESG transformation programs, guiding them from ESG strategy definition to business model transformation and regulatory reporting. Specialising in transport, logistics, manufacturing, and financial services, Julien leads large-scale transformation projects and international teams, including ESG reporting upgrades for telecom clients. His expertise includes ESG strategy, Net Zero, business intelligence platforms, and end-to-end project leadership for major clients in Europe and beyond.
• Claire Cherpion is a partner at PwC Luxembourg Broader Assurance Services, specialising in Sustainability and Sustainable Finance. She leads readiness assessments and assurance reviews under ISAE 3000, ensuring compliance with GRI/SASB standards and the accuracy of non-financial data in sustainability reports for financial market players and operational companies. Claire is actively involved in PwC’s TCFD, CSRD, EFRAG, and Taxonomy working groups. Her expertise includes project management of environmental data processes, sustainability KPI reviews, ESG strategy workshops, and authoring sustainability content. She has advised clients on EU regulatory compliance and led major projects in non-financial reporting and sustainability verification.