The data challenge and technological impact of ESG

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 addresses the complexities and challenges of managing data within the context of ESG reporting. With increasing regulatory expectations such as SFDR, CSRD, and the EU Taxonomy, financial institutions must develop robust technological solutions to manage ESG data collection, analysis, and reporting effectively. This course will provide an understanding of the technological demands and challenges related to ESG data.

By the end of this training, participants will:

• gain an understanding of the regulatory expectations around ESG data, including SFDR, CSRD, and other reporting standards;
• learn about the key data challenges faced in ESG reporting, including data collection, quality, and integration;
• understand the technological requirements and solutions for effective ESG data management and reporting;
• develop strategies for navigating the complexities of ESG data aggregation, analysis, and disclosure.

Introduction to ESG data requirements

• Overview of the regulatory requirements for ESG data, including SFDR, CSRD, and ISSB standards.
• Key data points required for ESG disclosures and the challenges in data sourcing.

Data collection and quality challenges

• Identifying challenges in collecting accurate and reliable ESG data.
• Approaches to ensure data quality, consistency, and comparability across entities.

Technological solutions for ESG data

• Overview of technology's role in addressing ESG data challenges.
• Tools and platforms for data management, automation, and reporting.

Practical implementation and case studies

• Case studies showcasing best practices for ESG data management.
• How organisations can integrate technology to enhance their ESG reporting capabilities.

This training is coordinated by Michael Horvath 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 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.