European Sustainability Reporting Standards: An analysis of firms' readiness to disclose sustainability information

As sustainability reporting becomes increasingly regulated, European firms must apply the latest available European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) for sustainability information pertaining to financial year 2024 with release in 2025. This thesis examines firms’ readiness to adopt ESRS by reviewing the content and the quality of their sustainability disclosures released in 2024 pertaining to financial year 2023, with a focus on ESRS 2 (General disclosures), ESRS E2 (Pollution) and ESRS S3 (Affected communities). The outcomes reveal key challenges in the preparedness of companies to disclose certain valuable data and in the integration of sustainability into corporate procedures. Findings suggest that while companies seem ready to disclose generic ESG information, detailed and impact-driven reporting remains a significant obstacle. This highlights the need for greater effort in how businesses provide the necessary data and are held accountable for the effects of their operations on people and the society. Such research aids stakeholders in comprehending how ESRS reporting improves the comparability, trustworthiness, and decision-usefulness of ESG disclosures. Thereby it contributes to the growing literature on disclosures’ transparency and corporate accountability providing insights for regulators, investors, and firms navigating the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability reporting.