Sustainability in focus: Experts discuss opportunities for companies!

Sustainability in focus: Experts discuss opportunities for companies!

On March 9, 2025, the discussion about corporate sustainability is more topical than ever. At an online event that took place on February 18th at 5 p.m. as part of the Neuburg Discussion Group, experts addressed the central challenges and opportunities associated with sustainability reporting. The guests included Ellen Weiland from the German Savings Banks and Giro Association and Prof. Dr. Christoph Pelger from the University of Passau. The event was aimed not only at interested parties, but also at media representatives who wanted to find out more about EU sustainability regulation.

A significant aspect of the discussion was ESG reporting, which has been mandatory for large companies since 2017. This reporting, which focuses on environmental, social and governance criteria, has an impact not only on large companies, but also on medium and small companies. The contents of this reporting are not currently subject to audit, which leads to additional discussions about the quality and reliability of the sustainability data. Weiland explained the role of the savings banks in supporting small and medium-sized companies through sustainable financing.

ESG criteria as the basis of sustainability

The ESG criteria are a central component of modern corporate strategies and describe key aspects of sustainability. These criteria include environmental, social and corporate strategy components that help companies measure and evaluate their sustainability efforts. According to information from haufe.de, ESG data serves as the basis for comprehensive sustainability strategies and reports, often as part of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which requires companies to collect and report specific ESG data.

At the event, the experts also discussed the scientific perspectives on current developments in this area. Prof. Dr. Christoph Pelger gave insights into the state of research on sustainability reporting and highlighted the challenges that companies face. These range from defining a clear vision and strategy for ESG to selecting relevant ESG indicators and ensuring the quality and validity of ESG reports, which must meet the high expectations of stakeholders.

Advantages and challenges of ESG performance

Strong ESG performance is increasingly seen as a criterion for economic success. Companies that proactively address these issues benefit from increased reputation and competitive advantages. They also have a better chance of acquiring investments and identifying ESG-related risks at an early stage. Consequently, responsible corporate management strengthens the bond with employees, customers and other stakeholders and contributes to greater resource conservation and waste reduction.

On the other hand, companies face numerous challenges. A clear vision and strategy for ESG must be defined, relevant indicators must be selected and high-quality data must be collected. Producing meaningful ESG reports that meet the needs of stakeholders remains an ongoing challenge.

The event also offered the opportunity for discussion and questions after the lectures, which promoted the exchange between theory and practice. The in-depth analyzes and experiences of the speakers made it clear how important a sustainable orientation is for the future of companies and underlined the growing pressure to actively meet relevant requirements.

For further information on ESG reporting and its relevance for companies and investors, we recommend the detailed reports from University of Passau, the guidelines of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the comprehensive overview of Haufe.