Sustainability assurance

Driven by regulators, investors, customers and communities, organisations are increasingly needing to demonstrate the credibility of their environmental and social performance. As such the role of sustainability assurance has never been more critical. Assurance isn’t only about ticking boxes or meeting compliance thresholds. It’s about building trust, driving transparency, and ensuring that sustainability claims are backed by robust, verifiable data. Achieving these goals requires collaboration.

No single organisation can navigate the complexities of sustainability reporting, supply chain accountability and climate risk alone. The most resilient and forward-thinking companies are those that embrace partnerships across industries, borders, and disciplines, to collaboratively develop solutions that are both credible and scalable. At Crowe, we believe that collaboration is essential to delivering meaningful sustainability assurance. Guided by the Crowe Global vision of "Working as One", we lead by example by partnering across our network and working hand in hand with peers, clients and stakeholders to build trust, share expertise, and create lasting impact.

Why collaboration matters

Working collaboratively unlocks access to shared resources and diverse perspectives, which in turn accelerates innovation. Whether it’s cross-functional teams within a business or partnerships between firms, these joint efforts foster continuous improvement and lead to more resilient strategies. Transparency and accountability also flourish in collaborative environments, helping stakeholders verify sustainable practices with greater confidence. The appetite for collaboration is growing. In fact, 73% of business leaders say they’re willing to work with competitors to achieve net-zero goals, a clear signal that sustainability is a shared priority, not only a competitive edge. At Crowe, we embrace this ethos through Working as One, actively engaging talent across our UK, Ireland and global networks to deliver high-quality assurance services by combining local expertise with global specialism.

Collaboration at Crowe

In August 2025, Crowe UK and Crowe Ireland worked together to provide limited assurance on carbon emissions for a professional services firm. This joint project helped the client verify its environmental data and meet reporting requirements, while also demonstrating its commitment to transparency and accountability. By seeking independent assurance, the organisation took a proactive step in building stakeholder trust and aligning with evolving sustainability standards.

This kind of teamwork is built into how we operate. Sunniva Henden from Crowe Ireland joined the Crowe UK sustainability team for seven weeks to support delivery and share expertise. Her involvement helped strengthen the relationship between our teams and showed the value of working across borders. By combining individual strengths with international experience, we were able to tailor our approach to the client’s needs and deliver a reliable, practical assurance service. It’s a model we continue to build on, bringing together the right people to help our clients report with confidence and meet growing expectations around sustainability.

Hearing from our staff

"Collaborating with Crowe Ireland on the emissions assurance project was a truly rewarding experience. Their fresh perspective and critical thinking brought a new lens to our sustainability assurance work, helping us refine and strengthen our limited assurance methodology. The exchange of ideas and expertise not only enhanced the quality of the project but also deepened relationships across the Crowe network. This collaboration has laid a strong foundation for future projects, enabling us to better serve our clients with shared knowledge and a unified approach.” – Archie Putt, Assistant Manager, Crowe UK

"I had the pleasure of collaborating with Crowe UK on an emissions validation project during the late summer and early autumn. Working with their experienced and welcoming team made it easy to get up to speed in a new area, and I gained valuable insights throughout the process. It was a rewarding experience, both professionally and personally, and I enjoyed being part of a thoughtful and knowledgeable team.

"The project involved collecting emissions data from the client’s global entities to ensure reliable reporting across scope 1, 2, and 3. This included validating their findings through detailed analysis, helping confirm that their sustainability reporting was both accurate and aligned with international reporting standards. I found the work engaging and reflects the kind of work I’m eager to expand my expertise within.” – Sunniva Henden, Consultant, Crowe Ireland

These reflections highlight the value of collaboration, not just in delivering high‑quality assurance, but in building shared expertise and stronger relationships across our network.

How can Crowe help?

As sustainability expectations continue to evolve, Crowe remains focused on maintaining technical excellence while fostering a culture of learning and collaboration. Projects like this allow us to build shared capability, deepen our understanding of climate-related assurance, and deliver outcomes that reflect the needs and priorities of our clients. Working alongside colleagues who share this commitment is energising, and it’s how we continue to grow our impact and support meaningful progress in sustainability. If your organisation is looking to strengthen its sustainability reporting, we invite you to contact members of our team. Whether through a consultation, workshop, or tailored engagement, our teams are ready to help you navigate the assurance process with confidence and clarity.