Environmental, Social & Governance

ESG explained

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is an umbrella term which refers to how companies perform on non-financial metrics.

It has been gathering momentum in recent years as stakeholders, regulators, funders and consumers are asking deeper and more incisive questions about the organisations they work with, fund and contribute to. Recent legislative changes have created a whole new system for categorically reporting on your organisation's impact on ESG criteria, and setting out a credible and testable ESG strategy and reporting mechanism is critical to ensure future success.

For those who are not subject to mandatory ESG reporting, many are now working actively to take steps which will make their business more sustainable, including initiatives such as introducing paper-free workplaces and encouraging sustainable work travel policies, working from home opportunities and the purchasing of more environmentally friendly products. Many companies are reporting on their impacts voluntarily, while more are coming under the scrutiny of regulators or companies in their value chain to do so. Crowe has developed the experience and understanding to assist you in this work, and this page is intended to provide you with some introductory insights on ESG and how this could apply to your organisation.

Setting out an ESG strategy is among the first steps many organisations are taking. A creative, ambitious and realistic ESG strategy will help your organisation address environmental, social and governance issues which impact you. With an effective and clear strategy, you will be able to address these changes in a way which builds stakeholder trust, rigorous oversight and risk management across the three headlines of Environmental, Social, and Governance.

Our services

Having an ESG strategy matters both for you and for those you work with.

There are many considerations to be worked through when developing an ESG strategy, including standards, customer expectations, investor concerns and funder/investor requirements.

Through the development and implementation of an ESG strategy, you are not only finding ways to be more sustainable and care for the planet and the people on it, but it is also a way for your organisation to show clients, service users and investors your commitment to following sustainable standards. This also means that those you work with can more easily meet their own requirements set out in the various reporting standards and directives.

Sustainability is becoming a greater concern to consumers and investors. Research has shown that the top three stakeholder-driven factors which will impact the sustainability approaches of an organisation are employee pressure, consumer pressure, and investor and shareholder pressure.

It is therefore beneficial to have a strategy which allows you to showcase to your clients and customers your commitment towards responsible and sustainable business practices.

ESG reporting standards

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a piece of EU legislation aimed at increasing reporting transparency and promoting accountability regarding ESG activities and impacts. Reporting is required to comply with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which establish comprehensive reporting criteria across various aspects of environmental, social and governance issues. In 2025, the European Commission announced a new package of proposals that are aimed at simplifying and streamlining ESG reporting and requirements. This proposal is currently being negotiated and is likely to be finalised by the end of 2025. For more information, see our FAQ section.

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)

The CSDDD is an EU Directive that focuses on due diligence and action relating to human rights and impacts on the environment, including across value chains. Companies are obligated by the legislation to evaluate the consequences of their activities, reporting on identified impacts and outlining actions that will address these. Companies governed by the CSRD must also fulfil the obligations outlined in the CSDDD. Within the revised EU Proposals, requirements to report on CSDDD have changed. For more information, see our FAQ section.

Voluntary Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME)

The Voluntary Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME), developed by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), is a voluntary framework designed for non-listed micro, small, and medium sized enterprises to simplify and standardise their sustainability disclosures. It was created to give smaller entities outside the scope of the CSRD a streamlined way to report on sustainability information. Reporting under VSME operates on an “if applicable” basis, meaning companies only disclose topics relevant to their organisation. Following recent CSRD changes under the Omnibus Directive, out-of-scope businesses are encouraged to adopt VSME, as banks and large companies still within the scope of CSRD will request this information from their value chain. This approach reduces the reporting and information gathering burden for smaller companies.

Global Reporting Initiative

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is an internationally recognised voluntary standards-setting organisation which enables transparency and open disclosure relating to impacts on the economy, environment and people. The initiative consists of three different standards that an organisation can report on:

Universal Standards;
Sector Standards; and
Topic Standards.

The GRI standards work on a modular basis, therefore allowing organisations to report and focus on the most relevant topics for the organisation and its stakeholders. It is particularly attractive to non-profit organisations.

United Nations Global Compact

The UN Global Compact is a voluntary initiative launched by the United Nations to encourage businesses and organisations to adopt sustainable and socially responsible practices. It is built on ten principles covering human rights, labour standards, environmental protection, and anti-corruption, derived from major international declarations such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Rio Declaration. In addition, it supports the UN’s broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

By joining, companies commit to aligning their strategies with these principles, embedding them into daily operations, and reporting progress annually through a Communication on Progress (COP).

UN SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global objectives set by the United Nations as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals aim to tackle a variety of global issues, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. More information on each goal can be found here on the UN website.

Businesses play a crucial role in achieving the UN SDGs by integrating sustainable practices into their operations and strategies.

Our team

We have a team of dedicated ESG experts and advisors ready to assist your organisation in tackling environmental, social, and governance challenges. Our specialists offer customised strategies to boost sustainability, enhance social impact, and strengthen governance frameworks. By partnering with us, you can ensure compliance, foster innovation, and build a resilient, responsible business that meets stakeholder expectations and contributes positively to the global community.

We regularly stay up to date with emerging ESG trends and changes, ensuring that our advice is current and aligned with the latest industry standards and best practices.

Organisations today must recognise that focusing on ESG and sustainability isn't just a trend – it’s a strategic imperative that demonstrates a commitment to future generations. In our interconnected world, the businesses that prioritise environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and strong governance are the ones that will thrive, build trust, and create lasting value for all stakeholders.

Shane McQuillan

Consulting Partner

Crowe Ireland

Our clients

At the heart of our work is a commitment to helping organisations and businesses embed sustainability and ethical practices into everything they do. Through our ESG initiatives, we have partnered with a wide range of clients, spanning industries, sizes, and sectors, to support them in achieving their long-term sustainability goals and building responsible business strategies.

From guiding charities through evolving reporting standards to helping corporations align with global sustainability frameworks, our expertise ensures that every client can move forward with confidence. Whether it’s reducing environmental impact, strengthening governance structures, or enhancing social responsibility, we provide practical solutions that deliver measurable results.

We are proud to showcase the organisations we’ve worked with and the positive outcomes they’ve achieved. Below, you’ll find a selection of some of our clients along with their testimonials.

We at Belong To LGBTQ+ Ireland are incredibly grateful for the consultancy services provided by Crowe Ireland in developing our ESG strategy. The team at Crowe Ireland was exceptionally positive and supportive throughout the entire process. Their expertise and guidance made what could have been a complex and daunting task feel straightforward and manageable. We truly appreciate their dedication and the ease with which they facilitated our journey towards a more sustainable and socially responsible future.

Moninne Griffith

Belong To CEO

We were delighted that Crowe kindly delivered a highly informative and thought-provoking workshop on ESG to the Irish Heart Foundation recently. This provided clarity as to what ESG means for us as a charity, what ESG looks like in practice and how to develop a strategy for ESG. Hugh and Sunniva are skilled facilitators and used their knowledge and expertise to impart clear and straightforward content. This will greatly assist the Irish Heart Foundation to move in the right direction in terms of Environment, Social and Governance.

Emma Balmaine

Irish Heart Foundation CEO