4 Types of Sustainability Reports: Which One is Right for Your Business?

For sustainability leaders, juggling competing priorities is part of the job. This challenge is on full display when it comes to sustainability reporting, with consumers, investors, and regulatory agencies all demanding transparency.

The key is deciding how much effort to dedicate and what level of disclosure will make the biggest impact. As you plan your 2025 sustainability report, think strategically about what will resonate most with your key stakeholders.

Here are four types of reports to consider, and how Bespoke ESG can support you in making the right choice. 

1. Annual Data Fact Sheet

What it is:
Data fact sheets resemble financial balance sheets, tracking key social and environmental metrics such as greenhouse gas emissions and gender pay ratio.

Pros:

• Provides key data without full design, ideal for integration into a narrative website or as a biennial alternative to a full narrative report.

• Directly answers investor questions.

• Places key results front and center.

Limitations:

• It can be challenging to inspire stakeholders with data alone.

• May imply that reporting is done out of necessity (e.g., for compliance) rather than as part of the company's core ethos.

We often see companies include data fact sheets alongside their full sustainability reports but we see an opportunity to use this type of disclosure on a biennial basis. This approach allows for key quantitative disclosures to update stakeholders without the lift of report design and storytelling that come with a narrative or full report.

2. Narrative Report

What it is:
Narrative reports prioritize a storytelling approach, using mostly qualitative data to inspire stakeholders. These are ideal for private companies.

Pros:

• Simplifies complex data, making it more understandable for customers and investors.

• Ideal for private companies that may not have extensive regulatory requirements.

• Case studies and visual representations of data can make the report more compelling.

Limitations:

• Companies should be cautious of greenwashing if the narrative overshadows the supporting data.

• Investors may prefer reports that align with recognized frameworks, which can lend more credibility.

Company Examples: Too Good to Go

3. Integrated Report 

What it is:
Integrated reports connect key financial and non-financial information into one cohesive report, which is specifically useful to investors.

Pros:

• Streamlines sustainability and corporate financial reporting.

• Typically more resource-efficient.

• Reinforces the idea that sustainability is a core part of business strategy.

Limitations:

• Non-investor stakeholders, such as employees and consumers, may find this format less accessible as it is often geared toward Board-level discussions.

• It can be challenging to align with reporting frameworks without significantly expanding the length of the report.

Company Example: Etsy

4. Full Report

What it is:
Full reports follow frameworks or standards issued by regulatory bodies and combine extensive quantitative data with narrative storytelling.

Pros:

• Creates a visually compelling document that meets regulatory and framework requirements.

• Clearly communicates key messages tailored to different stakeholders.

• Can be launched with a robust communications strategy to maximize visibility.

Limitations:

• Resource-intensive in terms of budget, headcount, and time.

• Without a strong communications strategy, the report may not reach its intended audience and could go unnoticed.

• Key information may be buried in a lengthy document, making it hard for stakeholders to find what’s most relevant to them without reading the entire report.

Company Example: Microsoft

How Bespoke ESG Can Help

Choosing the right type of report is critical to meeting your company’s sustainability goals and effectively communicating with stakeholders. At Bespoke ESG, we make it easy for you by offering tailored solutions that fit your specific needs:

• Strategic Recommendations: We help you select the best reporting approach for your company in 2025 and beyond.

• Roadmap Development: We prepare your company for new regulations with a clear and actionable plan.

• Custom Reporting: We deliver a custom approach to your next sustainability report, ensuring it aligns with your business objectives, resonates with your stakeholders and meets regulatory requirements. 

Bespoke ESG is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today!

** Note: The company reports mentioned in this article are used as examples only. Bespoke ESG did not produce the linked reports.