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ISSB and the future of global sustainability reporting

Prepare for the future of sustainability reporting. Download the ISSB report to understand global standards, challenges, and how to enhance your organization's disclosures.

Prepare your organization for the evolving global sustainability reporting standards landscape with our comprehensive International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) report, focused on the ISSB’s efforts to establish globally consistent sustainability reporting standards.

Is your organization ready to navigate the complexities of global sustainability reporting?

The global climate change and sustainability regulatory landscape is complex and fragmented, creating significant challenges for businesses worldwide.

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), established under the IFRS Foundation and aligned with the International Accounting Standards Board, aims to unify corporate sustainability reporting under a coherent global baseline of sustainability disclosure standards.

This report explores the dynamics shaping global sustainability reporting, including the ISSB’s plans to consolidate existing frameworks such as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. It highlights hurdles, opportunities, and the critical role of the private sector and other stakeholders in driving convergence toward widespread adoption of IFRS sustainability disclosure standards.

Use this report to:

  • Understand the evolving global sustainability reporting landscape and the ISSB’s role as a potential unifying framework for sustainability related financial disclosures and climate related financial disclosures.
  • Gain insights into geopolitical and regulatory challenges impacting sustainability reporting, including the roles of the US, EU, UK government, China, and India, and their respective regulatory frameworks such as UK sustainability reporting standards (UK SRS) and the Climate Disclosure Standards Board.
  • Learn how standardized sustainability disclosures can improve risk management, investor confidence, and regulatory compliance by providing material information on sustainability risks, climate related risks, and sustainability impacts.
  • Explore the opportunities and risks associated with regulatory divergence and geopolitical tensions affecting financial markets and capital markets.
  • Discover how your organization can prepare for and adapt to emerging disclosure requirements and integrate sustainability related information into your company’s financial statements and integrated reporting framework.

Key Insights

Complex and Fragmented Landscape

Current sustainability reporting is inconsistent, hindering market transparency, decision making, and risk assessment related to climate change and sustainability topics.

ISSB’s Ambitious Consolidation

ISSB seeks to harmonise global sustainability standards, integrating frameworks like TCFD recommendations, SASB standards, and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards into a comprehensive set of sustainability disclosure standards.

Geopolitical Divergence

US withdrawal contrasts with China and India’s growing alignment with ISSB standards, creating a fragmented regulatory frameworks environment that challenges the goal of globally consistent sustainability disclosures.

Private Sector’s Role

Businesses, investors, and capital market participants can influence policy and drive alignment by supporting consistent global sustainability reporting standards and voluntary use of IFRS sustainability disclosure standards.

Risks of Fragmentation

Continued divergence may increase compliance costs, reduce market efficiency, and slow sustainability progress, impacting financial stability and the ability to measure performance on sustainability related financial information.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

  • Geopolitical tensions between major economies complicate global alignment on climate disclosure and sustainability reporting standards.
  • Technical complexities in sustainability data, including greenhouse gas emissions reporting aligned with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, and the disclosure of sustainability related financial information.
  • Waning public interest in climate change and sustainability risks may reduce political momentum and pressure on governments and reporting companies to adopt robust disclosure requirements.

Opportunities

  • ISSB offers a unique chance to establish a global baseline for sustainability reporting that supports capital markets and financial stability by enhancing transparency and comparability of sustainability disclosures.
  • Alignment can unlock access to international capital markets and improve risk management by providing clear, reliable sustainability related financial disclosures.
  • Early adoption and voluntary use of IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 standards can position companies as leaders in sustainability transparency and improve their financial performance and stakeholder trust.

How Marsh Can Help

As sustainability reporting requirements evolve, Marsh supports your organisation to:

  • Prepare for Regulatory Changes: Tailored guidance to comply with ISSB standards, UK sustainability reporting standards, and other emerging regulatory frameworks, helping you meet general requirements for disclosure and data privacy considerations.
  • Manage Political Risk: Scenario analysis and crisis planning to navigate geopolitical challenges affecting climate related disclosures and sustainability risks.
  • Navigate Financial Markets: Align risk management with investor and insurer expectations for better terms by demonstrating commitment to sustainability disclosures and integrated reporting frameworks.
  • Mitigate Regulatory and Liability Risks: Risk advisory and insurance solutions to protect leadership teams from emerging exposures linked to climate disclosure and sustainability related risks.

Contact our experts to learn how Marsh can help you stay ahead in the evolving sustainability landscape and meet the disclosure requirements of reporting companies applying ISSB standards.

Report FAQs

The ISSB is an international body under the IFRS Foundation that aims to unify sustainability reporting standards globally, improving transparency and comparability of sustainability related financial disclosures.

Corporate leaders, risk managers, investors, insurers, regulators, and other stakeholders interested in sustainability reporting, climate related financial disclosures, and risk management.

ISSB consolidates and builds upon these frameworks, including the Climate Disclosure Standards Board and the Global Reporting Initiative, to create a comprehensive global standard for sustainability disclosure standards.

Divergent policies and priorities among major economies, especially the US, EU, UK government, China, and India, affect the widespread adoption of ISSB standards.

By assessing readiness, aligning internal processes with IFRS sustainability disclosure standards (IFRS S1 and IFRS S2), and engaging with Marsh for tailored support on disclosure requirements and integrated reporting frameworks.

Explore the future of sustainability reporting with confidence. Download the ISSB report today.