Från rapportering till transformering: Hållbarhetskonsulters perspektiv på CSRD:s potential till hållbar verksamhetsomställning

Abstract

Humanity faces a major challenge with the climate and environmental crisis, largely driven by reckless recourse use and greenhouse gas emissions by corporations. The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) aims to standardise corporate sustainability reporting, making practices more transparent and comparable. This directive seeks to enhance sustainability practices and guide market forces towards sustainability, supporting the EU’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. This thesis investigates the CSRD’s impact, potential, and limitations through insights from sustainability consultants. To investigate the transformative potential of the CSRD on business, I used theoretical frameworks such as market-based instruments (MBIs), sustainable business, and sustainable finance. I conducted semi- structured interviews with sustainability consultants and then analysed the interview data using thematic analysis. Companies’ reactions to the CSRD vary widely. Corporations with an advanced concept of sustainable business see it as an opportunity, while less sustainably mature ones feel overwhelmed. Potential pitfalls include lacking concrete performance requirements and an identified transformation paradox. However, the directive has prompted early climate actions, but its effectiveness depends on financial sector engagement and its theoretical adoption of sustainable finance. CSRD is a necessary legislation, but further institutional actions are necessary.