Sustainability Reporting

• TSRS (Türkiye Sustainability Reporting Standards)
• GRI
• Integrated Reporting
• ISSB
• ESRS
• CDP, UNGC CoP, etc.

Initially driven by voluntary frameworks such as GRI, Integrated Reporting, and TCFD to communicate corporate approaches to sustainability to investors and other stakeholders, sustainability reporting has evolved into a legal requirement across many regions and sectors. In Türkiye, companies meeting certain criteria are required to prepare sustainability reports in compliance with the Türkiye Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRS). These companies are included in the “List of Businesses Enumerated in the First Paragraph of Article 3 of the Board Decision and Subject to Limits” and exceed at least two of the following thresholds for two consecutive reporting period:

• Total assets: 500 million Turkish lira
• Total revenue: 1 billion Turkish lira
• Number of employees: 250

 

Banks subjected to the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (Bankacılık Düzenleme ve Denetleme Kurumu, BDDK) are required to prepare TSRS-compliant sustainability reports notwithstanding any threshold limitations.

Companies outside the scope may also prepare TSRS-compliant sustainability reports on a voluntary basis to enhance investor trust, strengthen corporate reputation and gain a competitive advantage.

The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, implemented through the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), together with Türkiye’s Green Deal strategy, are likely to expand the scope of mandatory sustainability reporting.

Sustainability reporting differs significantly from Integrated Reporting in terms of the reporting standards, content, and target audience. These differences are outlined in the following table:

Sustainability Reporting	Integrated Reporting
Focuses mainly on a company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.	Provides a holistic view by integrating financial performance with sustainability and social responsibility information.
Aims to disclose a company’s economic, environmental and social impacts, commitments and performance in these areas, with limited emphasis on financial information.	Aims to disclose how a company creates short-, middle- and long-term value by linking financial and ESG information.
Targets a broader range of stakeholders.	Targets primarily investors and capital providers, offering insight into the reporting organization’s sustainability strategy as well as its key risks and opportunities.
Prepared in accordance with mandatory and voluntary reporting standards such as GRI, ISSB, TSRS, ESRS.	Prepared in accordance with Integrated Reporting standard.

The applicable reporting framework depends on your industry, company size, geographic scope, and the expectations of your stakeholders. Each standard differs in focus, technical requirements, and the scope of disclosure. Here are key considerations when choosing:

Regulatory Compliance:

The shift towards mandatory national and regional frameworks marks a change from voluntary corporate sustainability reporting. For example:

✅As of 2024, companies conducting business in Türkiye that exceed at least two of the following thresholds are subject to mandatory sustainability reporting aligned with TSRS:

• Total assets: 500 million Turkish lira
• Total revenue: 1 billion Turkish lira
• Number of employees: 250

 

Banks and financial institutions are also required to prepare TSRS-compliant reports based on specific ownership criteria and thresholds, which can be reviewed here.

✅As of 2024, EU-based listed companies already subject to the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) are required to report in line with ESRS.

From 2025 (for the 2026 reporting year), all large companies meeting both of the following thresholds must also comply with ESRS:

• Net turnover: 450 million euros
• Number of employees: 1,000

 

Non-EU companies will be subject to ESRS if, over two consecutive years, they exceed the following thresholds:

• an EU subsidiary that generates 450 million euros in net turnover, or
• an EU branch with an annual net turnover of over 200 million euros.

 

Industry-Specific Needs:

Different industries face unique ESG challenges that require tailored reporting approaches. Sectors such as finance, energy, and manufacturing often benefit from industry-specific standards that provide the most relevant metrics and insights. For example, SASB Standards provide tailored metrics that address the most financially material sustainability topics in each of 77 industries.

Global Recognition:

For companies engaged in voluntary reporting to investors, financial institutions, and global stakeholders, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the most widely accepted and recognized standard. GRI is considered a global benchmark for transparency and comparability. You can find detailed information about GRI here.

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) are among the most recognized and globally accepted sustainability reporting frameworks.

Climate-Focused Disclosures:

For organizations with significant environmental exposure, TCFD and platforms like CDP support the disclosure of climate-related financial risks and carbon footprints.

At ESG Turkey® Consulting, we provide expert sustainability reporting services to ensure your reports are not only compliant with relevant standards but also tailored to your business and strategically impactful. We guide you through the entire reporting process, from reporting framework selection to data communication, with a focus on strategy and value creation.

Our sustainability reporting services include:

Enhancing Corporate-Level Awareness

Through sustainability training programs, we support the enhancement of employees’ sustainability-related knowledge and competencies, thereby improving individual performance and strengthening overall corporate performance.Choosing the Right Standard

We support organizations in choosing the most appropriate national and international reporting standards, such as TSRS, GRI, SASB, ISSB, based on their specific needs, sector dynamics, and stakeholder expectations.

Data Collection & Analysis

We systematically collect and interpretate the ESG performance data (e.g., energy, water, emissions, waste, occupational safety) for sustainability reporting purposes.

Report Writing & Design

We ensure that sustainability reports are prepared in alignment with corporate strategy, using clear and transparent language, and in compliance with standards such as TSRS and GRI. We also offer professional visual design services to complement the content with clear and consistent visual story telling.

Interpretation

With our expert team, we meticulously manage the translation of the sustainability reports into English, ensuring alignment with international reporting language and terminology.

Communication & Publication Strategy

Optionally, we provide guidance on content planning, publication strategy, and the selection of digital stakeholder communication channels to ensure the report effectively reaches its target audience.

Leveraging years of experience as a specialized ESG consulting firm, we support companies and their stakeholders in developing sustainable business models that reduce resource consumption, create long-term value, and improve overall performance.

We provide effective management consultancy, planning, reporting, training, and research services across all pillars of sustainability, including environmental and energy management and sustainability reporting technologies.

✅ A team of expert consultants specializing in ESG, sustainability, and corporate reporting
✅  Established track record and proven experience across industries and geographical regions
✅ Customized, strategic, and results-driven solutions that align with your organizational needs

Please contact us to strengthen your stakeholder relationships and enhance your environmental and social performance.

For organizations just starting their corporate sustainability journey, or looking to elevate their sustainability performance, we offer additional solutions that go beyond reporting to help foster a strong corporate sustainability culture.

Setting Up a Sustainability Management System: We support organizations to establish a Sustainability Management System tailored to their own specific needs and aligned with international standards. Within this context, we develop task descriptions that embed sustainability targets into governance structures, define clear responsibilities and measurable KPIs.

Developing Sustainability Policies: We develop and update corporate sustainability policies tailored to specific organizational needs and aligned with international standards. These policies are designed to be actionable and measurable, fully aligned with the company’s overall strategy.

Stakeholder Engagement and Materiality Analysis: We integrate stakeholder engagement and materiality analysis into strategic decision-making processes by producing outputs aligned with international sustainability reporting standards. This helps organizations build their strategies and targets on a solid foundation and maximize their potential to create value in sustainability areas.

Identifying Sustainability Risks and Opportunities: Through our methodology and deliverables, fully aligned with TSRS, IFRS, GRI, IIRC, and CDP reporting standards, we support organizations in effectively managing sustainability- and climate-related risks and transforming emerging opportunities into long-term strategic advantages.