Guide to Creating Impact, ESG and Sustainability Reports
A Practical Guide to Impact and Sustainability Reporting
If your organization is working toward positive change — environmental, social, or both — your report should reflect that work clearly and honestly. This guide is for teams who want to share their progress transparently, thoughtfully, and usefully with those who read it.
Inside, you'll find straightforward guidance on everything from choosing a reporting framework to organizing your data, engaging stakeholders, and writing in a way that feels grounded and real. Whether you're just getting started or refining an existing report, this resource is here to help you communicate your impact — without the fluff.
Why Sustainability Reporting Matters
- Purpose of sustainability and impact reports
- Benefits (trust, strategy alignment, talent, marketing, etc.)
- Business case and stakeholder value
- Common motivations across sectors (corporates, nonprofits, B Corps)
Why Sustainability Reporting Matters
Tools for Building Reports
Choosing the Right Report Framework(s)
Best Practices and Common Pitfalls
ESG vs. Sustainability Reporting: What's the Difference?
Resources and Templates
Gathering and Managing Data
Materiality: Focusing on What Matters Most
Structuring the Report — Sections and Flow
Writing the Report — Tone, Style, and Clarity
Design and Accessibility
Sharing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Report
Continue Reading
Why Sustainability Reporting Matters
A Way to Earn Trust, Align Strategy, and Drive Real Progress
Published
Tools for Building Reports
Platforms, software, and workflows that actually work for real teams
Published
Choosing the Right Report Framework(s)
Structure, Standards, and Getting it Right
Published
Best Practices and Common Pitfalls
What credible reports get right — and where others fall short
Published
ESG vs. Sustainability Reporting: What's the Difference?
What's the Difference Between an Impact Report, Sustainability Report, and ESG Report?
Published
Resources and Templates
Tools to get started, stay organized, and keep improving
Published
Gathering and Managing Data
How to Collect, Verify, and Organize the Data You’ll Need
Published
Materiality: Focusing on What Matters Most
Not every topic belongs in your sustainability or impact report. That’s where materiality comes in.
Published
Structuring the Report — Sections and Flow
What to Include, and in What Order
Published
Writing the Report — Tone, Style, and Clarity
Striking the Right Balance Between Facts and Voice
Published
Design and Accessibility
Good Design Makes a Better Report
Published
Sharing, Publishing, and Promoting Your Report
Get it out — and make it count
Published