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ESG vs. Sustainability Reporting: What's the Difference?

What's the Difference Between an Impact Report, Sustainability Report, and ESG Report?

Before you start writing, it helps to be clear about what kind of report you aim to produce. These terms are often used interchangeably but have slightly different expectations, formats, and audiences.

What is an Impact Report?

A report that focuses on the outcomes of your programs or initiatives — especially the social or environmental change created. Common in nonprofits, foundations, B Corps, and social enterprises, impact reports emphasize storytelling, community outcomes, and learning.

Primary focus: Outcomes of mission-driven work (social/environmental impact)

Tone & format: Narrative, qualitative, people-centered

Audience: Donors, beneficiaries, partners, general public

Common uses: Nonprofits, B Corps, foundations, social enterprises

What is a Sustainability Report?

A sustainability report is a broader report that covers an organization's environmental, social, and economic performance. Typically structured around ESG pillars or aligned to frameworks like GRI or the UN SDGs. It shows how sustainability is integrated into operations, strategy, and culture.

Primary focus: Environmental, social, and economic performance (including operations and strategy)

Tone & format: Structured by ESG or SDG pillars; combines narrative and data

Audience: Companies, institutions, municipalities, hybrids

Common uses: Nonprofits, B Corps, foundations, social enterprises

What is an ESG Report?

An ESG report is a disclosure-focused report that presents environmental, social, and governance data relevant to financial risk and performance. Often aligned with investor standards like SASB, TCFD, or CSRD, ESG reports prioritize comparability, metrics, and regulatory compliance.

Primary focus: Quantified risk and performance factors that affect financial value

Tone & format: Data-heavy, risk-focused, investor-aligned

Audience: Investors, analysts, rating agencies, regulators

Common uses: Public companies, investor-facing orgs, financial institutions

Tip:

You don’t have to choose one label — many organizations combine these formats depending on who they’re reporting to. What matters most is being clear about your intention and who you’re trying to reach.