Resources and Templates

Creating a sustainability or impact report doesn't have to start from scratch. You can use a growing ecosystem of frameworks, templates, and public examples — whether you're publishing your first report or evolving a mature program. This article rounds up the most valuable resources, organized by purpose.

Frameworks and Standards

These foundational resources help you know what to report — and how.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

• GRI Standards
• Content Index Template
• Covers: environmental, social, economic, and governance topics
• Best for: comprehensive reporting to all stakeholders

Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)

• Industry Standards
• Materiality Finder
• Covers: financially material ESG issues by sector
• Best for: investor-focused reporting

Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

• TCFD Recommendations
• Covers: climate governance, risk, strategy, metrics
• Best for: companies with significant climate exposure

B Lab / B Impact Assessment (BIA)

• BIA Tool
• Covers: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers
• Best for: mission-driven companies and social enterprises

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG Compass
• Business Indicators Database
• Covers: 17 global goals for sustainable development
• Best for: aligning impact to global priorities

2. Templates and Reporting Aids

These tools help you structure your report, save time, and stay consistent.

Pre-Built Report Templates

• Canva: Free drag-and-drop PDF templates (search "sustainability report")
• Wordpond: Free digital template
• Piktochart: Infographic-style layouts with editable fields
• Demand Metric (Microsoft Word): Sustainability Report Template
• B Lab Benefit Report Template: For certified B Corps (available via B Lab portal)

Open-source and Developer Tools

• Markdown or LaTeX templates for highly technical teams
• GitHub repositories with open-source content index tools (mainly for tech-savvy users)

3. ESG Report Examples to Learn From

Looking at how others report is one of the fastest ways to understand what good looks like.

Patagonia: 2023 Benefit Corporation Report

Authentic, values-driven benefit reports with candid reflections

Highlights:

Transparency: Comprehensive disclosure of environmental impact and ethical initiatives

Third-Party Assessment: Includes B Lab's evaluation, ensuring credibility.​

Stakeholder Engagement: Emphasizes community involvement and sustainable practices.

Minus: PDF format limits accessibility

Unilever Integrated reporting linking ESG to business strategy

Unilever integrates sustainability disclosures within its annual financial report, aligning with its strategic goals.​

Highlights:

Integrated Reporting: Combines financial and sustainability data for a holistic view.​

Assurance: Subject to external verification, enhancing reliability.​

Data Accessibility: Provides detailed performance metrics in supplementary documents.

Minus: PDF format limits accessibility

Microsoft Data-rich report with clear structure and climate targets

Microsoft's report details progress toward environmental commitments, including carbon negativity and water positivity.​

Highlights:

Goal-Oriented: Sets clear targets with timelines for sustainability initiatives.​

Innovation: Showcases technological solutions for environmental challenges.​

Global Impact: Addresses worldwide operations and supply chain considerations.

Where to find more

You can find many of these reports via:

SustainabilityReports.com 

CorporateRegister.com (requires free sign-up)

4. Guides and Sector Resources

For those who want to go deeper or need industry-specific help:

• GRI + SASB Joint Guide: Explains how to use both frameworks together
• AuditBoard's Sustainability Reporting Guide: Covers strategy, KPIs, and reporting cycles
• UN Global Compact Communication on Progress (COP): Required for members, useful as a baseline
• Industry Tools:
  • IPECA Guide (Oil & Gas)
  • Higg Index (Apparel)
  • GRESB (Real Estate)
  • Global Compact LEAD and SDG Business Hub (various sectors)

Final Tip

Don't get overwhelmed by the options. Start with:

• One primary framework (e.g. GRI or BIA)
• One public example from your industry
• One template that suits your team's capacity

From there, it builds over time. The best reports evolve — and the resources are here when you're ready.