By Business & Finance 
Pictured (from l-r): Ciara Hogan, Commercial Director, Teddy Murphy CEO and Brian Byrne COO, Miagen.
The onus of sustainability for businesses has evolved. In the last year, for many, it has become not just a moral imperative, but a legal one, too. Ciara Hogan, Commercial Director of Miagen, takes a closer look.
However, for business leaders to focus solely on the latter is to do their business a disservice and risk falling behind. Indeed, recent research from Thomson Reuters shows that 71% of corporate leaders believe ESG investment is a source of competitive advantage, while 82% believe its role in business performance will grow.
While the introduction of regulations like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are vital, business leaders must remember that it is not just about environmental responsibility; it is fundamentally tied to commercial viability. Today, it is a strategic imperative for all organisations to demonstrate a clear commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Failure to do so risks losing investor confidence, an inability to secure financing and falling behind the competition.
At the heart of this lies one crucial factor: transparency. Regulations like CSRD may be shifting, but the need for reliable, efficient, and strategic ESG reporting is greater than ever. Businesses who take ESG transparency seriously – beyond regulatory requirements – are future-proofing their operations and strengthening stakeholder trust.
CSRD changes: Why ESG reporting still matters
Recent legislative changes in the EU aim to reduce the administrative and financial burden of CSRD reporting by removing approximately 80% of businesses from the scope of CSRD, while the deadline has been extended for others. Despite this, the underlying principles of transparency and robust ESG practices remain relevant for every business. In fact, the reduced pressure from regulations offers businesses an invaluable opportunity: the chance to strategically embed ESG into their core business planning and operations without the strain of imminent mandatory deadlines.
The drive for transparency isn’t just coming from regulators; investors, customers and supply chain partners are all setting their own ESG expectations. That means access to finance and growth opportunities are fundamentally linked to ESG reporting. Businesses who proactively enhance their transparency now – in other words, before they are legally obliged to – will have a competitive edge and be prepared for compliance as and when it comes.
It is also worth noting that key elements of the CSRD framework, such as risk and opportunity analysis, are not just box-ticking exercises: they are incredibly valuable for business planning. They help businesses to make smarter strategic decisions and unlock new revenue streams.
What does it take to become transparent?
One of the greatest hurdles businesses face with ESG reporting is data complexity. Gathering and analysing sustainability data that spans multiple departments and seemingly endless sources can be overwhelming. This goes beyond the ability of a spreadsheet: businesses need smart solutions that simplify and streamline the process.
Miagen’s solution for this is GreenGen, which is designed to eliminate inefficiencies by centralising ESG data on a single, secure platform. It collects ESG-related data, manages the process ensuring full transparency of stakeholder engagement and provides real-time actionable insights that enable scenario planning, risk assessment and performance tracking. In doing so, the platform ensures businesses are making real, measurable progress in their sustainability efforts. And, for those who already fall under the scope of regulatory obligations, it automates built-in checklists for specific regulations.
Of course, transparency isn’t just about numbers: it requires embedding sustainability into business strategy, clearly communicating challenges as well as successes, and ensuring that ESG reporting isn’t just a compliance exercise but a value driver for the business. However, businesses must adopt a data-first approach to enable these fundamental changes.
By leveraging technology-driven ESG solutions, enterprises can shift from reactive compliance to proactive sustainability leadership. The goal isn’t just to report better; it’s to compete better in a world where sustainability credentials are becoming a key differentiator.
Future-proofing your business with ESG transparency
The future of business is now intrinsically linked with sustainability, responsibility and trust. Organisations who embrace transparency in ESG reporting will build stronger relationships with investors, attract top talent and gain long-term competitive advantages.
The choice is clear: enterprises can either lead the charge on sustainability transparency, or risk being left behind. With the right approach – and the right tools – ESG reporting can become a growth engine rather than a regulatory burden.
