Metrics The CDSB initiative

CDSB's Climate Change Reporting Framework

Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Open pdf of the CDSB Framework (v1.1) Climate Change Reporting Framework CDSB’s Climate Change Reporting Framework is a voluntary reporting framework designed to elicit climate change-related information of value to investors in mainstream financial reports. Created in line with the objectives of financial reporting and rules on non-financial reporting, the Climate Change Reporting Framework seeks to filter out what is required to understand how climate change affects a company’s financial performance. Why integrate climate change information into financial reports? Increasingly, there is a recognition that value creation is correlated with disclosure of climate risk, greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation and adaptation activities. However, this recognition is not reflected in financial disclosures. By providing reliable and relevant information about this intangible factor, companies can communicate a holistic view of their company's management of risks and opportunities, and dedication to prepare for the future. Read more... Why should my company use CDSB's Framework to do this? Companies can use the Climate Change Reporting Framework to incorporate climate change-related information in mainstream financial reports. The Framework’s content assists companies in achieving a holistic view of how climate change can affect their performance and the necessary actions they could take to address the risks and opportunities. Investors will be able to make informed and robust decisions based on clarity, confidence and trust in climate change-related opportunities and risks disclosed by a company, understanding the comparative position of companies’ with respect to future challenges. Analysts will be better equipped to utilize climate change-related information in determining impacts on future cash flow and ultimately company valuations. Read more... Using the Framework The guide to the Framework sets out the essential elements of the Framework, alongside illustrative examples drawn from reporters of different size and from a variety of sectors. It is intended for use by company personnel involved in compiling and delivering climate change reports for corporate investors. View the guide... 'Integration of material climate change-related information into mainstream corporate reporting is an important step in helping investors understand the extent to which management of the issue is integrated into a company’s strategy and risk management and therefore the extent to which corporate value is being protected and enhanced in this respect. Hermes EOS therefore welcomes CDSB’s Climate Change Reporting Framework as a catalyst for increasing the focus on valuable corporate reporting on climate change. In particular we welcome the Framework’s flexibility, underpinned by the concepts of materiality and strategic imperative, allowing companies to start their reporting from the principle of communication rather than compliance. We hope this sets a useful direction of travel for the development of future standards and regulation on climate disclosure to facilitate the commensurate quality of dialogue between companies and investors that the issue deserves and requires.' - Freddie Woolfe, Corporate Engagement, Hermes Equity Ownership Services