BUILDING PUBLIC TRUST AWARD

A panel of experts consisting of representatives from business, academia, investors, supervisory boards, and rating agencies examined the sustainability reporting of companies in the DAX 40 and MDAX. The focus was on companies that are subject to the CSRD and must therefore apply the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which will come into force in 2024.

Compared to the previous directive, the NFRD, the CSRD, and the associated ESRS significantly expand reporting requirements. A key element is “double materiality”, which requires companies to not only disclose the sustainability risks and opportunities that affect their financial results (“financial materiality”), but also to present the impact their business activities have on the environment and on society (“materiality of impacts”). This broadens the reporting focus beyond the corporate perspective to take into account impacts along the entire value chain.

​In this context, the jury primarily assessed the quality and consistency of sustainability reporting with the aim of evaluating the CSRD readiness of the companies. The thematic focus was on the ESRS thematic standards, i.e. “climate change”, “greenhouse gases”, “company workforce”, “company policy”, and “governance”. These were examined for credibility, completeness, and presentation using innovative analysis methods and machine text analysis.

​

Six awards for excellent sustainability reporting were presented at the BPTA 2024: Allianz SE was named the overall winner in the CSRD Readiness category for its comprehensive and transparent reporting, particularly for its detailed breakdown of financed emissions by asset class and its transparent presentation of measures relating to climate, social issues, and governance. Deutsche Telekom AG received the award for the best CSRD reporting on “company workforce” in the DAX 40. Of particular note is the clear formulation of concepts, measures, and targets (i.e., policies, actions, targets) and a strong focus on employee engagement and satisfaction. Bayer AG was awarded the “Climate Change DAX 40” prize for its detailed climate reporting, particularly for its climate protection measures and the decarbonization of its energy mix. Airbus SE won the CSRD Readiness “Emerging Leader” award for establishing comprehensive measures to mitigate climate risks and transparent reporting on social issues such as “company workforce” and the “gender pay gap”. In the MDAX, the award for CSRD Readiness “MDAX Workforce” went to Evonik Industries AG, which stood out with its clear identification of key issues and detailed reporting on diversity and workplace safety. GEA Group AG was awarded the CSRD Readiness “Climate Change MDAX” prize for its materiality analysis, which is based on the ESRS, and for its credible climate neutrality strategy, which is based on clear and comprehensible decarbonization measures.

​

Further links:

• The winners 2024

• The jury

• Information on the Award 2024 to download:​

​

​