3 October, 2025

It has been a busy week in Brussels. European Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen, unveiled that the EU will have new binding GHG reduction targets ahead of COP30, even as the sustainability Omnibus she initiated seems to be unravelling the regulatory structure meant to support climate action.  

MEPs failed to agree on a compromise package to simplify CSRD and CSDDD obligations in recent shadow talks. That failure means negotiations will take longer than initially planned, leaving many companies in limbo between current reporting requirements and the prospect of future simplifications that may never materialise. 

Yet while Brussels hesitates, companies are moving ahead.  

PwC’s new Global Sustainability Reporting Survey shows that most firms reporting under CSRD or ISSB find the process challenging but valuable. Nearly 70% reWhy reporting is moving faster than the rules meant to govern itport moderate or significant business value beyond compliance, using insights to inform strategy, supply chains and risk management. Perhaps the most striking finding is that many plan to stick to the original CSRD schedule despite having the option to delay. 

The reason is clear: stakeholder pressure is at an all-time high. More than half of companies say demand for sustainability data has grown over the past year, with stakeholders across the board expecting greater transparency. In response, about two-thirds of firms have increased both senior leadership focus and resources dedicated to reporting. 

Compliance isn’t easy. Companies point to limited resources, fragmented data and weak collaboration across teams as the main hurdles. Many believe the journey would have been smoother with earlier data checks, stronger involvement from HR and finance, and better technology. At the same time, there are signs of real progress:  more than half now use central data platforms, disclosure tools or carbon calculators, and AI use in reporting has nearly tripled in the past year. 

Even if negotiations drag on in Brussels, one thing is clear: CSRD has already raised the bar. Expectations have shifted – and they are unlikely to shift back. That shift is already reshaping how companies approach strategy and reporting. We’re working with clients to turn new expectations into opportunity – and happy to share how we’re approaching frameworks, target-setting and reporting strategies that go beyond compliance. 

By Mariana Garcia