{"id":7501,"date":"2025-03-12T10:44:47","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T10:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mba.aua.gr\/seminario_mba_sustainability\/"},"modified":"2025-06-24T09:32:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T09:32:45","slug":"seminario_mba_sustainability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mba.aua.gr\/en\/seminario_mba_sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"MBA Seminar: Sustainability Reporting"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Wednesday, January 15th, 2025, the MBA Food & Agribusiness of the Agricultural University of Athens hosted a highly relevant and insightful seminar on Sustainability Reporting.
\nThe speaker, Mr. Panagiotis Valantas\u00eds, Managing Partner at Aegean Experts, provided a comprehensive overview of the significance of sustainability reporting in today\u2019s business landscape, the evolving regulatory requirements, and the best practices adopted by leading companies around the world.<\/p>\n

What Is Sustainability Reporting?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sustainability reports are powerful transparency tools that allow companies to disclose their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Stakeholders \u2013 including investors, suppliers, consumers, and regulators \u2013 increasingly demand reliable information on how companies manage their resources, address risks and opportunities, and shape their long-term sustainable development strategies.<\/p>\n

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Regulatory Framework and Double Materiality<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u03a3According to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) of the European Union, many companies are now required to submit sustainability reports aligned with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). A core concept in these reports is double materiality, which considers both the financial impact of ESG factors on the company, and the company\u2019s impact on the environment and society.<\/p>\n

The Role of Internal Controls in Sustainability Reporting<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Accurate and transparent sustainability reporting relies on robust internal systems and control mechanisms. Companies must implement internal controls to:<\/p>\n

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  1. Manage Data \u2013 Collect credible and verifiable ESG data.<\/li>\n
  2. Ensure Compliance \u2013 Align reporting with international and European standards, such as GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) and ESRS.<\/li>\n
  3. Assess Risks \u2013 Identify and manage ESG-related risks through systematic monitoring and auditing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Sustainability Assurance<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    A key topic discussed during the seminar was the importance of independent assurance of sustainability reports. This assurance increases the reliability of disclosures and helps prevent greenwashing. Mr. Valantas\u00eds distinguished between:<\/p>\n