To collect ESG data for the CSRD you need to build a system that is clear, traceable and consistent with what you already do or should start doing.
In this guide we explain where to start, which tools to use, what mistakes to avoid and how to make everything easier, even if you are not an expert on sustainability.
The goal? Arrive prepared for reporting, without stress and without wasting time.
What ESG data is required for the CSRD?
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) data refers to concrete and measurable information that shows how a company affects the environment and society, as well as the governance and control systems it has in place to manage these impacts and promote responsible business practices.
The CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) makes ESG data mandatory and integrates it into the annual financial statements (Read next: What the CSRD really demands and what changes for your company).
This means, for example, no longer just saying "we are committed to the environment", but indicating how many tons of CO2 are produced, how much energy comes from renewable sources, how many women sit on the Board and what is the company’s accident rate recorded each year. Additionally, everything must be traceable, verifiable and compliant with ESRS.
What ESG data you need to collect in order to comply with the CSRD
The data to be collected depends on what the company does, based on the principle of double materiality – meaning you need to report both how its activities impact people and the planet, and how sustainability issues affect the company itself.
Here are some practical examples:
- Environment: energy consumption (in kWh), greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1, 2 and 3), water usage, waste generation.
- Social: number of employees by gender and type of contract, average salary per category, inclusion and welfare initiatives.
- Governance: board structure, anti-corruption policies, internal audits, transparency of decision-making.
Practical tip: start by creating a list of the data you already collect to comply with law (such as safety at work) and compare it with what you need to collect for your industry, according to ESRS standards.
Where to start collecting company ESG data
The first thing to do is to figure out where you are. Before you even think about tools or reports, you need a trasparent picture of how your company manages, or does not manage, issues related to the environment, people and governance.
Do you have written policies already? Do you use loose Excel sheets or have never monitored anything? It doesn’t matter, the important thing is to get started.
The advice is to immediately involve those who deal with finance and administration, who follow human resources, who are in production, and who have contacts with suppliers.
Everyone has a piece of the puzzle in their hands. Start with what already exists, such as data on energy consumption, safety at work, pay equity, the composition of the workforce, any audits or certifications, and begin to understand how to structure it in a more orderly and continuous way.
You don’t need to do everything right away. A shared file can be enough to start tracking, month after month, the main indicators. Start creating a collection routine, don’t wait for the deadline to notice that data is missing.
The most common errors in ESG data collection
One of the most common mistakes is to think that a Word document written at the last minute is enough to meet CSRD’s obligations. That’s not how it works.
Collecting ESG data takes time, methodology and cross-functional involvement. Delegating everything to a single person or to an office without support is a typical mistake. No one can collect credible data without direct access to the sources or cooperation.
Another common mistake is to not give yourself a regular cadence. If the data is collected sporadically, you risk losing important pieces or finding yourself reconstructing numbers months later, with great effort and little reliability.
Then there are those who collect everything without a logic, perhaps accumulating dozens of different files that are difficult to interpret and impossible to verify.
Finally, validation is undervalued by many; ESG data must be verifiable, traceable, and have a clear method behind it. Without this part, all the work is likely to fail the validation test.
What tools to use to collect and manage ESG data
Managing ESG data efficiently requires tools that go beyond the classic Excel sheet. Solutions are needed to centralise information, monitor key indicators over time, ensure consistency with ESRS standards and facilitate collaboration between different offices and departments. The more data is integrated and updated in real time, the less stress there will be when reporting time approaches.
Here come into play platforms designed for this
Solutions like Uyolo, for example, help you simplify the collection and management of ESG data, even if you start from scratch. They automate the flow, guide you step by step to meet CSRD requirements and provide a clear and structured view of your sustainability performance. All in an intuitive interface, even for those who are not experts in sustainability or reporting.
Choosing the right tool is not a technical detail, it is a strategic choice
It allows you to save time, reduce the margin of error and arrive prepared when your company will be called upon to account for its environmental, social and governance impact.
How to simplify reporting, even for SMEs or those starting from scratch
The secret is to make small steps well done. For example:
- Choose 3-4 key areas that you already have data on (e.g. personal, utilities, security),
- Start using a monthly checklist,
- Take a ready report template and adapt it.
Tools like Uyolo offer models already consistent with the CSRD, ideal for those who do not know where to start.
What changes with ESRS standards in ESG data management?
With the ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards), the collection and management of ESG data changes radically: from a voluntary and fragmented logic to a mandatory, detailed and structured system.
It is no longer enough to write general statements about company values or good intentions. It is necessary to demonstrate, with concrete figures, what the company does to reduce its environmental impact, improve people’s well-being and ensure transparency in governance.
Let us give some practical examples:
If before it was enough to write "we use energy from renewable sources", today it is necessary to indicate exactly how many kWh come from clean sources and attach documents that prove it. Or, if you claim to adopt gender equality policies, you have to show how many women are in the management levels, in the Board of Administration and how this proportion has changed over time.
The ESRS introduces a common grid for all companies, allowing data to be compared across sectors, countries and sizes. This promotes transparent valuation by investors, customers, public bodies and stakeholders.
From an operational point of view, this means you should:
- Have a precise data collection plan, with distributed responsibilities;
- Centralize information in structured tools (not multiple Word files or isolated tables);
- Adopt a continuous and verifiable approach, not an improvised one at the end of the year.
In practice, it changes the very way a company looks at itself. ESG reporting is no longer a nice presentation, but an official document integrated into the annual financial statements, with concrete impacts on rating, reputation and access to investments.
Those who prepare on time with suitable tools, such as Uyolo, not only reduce the stress of reporting, but also seize the opportunity to improve their performance, review internal processes and strengthen their market position.
A food & beverage company, for example, has had to upgrade its environmental data collection from a general statement ('Let’s reduce waste') to an accurate monthly calculation of the amount of organic waste and tons of CO2 saved through the use of compostable packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start collecting ESG data even if I don’t have any CSRD obligations yet?
Yes, it is recommended. ESG data collection takes time, coordination and an internal cultural change. Starting early allows you to build a solid foundation, test tools and methods, and train the people involved.
Small and medium-sized enterprises which today do not fall directly within the scope of the CSRD can also benefit from it, for example by participating in tenders, attracting investors or responding to requests from more structured customers.
Should ESG data be validated or certified by someone before being included in the CSRD report?
Yes, they must be verifiable and in many cases subject to verification by an independent reviewer. The CSRD introduces the requirement of limited assurance, that is an external audit certifying its reliability.
This means that data must be collected in a consistent, traceable manner with clear sources and defined methodologies. For this it is essential to use structured tools (such as Uyolo) that help ensure quality, traceability and consistency of data from the beginning.
ESG data collection as a lever to improve
In the new European landscape, knowing how to collect ESG data is a must for all companies that want to consciously approach their path towards compliance.
ESG reporting is a strategic process that touches on social responsibility, performance evaluation, market positioning and, in many cases, access to investments, calls for tenders and growth opportunities.
Writing an effective ESG report means reporting the company’s commitment in a way that is consistent with new regulations, showing not only good intentions but concrete facts. Good ESG reporting is now a fundamental reference point also for the rating, the relationship with stakeholders and the transparent reading of its results over time.
In this context, the creation of an effective data evaluation system, the choice of the right strategies and the adoption of appropriate technologies are central elements. We need a structured approach, a good dose of internal training, and above all a long-term vision that sees compliance not as a limit, but as an opportunity for development and competitiveness.
Collecting reliable data may seem complex, but there are solutions that can simplify every step from collection to reporting, even in companies that start from scratch or have limited resources.
You already have some ESG data but don’t know how to turn it into a CSRD-ready report?
With Uyolo you can start immediately, even with what you have.
Book a demo and start your journey to effective, strategic and compliant ESG reporting today.
