CSRD Deloitte: Key facts from the ‘Sustainability Report’
Discover the CSRD Deloitte study: how companies benefit from their sustainability strategies and what the key findings mean for your own reporting.
- 85% of CxOs increased sustainability investment in 2024, up from 75% in 2023.
- 92% of executives say companies can cut CO2 and keep growing at the same time.
- Supply chain resilience and higher profit margins now rank as top sustainability benefits, ahead of brand reputation.
- 50% of companies already use technology solutions to meet climate targets; 42% plan to within two years.
- CSRD pushes companies to set measurable targets and disclose progress, turning reporting into a strategic tool.
Against the backdrop of the CSRD Deloitte 'CxO Sustainability Report 2024', it is clear that sustainability is no longer a marginal issue. It has long since taken a central place in corporate strategy. The Big 4 auditing and consulting firm Deloitte sheds light on the growing strategic importance of sustainability. We examine the study from a CSRD perspective and interpret the results accordingly.
The CSRD Deloitte Study 2024
Sustainability as a growth driver
According to the Deloitte study, 85% of CxOs surveyed report that their investment in sustainability measures increased in 2024, up from 75% in 2023. This illustrates that sustainability is more than just a regulatory necessity in many companies.
Can companies save CO2 and keep growing at the same time? The vast majority of managers surveyed (92%) say yes. What stands out this year: managers increasingly report a direct impact of their sustainability measures on both the environment and the bottom line. For the first time, supply chain efficiency and resilience (37%) and higher profit margins (37%) were cited as significant benefits of climate protection measures. Both factors now rank higher than brand awareness and reputation.
What does the CSRD mean for companies?
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) focuses on disclosing non-financial information, including a company's impact on the environment and society. In the study, Deloitte notes that 70% of CxOs worldwide expect climate change to have a major impact on their corporate strategies and processes over the next three years. In Germany, 56% share this expectation.
This shows how important it is to view CSRD requirements as more than a bureaucratic burden.
In particular, the implementation of the double materiality assessment (DMA) gives companies the opportunity to scrutinize their own business model, identify risks, reduce costs, and promote innovation and growth.
Technology as a driver for reporting and sustainability goals
The use of climate technology is a decisive step toward reducing CO2 emissions. Half of managers have already started using technology solutions to achieve their climate targets, and 42% plan to do so within the next two years. Of the companies already using technology, more than half say they are using it to develop more sustainable products and services. Executives expect this innovation push to deliver the greatest benefit to their sustainability efforts over the next five years (38%).
The CSRD promotes the use of digital technologies to improve the collection and reporting of sustainability data. The CSRD Deloitte study confirms that 50% of companies have already implemented technological solutions to achieve their climate targets. These CSR tools play a key role in fulfilling reporting obligations under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) or the EU Taxonomy, particularly for collecting accurate and transparent ESG data.
Other relevant studies cover technology adoption in more depth: the PwC CSRD software study and a separate study documenting a fragmented CSRD software market.
The study data shows that companies primarily use ESG software solutions for data collection and aggregation, regulatory compliance reporting, and setting and tracking climate targets. Technology adoption is accelerating as reporting requirements grow more detailed.
The biggest ESG challenges for companies
A large number of companies already feel the effects of climate change on their operations. Organizations feel it most strongly through changes in consumer behaviour (51%). The second most common challenge cited by managers surveyed: regulatory requirements such as the CSRD or the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
Other significant challenges include:
- Climate-related disasters and weather events with operational consequences (50%)
- Government incentives for climate investments (49%)
- Employee health problems due to environmental changes (49%)
- Rising insurance costs or lack of insurance availability (48%)
These figures show how wide-ranging the climate-related challenges for companies already are.
Commitment to measurable targets and progress
A central element of CSRD is the obligation to set clear sustainability targets and report on progress. The Deloitte study shows that 56% of companies have already implemented two to three significant "needle-moving" measures to achieve their sustainability goals.
The most frequently implemented measures are:
- Use of more sustainable materials (51%)
- Technology solutions for climate or environmental goals (50%)
- Increase in energy efficiency (49%)
- Direct purchase of renewable energy via contract or certificates (49%)
The following measures are considered more difficult to implement and have been adopted by fewer companies so far:
| Measure | Share of companies that have implemented it |
|---|---|
| Development of new, climate-friendly products or services | 48% |
| Requiring suppliers to meet specific sustainability criteria | 47% |
| Redesigning processes, infrastructure, or supply chains for climate resilience | 46% |
| Linking executive remuneration to environmental sustainability performance | 43% |
Companies are taking concrete steps to report sustainability performance in a measurable and transparent way. This is a key aspect of CSRD. Still, several high-impact measures remain underused. One relevant example: CSRD reporting via ESRS data points requires companies to disclose whether part of management remuneration is linked to sustainability targets. That transparency requirement is likely to drive wider adoption of this measure in the coming years.
Map your mandatory ESRS data points and track disclosure obligations efficiently. Our template helps you stay on top of what needs to be reported under CSRD.
Conclusion
The Deloitte study and the CSRD share a central insight: sustainability is a strategic driver, not just a regulatory checkbox. The link between technology, climate targets, and reporting shows that companies addressing these requirements early and comprehensively are better positioned for long-term success.
Frequently asked questions about the CSRD Deloitte study
What is the Deloitte CxO Sustainability Report 2024?
The CxO Sustainability Report 2024 is an annual Deloitte study surveying senior executives worldwide on their sustainability priorities, investments, and challenges. The 2024 edition highlights growing investment in sustainability and a stronger direct link between climate action and business results.
What are the main benefits companies report from sustainability investment?
According to the Deloitte study, the top reported benefits have shifted. Supply chain efficiency and resilience (37%) and higher profit margins (37%) now lead ahead of brand reputation. This signals that sustainability is delivering tangible business value, not just reputational gains.
How does CSRD connect to the findings in the Deloitte study?
CSRD formalizes what the Deloitte study shows companies already moving toward: systematic target-setting, transparent progress reporting, and technology-enabled data collection. The double materiality assessment (DMA) required by CSRD is a practical tool for identifying exactly the risks and opportunities the study highlights.
What role does technology play in CSRD compliance?
Technology is central. Half of the surveyed companies already use digital solutions to meet climate targets, and the CSRD actively promotes technology adoption for more accurate ESG data collection. CSR tools and ESRS-aligned software help companies manage data collection, meet reporting standards, and audit requirements more efficiently.
