What is CSRD training?
Before we talk about CSRD training, a brief introduction to the CSRD. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a new European Union directive that obliges companies to report on their sustainability performance. In Germany alone, an estimated 15,000 companies are affected by the directive. The specific requirements for companies to implement the CSRD are set out in the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The 12 ESRS guidelines comprise a total of over 1,100 ESRS data points and are considered quite complex. If you do not necessarily want to use a tool such as the data point mapping template, it may be useful to carry out appropriate training.
The CSRD Directive came into force for the first companies on January 1, 2024. Due to the complexity, the large number of requirements and some ambiguities in implementation, there is great uncertainty among many affected organizations and responsible ESG managers. In order to eliminate these uncertainties and shed light on the CSRD jungle, there are numerous CSRD training offers, training courses and courses. These are designed to help companies understand and implement the requirements of CSRD and ESRS.
Target groups of CSRD trainings & courses
The target groups of CSRD Training & Education are broadly diversified and include all stakeholders affected by the new Sustainability Reporting Directive. These include in particular
1. Company:
- Executives: CEOs, CFOs, sustainability directors and other executives must understand the importance of CSRD, allocate the necessary resources for implementation and are ultimately responsible for the sustainability report.
- Sustainability Officers: They are responsible for developing and implementing the sustainability strategy and preparing the sustainability report.
- Employees: As part of the double materiality analysis, internal stakeholders are involved in order to identify the material ESG issues in the company. It is helpful if employees are informed about the CSRD.
2. Consultants:
- CSRD consultantsThey support companies in the development and implementation of their sustainability strategy and in the preparation of the sustainability report.
- Auditors: Auditing firms such as PwC, Deloitte and EY carry out a CSRD audit of companies with regard to the accuracy and completeness of the sustainability report.
3. Other:
- ESG analysts: They evaluate the sustainability performance of companies and invest in companies with a good ESG rating. In order to be able to better assess and compare sustainability, it makes sense to look at CSRD.
- NGOs: Climate protection organizations are committed to sustainable development and call on companies to act transparently and responsibly. In future, the sustainability report will be a valuable tool for identifying and highlighting shortcomings.
- Consumers: More and more end users want to know which products and services are sustainable and prefer companies that are committed to sustainability. In order to better assess this, it is useful to know how to read and interpret a CSRD sustainability report.
CSRD training & education should be tailored to the needs of the respective target group. For example, training for managers can provide an overview of CSRD and its importance for the company, while training for sustainability officers can focus on the practical aspects of reporting and the requirements of the ESRS.
Choosing the right CSRD training
The selection of the ideal CSRD training course is highly individual. You should consider the following factors when choosing the right course:
- Content of the CSRD training: Does the content meet your expectations? Make sure that all CSRD topics relevant to you are covered, e.g. sustainability reporting, materiality analysis and stakeholder communication.
Tip: Make sure that the training contains both theoretical and practical elements. - Target group of the course: Is the CSRD training tailored to you as the core target group? The added value of a course for you is very different, whether you are in the C-level of the company, are responsible for reporting or have to audit the sustainability report.
- Type of CSRD training: CSRD training courses are offered in various formats to meet the different needs of the target groups. There are purely online courses, classroom training or hybrid formats.
- Reputation of the provider: If you are purely interested in content, the reputation of the training provider may not be decisive, as new providers and niche companies also have expert knowledge in the field of CSRD and can communicate it very well. However, when it comes to certifications, it is advisable to use renowned providers.
- Cost of the training: Of course, the price of the training usually also plays an important role in the selection process.
By evaluating these criteria for yourself, you can choose the right CSRD training for your needs.
Top 10: CSRD Training & Education
The following list presents the best trainings and courses that specialize in CSRD and sustainability reporting. They are divided into free and paid CSRD offers.
Free CSRD training courses
1. Greenomy Academy
The Greenomy Academy is a free platform that aims to improve the reporting of organizations by educating them about ESG regulations and related disclosures (CSRD, EU Taxonomy, VSME, etc.). In addition to the Academy, the provider Greenomy also offers an ESG software solution for reporting. The free courses are currently offered in English.
The course ‘Deep dive into the CSRD & ESRS for corporates‘ offers a solid introduction to the topic and is therefore suitable for almost all target groups to approach the subject.
- Contents: Introduction to the CSRD; main components of the CSRD; implementation of the CSRD by the ESRS
- Target group: Everyone. Especially managers, employees and consumers
- Type of training: Online course
- Reputation: ★★☆
- Duration: 2-4 hours
- Costs: Free of charge
2. Vorerst AG
With its (free) e-learning courses, Vorest AG offers the perfect basic overview of your desired topic, such as CSRD. The courses are ideal for giving employees and teams a rough overview of the topic and creating a knowledge base. The free CSRD online training course“What is CSRD and ESRS and who has to implement it and when” gives you an initial insight into the importance of the topic and who is affected by it.
- Contents: Introduction to the CSRD and ESRS; CSRD basics; Who is affected; From when does the CSRD apply?
- Target group: Employees
- Type of training: Online course
- Reputation: ★★☆
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Costs: Free of charge
3. CSRD webinars
There are a variety of free CSRD webinars. From beginner presentations on how to carry out a materiality analysis or calculate Scope 1, 2 and 3 to interactive workshops on the XBRL taxonomy.
Would you like to receive regular information about relevant free webinars on the topics of CSRD and ESRS? Register now for the CSRD Compass newsletter free of charge and you will receive a selection of events directly in your mailbox.
- Contents: Divers; CSRD; ESRS; materiality analysis; GHG emissions; XBRL taxonomy; ...
- Target group: Divers
- Type of training: Online webinars
- Reputation: Varies depending on the provider
- Duration: 30 minutes to 4 hours
- Costs: Free of charge
CSRD training courses subject to a charge
4. EBS University
The renowned EBS University today consists of three schools: the EBS Business School, the EBS Law School and the EBS Executive School. ESB Darum combines research, teaching, academic excellence and practical relevance in a unique way.
The CSRD course ‘Sustainability Reporting’ teaches in 14 modules how companies can fulfill the complex CSRD reporting requirements in reporting, integrate them into strategies and management and use them for business success. The lecturers are experts, some of whom have worked on the reporting standards at EFRAG or in politics, or come from the field and lead the ESG teams in large German corporations.
- Contents: Sustainable strategy; Sustainability reporting; Double materiality; CSRD & ESRS; CSRD implementation
- Target group: Sustainability officers; managers; CSR consultants; auditors; ESG analysts
- Type of training: Hybrid. Participation is possible on site in Oestrich-Winkel, but also via Zoom
- Reputation: ★★★
- Duration: 8 days (2 blocks of 4 days each)
- Cost: 5,800 euros including seminar documents, lunch and refreshments during breaks
5. TÜV Süd Academy
TÜV SÜD Academy is one of the top providers of vocational training and further education in the German-speaking world. The academy covers a wide range of topics from management to technology to health and offers over 600 different seminar topics.
The seminar ‘Sustainability reporting according to CSRD – basic seminar‘ covers the requirements that CSRD places on future sustainability reporting and which companies are affected. The implementation of a materiality analysis (incl. stakeholder analysis) is also discussed and recommendations on structures, processes and tools are given.
- Contents: Introduction CSRD; Structure ESRS; Materiality analysis; Evaluation of IROs; Structures & tools
- Target group: Sustainability officers; managers
- Type of training: Presence (at various locations) or online
- Reputation: ★★☆
- Duration: 2 days
- Cost: 1,305 euros (plus VAT)
6. ACCOVALIST Institute
The ACCOVALIST Institute (ACcounting COnsolidation VAluation SpeciaLIST) is a seminar provider with many years of know-how and practical experience in the areas of accounting and finance. A look at the requirements and problems that arise in real day-to-day business is an important part of the seminar content.
The extra-occupational certificate program ‘Certified Sustainability Reporting Specialist (CSRS)‘ is aimed at specialists and managers, auditors and consultants. The program is designed to prepare participants in a structured and targeted manner for the sustainability reporting of the future (CSRD, ESRS*, Taxonomy Regulation, ESEF).
- Contents: CSRD; EU taxonomy; ESRS & ESEF Regulation; deep dives into ESRS topics (environmental, social, governance)
- Target group: Sustainability officers; managers; CSR consultants; auditors
- Type of training: Mix of self-study and attendance week
- Reputation: ★★★
- Duration: Self-study approx. 60 hours + 5 days in attendance (near Stuttgart or Bern)
- Costs: 4'490 Euro (plus VAT)
7. Haufe Academy
The Haufe Academy is a leading provider of training and further education in German-speaking countries. Every year, around 500,000 specialists and managers complete a training course offered by Haufe in around 2,300 different qualification topics.
The training package ‘Sustainability reporting – a guide to efficient implementation’.
- Contents: ESRS; materiality analysis; sustainability management; reporting and auditing; sustainable finance; supply chain management
- Target group: sustainability officers; managers (CFO); controllers
- Type of training: Online seminar
- Reputation: ★★☆
- Duration: 3 days (6 x 4 hours)
- Costs: 2,400 euros (plus VAT)
8. XU sustainable
XU sustainable’s learning experience platform offers scalable and sustainable (further) education solutions that enable companies and their employees as well as individuals to grow exponentially beyond themselves.
XU enables individual learning on-demand and offers 290 courses, 10 master classes, 4 certificate programs and 1 nano degree. These include a special master class on sustainability reporting and CSRD.
- Contents: CSRD disclosures; double materiality; ESRS; reporting process
- Target group: Managers, sustainability officers; employees; NGOs and consumers
- Type of training: Online
- Reputation: ★★☆
- Duration: 7-9 hours
- Cost: 278 euros (plus VAT) for an annual license
9. IHK Berlin
The Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) promotes Berlin as a business location and is committed to creating good conditions for Berlin companies. It supports local companies with a wide range of services, such as information events, without becoming a competitor for our members.
The IHK Online Sprint ‘Sustainability Reporting‘ answers key questions on the topic of sustainability reporting and CSRD.
- Contents: Reporting basics; frameworks & anchoring in the company; reporting
- Target group: Managers, sustainability officers; employees; NGOs and consumers
- Type of training: Online training
- Reputation: ★★☆
- Duration: 6 hours
- Cost: 289 Euro
10. IDW Academy
The Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer in Deutschland e.V. (IDW) is a registered association that promotes and supports the specialist areas of auditors and the further development of the profession. To this end, the IDW offers training and further education and promotes the interests of auditors.
In cooperation with the Swiss professional association EXPERTsuisse, the IDW Academy has been offering the Sustainability Auditor (IDW) qualification course since 2023. The aim of the course is to impart theoretical and practical skills for auditing sustainability reports.
- Contents: Fundamentals; regulatory environment; impact of the CSRD; CSRD; EU taxonomy; ESRS; supply chain law; data procurement; national and international auditing standards
- Target group: Auditors
- Type of training: Hybrid format. Online and face-to-face (in Munich, NRW & Zurich)
- Reputation: ★★★
- Duration: 10 days (2 modules, each with 10 x 4 hours online + 1 x classroom course)
- Costs: € 4,399 plus € 500 examination fee (plus VAT)
11. GREEN.WORKS Academy
The GREEN.WORKS Academy is an initiative of dfv Mediengruppe, one of the leading media companies in the business environment. The aim is to support companies in their green transformation and to impart the necessary specialist knowledge via masterclasses, digital workshops and training courses to ensure effective climate protection and sustainable business practices.
In the digital coaching “CSRD & ESRS Compact”, you will learn in four sessions what is important when implementing the European sustainability reporting standards. The knowledge transfer is supplemented by exercises, exchange of experience and examples.
- Contents: Materiality analysis; Climate reporting (ESRS E1); Social reporting (ESRS S1-S4); Other elements of CSRD reporting
- Target group: Sustainability officers
- Type of training: Online coaching
- Reputation: ★★☆
- Duration: 2 days (4 sessions of 4 hours each)
- Costs: 999 € (plus VAT)
CSRD training: A good investment
Alongside artificial intelligence, sustainability reporting is currently THE megatopic of business in Europe. Participating in CSRD training is definitely a good investment in the future of your company and is a small but important step towards preserving our livelihoods. In France, the CSRD has already been transposed into local law. Companies in Germany also face fines and managers may face imprisonment if the ESRS requirements are not implemented correctly.
Investing in education and training on CSRD is definitely worthwhile, and not just to avoid fines. Organizations that embed sustainability as part of their DNA and integrate it into their corporate strategy will benefit in the long term and have a good chance of outperforming their competitors.
