Green Quadrant: ESG & Sustainability Assurance Services 2024
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Executive Summary
This report provides a detailed, fact-based benchmark of 14 of the most prominent ESG and sustainability assurance providers in the market. Based on the proprietary Verdantix Green Quadrant methodology, our analysis entailed two-hour live briefings, client interviews and assurance provider responses to a detailed 51-point questionnaire, covering five demonstrated capability and three momentum categories. The ESG and sustainability assurance services market has grown rapidly over the last two years, due to increasing regulation, heightened stakeholder scrutiny and concerns about greenwashing and reputational risk, as well as a broader trend towards integrated reporting. Amongst the providers featured in the Leaders’ Quadrant, five firms – Deloitte, DNV, EY, KPMG and PwC – demonstrated the most comprehensive and evolved services for ESG and sustainability assurance.
Table of contents
Summary for decision-makersThe state of the ESG and sustainability assurance services market
ESG and sustainability assurance is driven by both voluntary action and regulatory pressure
Talent shortages and limited regulatory guidance challenge the ESG assurance market
The scale and complexity of sustainability assurance is expanding, propelling investment in new technologies and specialized skills
Green Quadrant for ESG and sustainability assurance services 2024
Green Quadrant methodology
Evaluated firms and selection criteria
Evaluation criteria
Apex Companies overview
Analyst insight: Apex brings a technical lens to its sustainability assurance engagements
BDO overview
Analyst insight: BDO’s mid-market expertise makes sustainability assurance achievable for medium-sized firms
Bureau Veritas overview
Analyst insight: Bureau Veritas combines broad sustainability assurance expertise with local knowledge
DEKRA overview
Analyst insight: DEKRA draws on its TIC heritage to offer integrated sustainability assurance services
Deloitte overview
Analyst insight: Deloitte offers an integrated approach to sustainability assurance, streamlined by AI-enabled digital tools
DNV overview
Analyst insight: DNV’s sustainability assurance offering blends technical skills with sector expertise
ERM CVS overview
Analyst insight: ERM CVS offers broad and granular expertise across a wide range of sustainability assurance topics
EY overview
Analyst insight: EY leverages its investment in talent and technology to deliver a broad portfolio of integrated sustainability assurance services
Intertek overview
Analyst insight: Intertek draws on its TIC heritage and technical expertise for sustainability assurance
KPMG overview
Analyst insight: KPMG’s data and digital technology prowess underpins its approach to sustainability assurance
LRQA overview
Analyst insight: LRQA has extensive on-the-ground expertise in supply chain sustainability assurance
PwC overview
Analyst insight: PwC leverages technology alliances and cross-functional groups to deliver integrated assurance solutions
SGS overview
Analyst insight: SGS offers tailored sustainability assurance services to global clients, supported by its local expertise
UL Solutions overview
Analyst insight: UL Solutions draws on its environmental heritage to provide granular carbon emissions assurance
Table of figures
Figure 1. Key regulations mandating assurance of climate and sustainability informationFigure 2. Examples of how digital technology can add value to sustainability assurance
Figure 3. Approaches to preparing for external assurance of ESG and sustainability disclosures
Figure 4. ESG and sustainability assurance service lines
Figure 5. Demonstrated capabilities criteria for ESG and sustainability assurance
Figure 6. Momentum criteria for ESG and sustainability assurance
Figure 7. Assurance provider scores: demonstrated capabilities
Figure 8. Assurance provider scores: momentum
Figure 9. Green Quadrant for ESG and sustainability assurance services 2024
Organisations mentioned
AccountAbility, Agro Bayer Brasil, Alcoa, Apex Companies, ArcelorMittal, Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA), BDO, Bureau Veritas, CDP, Citigroup, Clean Energy Associates (CEA), C-MORE, Coca-Cola (Türkiye), DEKRA, Deloitte, denkstatt, Diginex, DNV , Dow, EcoVadis, ELEVATE, ERM CVS, European Commission, European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), European Parliament , EY, GHG Protocol, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Goodyear, IFRS Foundation, International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Intertek, Italian Competition Authority (AGCM), Jabil, Johnson & Johnson, Kingfisher, KPMG, LBA Realty, LinkedIn, LRQA, Microsoft, MiQ, Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, o9 Solutions, Pfizer, PlayerLync, Procter & Gamble, PwC, Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), Richwood Industries, S&P Global, SAI Global Assurance, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), SGS, SHEIN, Shell, SIX Swiss Exchange, Sustainable Assurance Solutions (SAS), Suzano, Tata Steel Europe, Techtronic Industries, Thyssenkrupp, Titan Cement, Trace for Good, UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF), UL Solutions, UN, US Center for Audit Quality (CAQ), US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), WorldlyAbout the authors
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