Measuring and reporting ESG performance

Teacher(s)

Roszkowska-Menkes Maria; Swaen Valérie;

Language

English

Prerequisites

None

Main themes

• Foundations of ESG Reporting – principles, objectives, and the role of reporting in corporate accountability and transparency.
• Frameworks and Standards – understanding GRI, ESRS/CSRD, IFRS, ISSB, Chinese standards.
• Materiality and Stakeholder Engagement – single vs. double materiality, stakeholder mapping, and involvement in the reporting process.
• Structure and Style of Reports – data visualization, narrative techniques, and the emotional and persuasive aspects of reporting.
• Risk and Value Chain Analysis
• Topical ESG Reporting Standards  
• Assurance and Audit Practices – from no assurance to limited and reasonable assurance, including assurance requirements under ESRS.
• Strategic and Societal Impact – how ESG reporting affects strategy, investor decisions, regulatory compliance, and public trust.
• Critical Perspectives – examining counter-accounting practices and challenges from NGOs, regulators, citizens, and rating agencies.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of this course, students will be able to: Understand and apply ESG reporting principles Navigate international ESG reporting standards  Plan and manage the reporting process, including stakeholder engagement Perform double materiality analysis and ESG performance measurement Understand assurance and audit practices of ESG reporting  Critically assess ESG reports and recommend improvements  These learning outcomes and the evaluation methods are related to the following competences of the LSM competency framework:   LSM Competency 1: Corporate citizenship (1.1 - 1.2 - 1.3) LSM Competency 2: Knowledge and reasoning (2.2 - 2.3 - 2.4) LSM Competency 3: Scientific and systematic approach (3.1 - 3.2 - 3.3 - 3.4 - 3.5) LSM Competency 5: Work effectively in an international and multicultural environment (5.1 - 5.2 - 5.3) LSM Competency 7: Project management (7.1 - 7.2)

Content

This unit explores how organizations measure, report, and communicate their sustainability performance — and why it matters. Students will discover the principles behind sustainability reporting, compare major frameworks, and learn how to turn complex data into reports. Through case studies and practical exercises, based on the core courses we will deeply examine materiality, stakeholder engagement, and value-chain risks, while addressing environmental, social, and governance topics. The course also highlights the strategic implications of reporting, assurance practices, and the critical role of external scrutiny from regulators, NGOs, and citizens. By the end, students will understand how sustainability reporting shapes corporate strategy and influences society’s trust.

Teaching methods

• Lectures
• Mooc
• Case sessions

Evaluation methods

• Written final exam for 60%
• Continuous assessment for 40%

Late submission policy: Late submissions of assignments will result in a grade deduction. Please follow the policy posted on Moodle.
Second session: In case of you did not pass the course during the first session, you will take a new individual exam. The exam will account for 100% of the total grade. The grades obtained on the continuous assessment part do not remain. The second session exam will be longer than the one of the first session to reflect its increased weight.

Online resources

https://learning.edx.org/course/course-v1:LouvainX+Louv12.2x_E+1T2025/home

Bibliography

See in Moodle

Faculty or entity

> CLSM