This free ESG report template walks you through every section of a sustainability report, with guidance on what to include and which reporting standards apply. Fill in your text and metrics, then build a clean report you can print, save as PDF or edit further in Word.
ESG report template
Work through the sections below, add your key metrics, then build a formatted report you can print, save as PDF or open in Word. Your text stays in your browser and is not sent anywhere.
Report details
Key ESG metrics
Leave a box empty if a metric does not apply. Filled metrics appear as a table in your report.
1. Executive summary
A one page overview of the year: headline performance, key achievements, main risks and what comes next. Write this section last.
2. ESG strategy and governance of sustainability
Explain why ESG matters to the business, who is responsible at board and management level, and how sustainability links to strategy and pay. Relevant standards: GRI 2, ESRS 2, ISSB S1.
3. Materiality assessment
List the topics that matter most and explain how you chose them, including stakeholder input. Under the EU CSRD this is a double materiality assessment covering impact and financial materiality. Relevant standards: GRI 3, ESRS 1.
4. Environmental performance
Report greenhouse gas emissions by scope, energy use, water, waste and impacts on biodiversity, with comparisons to the previous year. Relevant standards: GRI 302 to 306, ESRS E1 to E5.
5. Social performance
Cover your workforce (headcount, diversity, pay gap, health and safety, training), human rights in the supply chain and community impact. Relevant standards: GRI 401 to 413, ESRS S1 to S4.
6. Governance
Describe board composition and independence, ethics and anti corruption policies, whistleblowing, data protection and political engagement. Relevant standards: GRI 205 and 206, ESRS G1.
7. Climate and ESG risks and opportunities
Summarise physical and transition risks, how they are managed, and any opportunities such as new low carbon products. Relevant standards: ISSB S2, TCFD recommendations.
8. Targets and KPIs
List measurable targets with a baseline year, target year and progress. Science based targets are the reference for emissions.
9. Methodology and data quality
State the reporting period and boundary, standards followed, emission factor sources, estimates used and whether any data was externally assured.
10. Future commitments
Explain priorities for next year and how readers can give feedback.
What an ESG report should include
A good ESG report explains how an organisation manages its environmental, social and governance impacts, backed by data. Most reports follow the same structure: an executive summary, strategy and governance, a materiality assessment, performance for each pillar, risks and opportunities, targets, and a methodology note. The template above follows this order so it works with GRI, the EU CSRD and ESRS, and ISSB standards.
Tips for writing a credible report
Report bad news as well as good, because balanced reporting builds trust. Always give a baseline year and compare with the previous year. Explain your boundary, such as which sites and companies are included, and name the emission factors you used. Keep claims specific and measurable, as vague statements like eco friendly can be treated as greenwashing under consumer protection rules in the UK and EU.
Which framework should I use?
GRI Standards suit most organisations reporting impacts to a broad audience. Large companies in the EU fall under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and must use the ESRS. ISSB standards (IFRS S1 and S2), which build on TCFD, focus on information for investors and are being adopted in a growing number of countries. Small businesses often start with a simple GRI referenced report like this one.
Need numbers for the environmental section? Use our free carbon accounting calculator for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and the ESG score calculator to find your priority areas.
Frequently asked questions
Is this ESG report template free?
Yes. It is free to use with no sign up, and your text never leaves your browser.
How do I save my report as a PDF?
Press Print or save as PDF and choose Save as PDF as the printer. Only the finished report is printed, not the form.
Can I edit the report in Word or Google Docs?
Yes. Download for Word creates a document you can open in Microsoft Word, and you can then upload it to Google Docs to keep editing.
Is my work saved if I close the page?
No. For privacy nothing is stored, so copy your text or download the report before closing the page.
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