The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), part of the IFRS Foundation, has announced a series of initiatives to streamline sustainability reporting requirements. These efforts focus on the disclosure of corporate climate transition plans and the measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the value chain, aligning with the GHG Protocol standards. 

As part of its new two-year work plan, the ISSB will take over the Transition Task Force disclosure framework and has signed an agreement with the GHG Protocol to ensure compatibility between their GHG reporting standards. This initiative aims to provide a consistent global baseline for sustainability reporting, addressing the complexity of multiple reporting standards. 

Launched at COP26 in November 2021, the ISSB was created to develop IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, driven by the need for consistent understanding of sustainability risks and opportunities on companies’ prospects. The ISSB has already consolidated several key organizations, including the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB), the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). 

The ISSB’s new work plan prioritizes the connectivity between IFRS sustainability and financial disclosure standards, as well as interoperability with other sustainability standards. This includes supporting the implementation of IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 reporting standards, enhancing SASB standards, and engaging with stakeholders. 

Amanda Blanc, Group CEO of Aviva Group and Transition Plan Taskforce Co-Chair, stated, “Companies developing and disclosing transition plans need clear and consistent guidance. Today’s announcement that the ISSB will use the resources we developed in the Transition Plan Taskforce is brilliant news and an important step towards greater consistency and clarity.” 

The GHG Protocol provides standardized frameworks for measuring and managing GHG emissions. The new agreement with the IFRS Foundation allows for governance arrangements for ISSB to engage in updates and decisions related to GHG Protocol standards, ensuring global standardization of GHG reporting. 

Sources: 

https://www.esgtoday.com/issb-moves-to-standardize-reporting-on-climate-transition-plans-ghg-emissions/ 

https://www.edie.net/issb-seeks-to-ease-sustainability-reporting-burdens-with-new-standards-alignment-pledges/