With the rise and changes of ESG regulations like the CSRD, CSDDD, EUDR, and CBAM, companies across Europe are under increasing pressure to manage, collect, and report sustainability data with the same rigor as financial data. Yet many organizations struggle to navigate the complexity and uncertainty around the ESG regulations:
- Which steps is it worth focussing on for the ESG Data Collection?
- What ESG risks are most material to us?
- How can we set up a reliable data collection system?
- Which tools should we use to ensure data quality and compliance?
At BearingPoint, we guide companies through these challenges and will show you how we are doing it within 5 steps. Here's how you can set yourself up for ESG compliance success — and where expert support can make all the difference.
A 5-Step Guide for Companies Navigating New Regulations
Step 1: Double Materiality and ESG Risk Analysis
Before collecting a single data point, companies must first understand what matters most.
A Double Materiality Assessment examines:
- How your company impacts the environment and society (impact materiality)
- How ESG factors affect your business performance and risk profile (financial materiality)
This step lays the foundation for a focused ESG strategy. At BearingPoint, we support you with tailored materiality workshops, stakeholder mapping, risk analysis, and documentation fit for audit-proof reporting.
Key questions to answer:
- What ESG topics are material to us?
- Where are our biggest risks and opportunities?
Step 2: Setting Up Your ESG Strategy and Data Collection Framework
With a clear view on material topics and risks, the next step is to translate them into action:
- Define ESG goals and KPIs aligned with regulatory standards (e.g., CSRD, SFDR, CSDDD, EUDR or CBAM)
- Establish a data collection strategy that maps internal responsibilities, external data needs, and timelines
Without a structured framework, ESG efforts quickly become fragmented.
At BearingPoint, we help organizations set up pragmatic ESG strategies and data management frameworks that are built to scale as requirements evolve.
Key questions to answer:
- Which KPIs do we need to report on?
- Who is responsible for collecting which data internally and externally?
Step 3: Prioritize ESG Data Collection Efforts
Trying to collect every piece of ESG data at once is overwhelming and inefficient.
Prioritization is key:
- Focus first on mandatory disclosure areas (e.g., GHG Scope 1-3 emissions, human rights risks, supply chain due diligence)
- Identify “quick wins” where good data is already available
- Flag “hard-to-collect” data early to build action plans
BearingPoint supports companies in building realistic roadmaps for ESG data collection, ensuring they meet upcoming deadlines without overloading internal teams.
Key questions to answer:
- Which data points are legally required now?
- Where are our biggest data gaps?
Step 4: Set Up ESG Data Collection Processes
Data collection isn't a one-off exercise — it’s an ongoing operational process.
Companies must:
- Create ESG working groups across departments (procurement, HR, operations, finance)
- Conduct a gap analysis to understand what information is missing
- Solve early-stage challenges like inconsistent data sources, missing supplier inputs, or unclear data ownership
- Overcome bottlenecks by standardizing collection templates and establishing communication criteria
Once this groundwork is laid, companies can move towards automation.
At BearingPoint, we help companies design data collection processes that deliver high-quality, audit-ready ESG data from the start.
Key questions to answer:
- How do we structure our ESG working groups?
- What are our biggest data collection challenges?
Step 5: Invest in ESG Data Quality and Tooling
When data collection is properly embedded, it’s time to focus on data quality and scalability. Poor-quality ESG data leads to compliance risks, reputational damage, and inefficiencies.
That's why BearingPoint developed the ESG Data Quality Navigator, a proprietary tool to help companies:
- Assess their data quality
- Define improvement actions
- Ensure consistent, auditable ESG reporting
Next, companies must choose the right data collection and management platform.
Depending on your needs, we advise on tool selection and integration — including specialized solutions for specific regulations such as:
- Sweep (our trusted partner for ESG data management and reporting automation)
- Specialized tools for EUDR (deforestation-free supply chains) and CBAM (carbon border adjustment mechanisms)
We match your regulatory and operational requirements with the best technology fit — ensuring that you invest wisely and stay ahead of evolving ESG expectations.
Key questions to answer:
- How do we measure and improve ESG data quality?
- Which ESG software solutions fit our company best?
Conclusion: Your Next Steps Towards ESG Compliance Excellence
Navigating ESG data collection and tooling isn’t just a compliance exercise — it’s a chance to future-proof your business, improve decision-making, and build stronger stakeholder trust.
Whether you're just starting your Double Materiality Assessment or looking to professionalize your ESG reporting with robust tooling, BearingPoint is here to support you with pragmatic, tailored solutions.
Get in touch to discuss how we can help you build a scalable ESG data collection strategy — and turn compliance into competitive advantage.
