CSRD Leaders Lab
Over the past year, we have hosted the CSRD Leaders Lab—a dedicated forum for a select group of Norway’s largest companies navigating the complexities of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
About the Lab
This initiative was developed in direct response to conversations with clients who expressed a clear need for a space to openly discuss the challenges and uncertainties surrounding CSRD compliance. While many companies were making strides in sustainability, they lacked a common forum where they could exchange experiences, address shared challenges, and gain practical insights in a structured, yet collaborative setting.
The CSRD Leaders Lab was designed to fill this gap, offering companies a practical and solutions-oriented environment to explore key CSRD topics. Participants from diverse industries came together to discuss areas such as data and system integration, defining metrics and targets aligned with business strategies, transition planning, and ensuring regulatory compliance. A significant focus has also been on clarifying the roles and responsibilities of Boards and executive management in driving sustainable practices and meeting the new reporting standards. These discussions have provided companies with not only a clearer understanding of regulatory expectations but also actionable frameworks for integrating CSRD requirements into their broader organizational strategies.
What distinguishes the CSRD Leaders Lab is its highly interactive format, which prioritizes open dialogue, peer-to-peer learning, and practical problem-solving. Unlike traditional seminars or workshops, the forum encourages participants to actively share their experiences and approaches, fostering a collaborative atmosphere where companies can learn from both successes and setbacks. This experience-sharing has proven invaluable, as participants gain real-world insights from peers facing similar regulatory pressures, while also benefiting from our expert guidance on interpreting and applying CSRD requirements effectively.
We saw that Deloitte could bring value by bringing companies together to solve common challenges and reduce the total burden of CSRD while identifying strategic opportunities. Therefore, I am incredibly proud of how the CSRD Leaders Lab has brought companies together to share insights, navigate sustainability challenges and drive real progress across industries.
Anders Magnus Løken, Partner and Head of Sustainability, Deloitte
What made the CSRD Leaders Lab unique was the combination of Deloitte's genuine expertise and valuable peer-to-peer discussions. The forum offered both practical insights from other companies and clear, structured guidance from Deloitte. The arena has served as a useful calibration of where we stand in terms of reporting and actual business transformation.
Catharina Bjerke, Bærekraftsdirektør, Veidekke ASA
Through this blend of collaboration and expert input, the CSRD Leaders Lab has provided tangible value to participating companies. Many have reported a stronger understanding of how to approach CSRD compliance, improved clarity around data management and reporting structures, and a better grasp of how to align sustainability initiatives with long-term business objectives. Additionally, the forum has facilitated connections across industries, enabling companies to build networks and partnerships that extend beyond compliance to broader sustainability efforts.
Given the positive feedback and the ongoing challenges posed by evolving sustainability regulations, the CSRD Leaders Lab will continue as an ongoing forum. As companies face new developments in sustainability reporting and regulatory landscapes, this forum will remain a critical resource—helping businesses stay ahead of compliance requirements, adapt to emerging challenges, and embed sustainability more deeply into their operations.
Acknowledgements
The CSRD Leaders Lab has been a resounding success, thanks to the active participation and contributions of all attendees. The initiative provided a platform for meaningful discussions, knowledge exchange, and networking among sustainability leaders from various industries.
A special thanks goes out the following companies, who all shared their experience with various topics: AF Gruppen, Telenor, Posten Bring AS, Norsk Hydro, Kongsberg Gruppen, DNB, OKEA ASA, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Schibsted, Norske Skog, Orkla ASA, Orkla Health, Yara, Vinmonopolet, TINE and KLP.
The Leaders Lab offered a great mix of topical presentations from Deloitte's experts and engaging discussions with industry peers. Great support group for those of us struggling to tackle new ESG reporting requirements!
Magnus Young, Head of ESG Reporting, Norsk Hydro ASA
Anders Magnus Løken
