Navigating competitive sustainability reporting: Benchmarking insights from 140 Swedish CSRD/ESRS reports

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the underlying European Sustainability Reporting Standard (ESRS) represent a fundamental shift in how European companies report on sustainability matters. 

Swedish companies reached a milestone in 2025 with the first year of formal CSRD reporting – one year delayed compared to many other EU countries. This has enabled Swedish companies to learn from the first year reporters in other countries while at the same time ensuring structured and timely implementation of the reporting requirements. 

At the same time, many of the large listed Swedish companies have a history of sustainability reporting and assurance in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This means that the step to formal CSRD reporting was not too far for some of the companies. 

In parallel with the Swedish companies’ implementation of reporting requirements, simplifications are ongoing. Extended phase-in requirements (via the “quick fix” delegated act), changes to companies in scope, and the revision of ESRS and the reporting requirements have either been implemented or will soon be in force.