Assurance and Measurement in a Sustainable World: A Conversation

Sustainability reporting is evolving rapidly, with organizations adapting governance structures to meet increasing regulatory demands. The discussion explores the evolution of ESG assurance, with experts debating mandatory vs. voluntary reporting, regulatory frameworks, and the growing demand for sustainability disclosures. Europe leads with stringent CSRD requirements, while the U.S. is still developing its approach. Experts foresee accounting firms dominating assurance but note competition from consulting firms. Challenges include costs, subject matter expertise, standardization, materiality assessment, integrated reporting feasibility, and balancing shareholder vs. stakeholder priorities, making the path forward bumpy but inevitable.