Digitally Supported CSRD and Double Materiality Assessments: Key takeaways from our latest NYC event

On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Inclus had the pleasure of convening a diverse group of professionals from the consulting, legal, and enterprise sectors at the Finnish Consulate in New York. The goal: to facilitate a timely and forward-looking dialogue on how digital solutions and collaboration can support more impactful Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) compliance and Double Materiality Assessments (DMA), relevant for companies operating in the EU area. 

The conversation reflected a broad range of perspectives and practical insights, from regulatory timelines to the strategic role of data and AI.  

Below, we share some of the key takeaways that emerged from this insightful and engaging session. 

Proposed Omnibus changes and implications 

One of the most debated topics was the CSRD Omnibus, which suggests significant updates around scope and timing: 

• Scope adjustments could exclude up to 80% of currently in-scope companies. 

• Timing revisions propose a two-year delay for waves 2 and 3, pausing regulatory obligations for many — but not stopping progress. 

The message was clear: waiting is not a strategy. As one expert warned, “Companies waiting until they come into scope will be behind where they need to be.” 

Despite proposed changes such as limited assurance and the removal of digital tagging, organizations should still focus on narrative clarity and quantitative transparency to build trust with all stakeholders. 

Business strategy first: CSRD as a financial risk tool 

Rather than approaching CSRD and DMA as compliance exercises, participants emphasized their strategic potential. Linking sustainability to financial performance and risk creates stronger internal alignment and external credibility. 

Key insights included: 

• Business strategy should guide CSRD and DMA efforts — not the other way around. 

• Aligning with frameworks like the EU Taxonomy and CSDDD creates a common language for risk and opportunity. 

• Double materiality is increasingly converging with financial materiality; CFOs must understand the ROI of sustainability efforts. 

Simplifying this communication, especially through visualizations and accessible narratives, is crucial for engaging non-sustainability stakeholders. 

Building trust through governance and documentation 

A clear theme from the discussion was the need for strong governance and well-documented processes. As sustainability reporting becomes more public and standardized, credibility hinges on cross-functional integration — not siloed efforts. 

Companies that embed sustainability across departments like finance, procurement, and legal are better positioned to manage risk, align strategy, and demonstrate value. With AI making public disclosures more searchable and comparable, early legal involvement in the DMA process was advised to ensure consistency, protect sensitive insights, and avoid misalignment between words and actions. 

Unlocking value through data and digital tools 

The conversation closed on a forward-looking note: how data, collaboration tools and AI can transform sustainability reporting from a compliance task into a strategic asset. 

Digital tools are helping organizations pinpoint material risks, align with evolving standards, and communicate more clearly with stakeholders. Beyond reporting, data is becoming essential for mapping strategy, reducing operational risk, and driving informed decision-making across the enterprise. 

Well-designed digital collaboration adds significant productivity gains and alignment through effective stakeholder engagement from IRO identification to materiality assessment. Transparency in methodology and analysis results are required in auditing and further maintenance of audit trails across assessment cycles. Finally, digital collaboration enables better alignment in understanding sustainability risks and opportunities in the context of broader enterprise risk framework. 

Looking ahead 

This event underscored that the road to meaningful sustainability reporting is not just about meeting regulations — it's about building resilient, transparent organizations. As the regulatory environment continues to evolve, so too does the opportunity to leverage digital tools, smart governance, and strategic alignment to drive long-term value. 

Inclus extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants for contributing to this vital conversation. We look forward to continuing the dialogue and advancing digital collaboration in sustainability together.

As part of this ongoing journey, we invite you to join our upcoming fireside talk webinar on May 12th, where we’ll dive deeper into the intersection of double materiality assessment and enterprise risk management. Register from the link below.