In today’s rapidly evolving corporate landscape, sustainability reporting isn’t just a tick-box exercise; it’s a fundamental pillar of trust, reputation and long-term value creation. As regulatory pressures intensify (think CSRD, ISSB, UK SRS, SB 253/SB 261) and stakeholder scrutiny reaches new heights, the demand for robust, credible and assured sustainability data has never been greater.

But what if you could proactively identify and address potential reporting weaknesses before they become public challenges? That’s where pre-assurance for sustainability reporting comes in – your strategic advantage in a world hungry for transparent and verified ESG information.

 

What is pre-assurance and why does it matter?

 

Imagine a rigorous dress rehearsal before opening night. Pre-assurance is exactly that for your sustainability report.  It’s an expert review of your ESG data, processes and disclosures, and an opportunity to rectify any findings, before you embark on independent, external assurance.

 

Why is this so important?

 

• Builds confidence and credibility from within: Pre-assurance helps you unearth inconsistencies, data gaps or methodological weaknesses early on. By addressing these, you build internal confidence in your reporting processes and ensure the data presented is reliable. This translates directly to external credibility with investors, regulators and customers.
• Mitigates risk and avoids costly surprises: Discovering material misstatements or significant omissions during the assurance can lead to delays and reputational damage. With changes to UK reporting on the horizon, assurance findings may increasingly inform enforcement actions or financial penalties.  Pre-assurance is an early warning system, allowing you to rectify issues while saving time, money and embarrassment down the line. 
• Streamlines the assurance process: Pre-assurance makes the subsequent external assurance process smoother and more efficient. Assurance providers can focus on validating robust data, governance and processes, rather than identifying fundamental flaws. 
• Enhances data quality and internal controls: Pre-assurance will review your data collection, management and internal controls as well as the accuracy and completeness of your data. This critical review helps strengthen your internal systems, leading to higher quality data not just for reporting, but for better internal decision-making.
• Future-proofs your reporting: With sustainability reporting standards continually emerging, pre-assurance helps you align your current practices with future requirements, ensuring you remain compliant and competitive in the long run. It’s about staying ahead of the curve, not playing catch-up.

 

Morelli Consulting: Your partner in pre-assurance excellence

 

At Morelli Consulting, we understand the intricacies of sustainability reporting and the vital role pre-assurance plays. Our team has long-standing experience in delivering comprehensive pre-assurance services, having led assurance engagements within Big 4 audit firms and for industry leaders such as Associated British Foods and Clarion Events.

We provide practical, actionable solutions that your assurance provider will not be permitted to do. 

Our approach will:

1. Conduct a deep dive data health check: We meticulously review your raw data, data collection methodologies and the integrity of your calculations, identifying any inconsistencies or areas for improvement.
2. Assess assurance/ verification framework alignment: We ensure your disclosures align with relevant sustainability assurance frameworks e.g. AA1000AS, ISAE 3000 Revised, ISSA 5000 etc, flagging any gaps or misinterpretations.
3. Evaluate internal controls and processes: We examine the robustness of your internal controls for sustainability data, recommending enhancements to strengthen governance and reduce errors.
4. Provide clear, actionable recommendations: We deliver a jargon-free report outlining our findings and providing clear, practical steps to address any identified weaknesses, preparing you for seamless external assurance.
5. Build internal capacity: Through collaborative engagement and knowledge sharing, we support your teams to prepare for assurance and build their understanding of the requirements and best practice, developing a culture of data quality and accountability.

 

With Morelli Consulting, you gain a trusted partner committed to elevating your sustainability reporting from a compliance exercise to a powerful tool for strategic advantage. Don’t wait for issues to surface – get pre-assured and report with confidence.

“Morelli’s expertise and attention to detail were invaluable in supporting Clarion’s pre-assurance work. They took a deep dive into our event data collection processes and provided clear, actionable recommendations that will help us strengthen our approach and align with AA1000 assurance standards. Their guidance has set us up for success as we continue to enhance our sustainability reporting.”

Ellen Osborne, ESG Manager, Clarion Events