How to get started with VSME reporting

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Learn how to easily reuse your existing data for your VSME reporting. Read our article on how to reuse ESRS Data for your VSME Reporting.

In the following, you’ll learn how to collect data in the VSME module and prepare your report step by step.

Launchpad

In the VSME module, we will guide you through the various steps to your sustainability report with the help of our launchpad. In the rest of this article, we will introduce you to these steps. Here you can also see how the VSME module is structured within the EQS Sustainability Cockpit:

Determining the reporting boundaries

A key challenge before starting the reporting process is ensuring that all relevant data can be collected, analyzed, and reported consistently across the Group, including from all entities such as subsidiaries, business units, or locations.

To do this, the reporting company must define the scope of reporting and decide whether to prepare a consolidated or an individual report. You can read here how to make this decision and what impact this has in our software. We support you by setting up your organizational structure, assigning responsible colleagues, creating common definitions, and setting up approval workflows. This way, all data from each necessary stakeholder can be collected in a consistent manner at the touch of a button. 

Step 1: Selecting the disclosure requirements

The first step in the reporting process is determining the scope of your report, i.e., which disclosure requirements (DRs) and data points (DPs) should be included. This should be based on the "if applicable" principle, which means that disclosure is required if the sustainability topic is relevant to your organization. If a topic is deemed not applicable, you can exclude those elements. 

Once you have completed this step, you can close it and proceed to the next step. You can reopen it at any time, but note that making changes to the (de)activation of disclosure requirements later may result in data loss for previously included requirements.

Step 2: Preparation of the data collection

After confirming the scope of your report, you can prepare the data collection. Once you begin this step, you will see all the disclosure requirements (e.g., B1, B2, C1, etc.) and data points selected in Step 1, categorized into four groups: General Disclosures, Environmental, Social, and Governance.

In this step, you can:

• Assign entire disclosure requirements to a colleague.

• Select a data point for "manual" data collection.

• Select a data point for "aggregated" data collection.

What do "manual" and "aggregated" data collection mean?

Manual data collection means you can either (1) answer a data point yourself or forward it to a colleague, or (2) collaborate with experts within the company.

• Example: B1 24e "What is your undertaking's legal form?", where one person at the group level can typically provide the answer.

• Example: C3 55 "If you operate in high climate impact sectors and have adopted a transition plan for climate change mitigation, please provide information about it." This might require input from multiple colleagues.

Aggregated data collection sends a data point to multiple entities (e.g., all subsidiaries or locations). The collected responses are then aggregated automatically.

• Example: B6 35 "Please disclose your total water withdrawal." Data from all entities is collected and summed up.

Clicking on "Aggregate" allows selection of different consolidation circles, ensuring the right data is sent to the appropriate level within the organization.

For each data point, you can add background information via the pencil icon, providing additional context for respondents.

Once all disclosure requirements and data points have been reviewed and the data collection method selected, click "Complete Step" to proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Data collection

Once the setup is complete, you can launch the data collection by setting a due date and drafting a message to recipients. Email notifications are sent to all assigned colleagues, who then submit their responses.

Throughout the process, marking data points as "completed" ensures you can track progress. The filter function in the table allows you to quickly identify unanswered data points.

Step 4: Reporting

Once all data points have been marked as "Completed", you can finalize Step 3: Data Collection and start creating the report. This step can begin even if some data points are still incomplete.

You will now see a table with all disclosure requirements, where you can create your respective report paragraphs. To assist you, the EQS Sustainability Cockpit provides guidance, checklists, and AI-powered support to generate draft report sections.

Additionally, you can upload relevant documents for auditing purposes.

Sustainability Profile

Once your report is ready, you can also share your key ESG data externally via the Sustainability Profile. This feature enables you to create a public profile with selected sustainability information, which can be shared with investors, business partners, or other stakeholders. The profile can be embedded on your company website or shared via a public link. Additionally, stakeholders have the option to download full reports or export key sustainability metrics for further analysis.