Non-Financial Reporting: Current Guidelines and Inherent Challenges

This chapter analyses the current guidelinesGuidelines for non-financial reportingNon-financial reporting and the challenges of implementing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects, which have become an integral part of corporate sustainability communication. It discusses international reporting frameworks, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSIFRS) and the recently developed European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRSESRSEuropean Sustainability Reporting Standards). These frameworks aim to standardise environmental, social and corporate governanceCorporate governance disclosureDisclosure practices across the European Union. The chapter traces the evolution of non-financial reporting regulations, paying particular attention to the NFRDNFRDNon-Financial Reporting Directive and CSRDCSRDCorporate Sustainability Reporting Directive directives, which introduced more stringent and comprehensive requirements for companies operating within the EU. Furthermore, the chapter examines the current state of non-financial reporting in Poland, including relevant guidelines, key research findings and emerging challenges. The necessity of adapting to new regulatory frameworks, the importance of verification and audit mechanisms, and the strategic benefits of transparency in risk management and stakeholder engagement highlight the changing priorities of sustainability reporting. The chapter also reviews the EU’s Omnibus IOmnibus I simplification package and compares Polish reporting practices with global standards, highlighting that the effective implementation of ESG frameworks is a critical element of responsible corporate governance and stakeholder communication.