This report supports anti-corruption and ESG/sustainability professionals to better understand “corruption and bribery” and “political engagement” as sustainability matters in the context of the European Union (EU) Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). It considers how potentially material impacts, risks and opportunities linked to “corruption and bribery” could be identified when performing a materiality assessment in line with the ESRS.

We also reviewed the sustainability reports and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) disclosures of 190 UK FTSE listed companies to understand whether they identify anti-corruption or political engagement, or comparable terms, as material sustainability matters.

To accompany the report, a mapping exercise analysing disclosure metrics, indicators and principles relating to anti-corruption and political engagement in select voluntary ESG reporting standards, benchmark initiatives, ESG ratings and disclosure principles was conducted. The mapped disclosure metrics aim to help companies identify what information they may already be collecting and reporting as they prepare for CSRD disclosure or generally look to increase their level of transparency on corruption-related matters.