Leonardo da Vinci was the master of combining the principles of both art and science — a skill crucial to today’s sustainability reporting. Sadly, he is not available to help you with this year’s report, so we’ve created this list of best practices, drawing inspiration from both artists and scientists, to help. In it, we will address the challenges of ESG and sustainability reporting, what to look for in a report, and the key elements of a great report and hopefully leave you inspired.

  1. Data Overload vs. Storytelling: As Albert Einstein once said, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” Many ESG reports drown in an ocean of data, failing to tell a compelling story. Finding the right balance between quantitative data and qualitative narratives is paramount.
  1. Greenwashing: A fake is a fake in art and in science. Environmentalist Greenwashing, exaggeration or the deceptive presentation of ESG efforts, is a prevalent issue. Authenticity and transparency are essential to address this problem. Just don’t ever entertain this idea.
  1. Transparency: Transparency is the cornerstone of trustworthy ESG reporting. Look for clear explanations of methodologies, data sources, and assumptions. Verify that the report addresses challenges and setbacks alongside successes.
  1. Materiality: A well-crafted report identifies and focuses on ESG issues that are material to the business and its stakeholders. The late Warren Buffett’s advice, “The most important thing to do if you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging,” applies here. Reporting on non-material issues can dilute the report’s impact.
  1. Stakeholder Engagement: An ESG report should reflect meaningful stakeholder engagement. It’s not just about ticking boxes but actively seeking input from diverse groups and responding to their concerns.
  1. Compelling Narratives: Like a great work of art, a successful ESG report weaves a compelling narrative. It tells the story of an organization’s journey towards sustainability, highlighting challenges, milestones, and future aspirations.
  1. Complexity and Jargon: “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough,” as Albert Einstein emphasized. ESG reports often use jargon that confuses rather than clarifies. A successful report should make complex information accessible to all stakeholders.
  1. Data Visualization: As scientist Carl Sagan once said, “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” Data visualization, including interactive graphs, buttons, animation and infographics bring the numbers to life, making complex data understandable.
  1. Accountability: Just as in the scientific method, accountability is paramount.A great ESG report includes specific goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes. It holds the organization accountable for its commitments
  1. Trust your partners: Any improv comedian will tell you, “Trust your scene partner.”

Whether it’s your analysts delivering the data, your legal team reviewing the information or marketing or design ready to craft it all into a report. This is not the time to keep your birds in their cages. To get the best results, let your team do what they do best.

In the realm of ESG reporting, the perfect balance between art and science is achievable. As we navigate the challenges of data overload, greenwashing, and complexity, remember the wisdom of both famous artists and scientists. By prioritizing transparency, materiality, and stakeholder engagement and crafting compelling narratives with data visualization and accountability — organizations can create great ESG reports that resonate with their stakeholders and drive positive change. Strive for this balance, and your sustainability reporting will become a work of art and a tool of science.