Sustainability

Whitepaper insights: strategic sustainability communication

Date
30/07/2025

The requirements of the CSRD are fundamentally changing sustainability communication and leading to a standardisation of content. Many companies are currently focussing on the formal implementation of the requirements. But what happens beyond that? A recent analysis by RYZE Digital shows: More and more DAX 40 companies are publishing supplementary ESG publications that go beyond the mandatory report. They are called "Sustainability Highlights", "Impact Report" or "ESG Factbook", for example, and pursue different objectives. Our latest white paper shows for whom such formats are worthwhile, how they are used and what strategic function they can fulfil.

ESG special formats Overview

Whitepaper "Strategic sustainability communication"

Many DAX 40 companies supplement their mandatory reports with independent publications that specifically address stakeholders. Download the whitepaper now and find out more.

download

 

More relevance through target group focus

Many of the publications analysed are targeted at specific stakeholder groups - such as applicants, employees, investors or analysts. Instead of purely formal reporting, the focus here is on targeted communication: visual, understandable and to the point.

 

26 of the DAX 40 companies already use such additional formats. This is not a repetition of the sustainability report, but an extension - with specific ESG topics or detailed data. Whether a visually designed highlight report, an in-depth impact report or a data-focussed ESG factbook: The common denominator is the clear focus placed on comprehensibility, relevance and differentiation.

Digitisation as the next step

It remains striking: Many formats continue to appear exclusively as PDFs, sometimes with a high-quality design, but are often difficult to find and not very interactive. Deutsche Telekom provides a positive example. It is transferring the central content of its sustainability reporting into a digital structure with web functionality: filterable, navigable and user-friendly throughout.

 

Our recommendation: Supplementary ESG publications should be conceived as digital communication - modular, interactive and embedded in a consistent digital experience strategy. This creates real user experiences instead of static PDF collections.

CSRD benchmark 2025

CSRD, ESRS and the transition phase: How are DAX, MDAX and SDAX companies already reporting today? Download the CSRD benchmark study now free of charge.

download

Conclusion: between regulatory logic and communication opportunity

Current developments show that sustainability communication has long been about more than just complying with regulatory requirements. Supplementary publications give companies the opportunity to set their own topics, make their stance visible and put complex ESG content into an understandable, target group-orientated context.

 

Those who actively shape this space strengthen their communicative sovereignty and make it clear that sustainability is not only documented, but also explained, categorised and communicated responsibly. In a time of increasing transparency requirements, this is precisely what can make the difference.

 

This might also interest you

Sustainability

CSRD Benchmark Study 2025: Status quo in the DAX, MDAX and SDAX

 

 

The CSRD is here and many listed companies are delivering their first sustainability reports in accordance with ESRS. But where do DAX, MDAX and SDAX companies really stand? What best practices are emerging - and where is there still some catching up to do? Our latest study, the CSRD benchmark, analyses 135 reports - with clear trends, learnings and best practices.

 

 

More information
Financial Reporting

Trendmonitor 2024: the reporting trends of the DAX 40 companies

 

 

Since 2014, RYZE Digital has been analysing the annual reports of DAX companies according to various criteria and evaluating qualitatively and quantitatively which reporting trends are emerging in them. Full HTML, partial HTML or PDF? Where does image communication take place? What about sustainability reporting? Our DAX 40 2024 trend monitor provides answers.

 

 

More information
Study

Digital Corporate Communications Benchmark 2025: How digital is the communication of DAX and MDAX companies?

 

 

The Digital Corporate Communications Benchmark 2025 analyses the status quo of digital corporate communications in the DAX and MDAX - from employer branding to CSR. Sound insights, clear benchmarks and specific recommendations for action.

 

 

More information
Financial Reporting

Corporate Reporting Conference 2025: new studies, diverse insights and an outlook on the reporting of tomorrow

 

 

On 17 June 2025, the digital Corporate Reporting Conference was all about the future of financial and sustainability reporting. Two current studies by RYZE Digital were presented: the new CSRD benchmark for implementing the Sustainability Guideline and the DAX 40 2025 trend monitor. There were also insights into the reporting projects of Covestro and the Otto Group, a software demo by Workiva and plenty of inspiration for IR professionals. The recap summarises the most important findings.

 

 

More information
Financial Reporting

Trends in corporate reporting

 

 

Hard facts and figures dominate, there is no more room for image communication: this seems to have been the trend in annual reports in recent years. And the sustainability report is facing the same development thanks to CSRD. Is this the end for image issues and good stories? We say no.

 

 

More information
Digital Experience Platform

Designing digital experiences strategically: how companies are now benefiting from digital experience

 

 

What makes a good digital experience - and how do companies implement it strategically? The article with content from our Annual "Insights" provides orientation, shows key success factors and gives impulses for future-proof digital communication.
 

 

 

More information