.jpg)
CSR reporting, which is also known as sustainability reporting, has been a common practice for some time now. However, with the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), it has become a mandatory task for many companies based in the European Union. Considering the number of reporting businesses out there, a good CSR report design isn’t a luxury - it is a necessity. Just because you have to structure your report according to certain standards, it doesn't mean your report should be boring. This article provides some excellent examples of CSR reports to inspire you for the year 2025.
What is CSR reporting?
Before jumping in, let's take a step back to understand what CSR reporting is. CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility, and it refers to a company's willingness to take responsibility for the social and environmental impacts of its operations. The ultimate goal is to promote sustainable and ethical business practices that prioritise the well-being of stakeholders, including employees, customers, communities, and the environment. These reports are usually published on an annual basis and aim to foster transparency and accountability.
What is the difference between ESG and CSR reports?
You may have also heard of an ESG report. Although the terms CSR and ESG are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between them. Both are forms of sustainability reporting, but the main difference is in metrics. An ESG report aims to measure the efforts stated in CSR reports and show where the company is in its sustainable journey. ESG is an extension of CSR.
Why is CSRD important for CSR reporting?
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a framework that was recently established by the European Union (EU) to standardise and enhance the disclosure of sustainability information by companies. The CSRD aims to expand the scope of previous directives and improve the overall quality of sustainability reporting.
It is important to note that there is a difference between CSR and CSRD. A CSR report refers to the documents or output that outline a company’s activities and performance, while the CSRD is a framework that provides guidelines for what to include within these CSR reports. While CSR initiatives are usually voluntary, compliance with CSRD is mandatory. Companies are required to disclose sustainability-related information following European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) to promote comparability.
Does CSRD apply to your company? Start planning your CSR report now!
According to a study by KPMG, 96% of the top 250 companies in the world follow some form of sustainability reporting. This indicates that, as your business grows, you have to become more accountable for your company's sustainable efforts. The implementation of the CSRD in the European Union (EU) has pushed many companies into the direction of reporting on sustainability much sooner than expected. From this year onwards, these companies are expected to fully comply with the CSRD, and as a result, they should currently be preparing their report for the upcoming year. Your company may also need to do the same. Therefore, you should not underestimate the value of a well-designed CSR report and take action now. We will inspire you with several examples of good CSR report design and what makes them great.
Examples of great CSR reports (and what makes them good)
When searching for CSR reports in Google, you will find plenty. What you will find, however, is that most of these reports are still in PDF and actual engaging CSR reports are hard to come by. We believe that interactivity is the key to reader engagement. To demonstrate, we provide you with several examples of great recent CSR reports and will explain what makes them pleasurable to read.
BMW Group - Sustainability strategy up to 2030
The BMW Group has decided to present its sustainability strategy for the coming years in a digital slide publication. Sliding from left to right is intuitive for any reader - online or offline. This type of navigation guides the viewer through the content in a linear way, ensuring that the story is told in the right order. In addition, the report is easy on the eyes thanks to the incorporation of high-quality photography that matches the message. Alongside the images, the descriptions are short and to the point, making it more inviting to read.
Meta - Sustainability Report 2023
Meta's sustainability report for 2023 has a very clean and sleek design. While not the most innovative form of CSR report design, its clean design is very effective and easy on the eyes. As one of the top-performing companies in the world, extensive reporting is a given. Meta has made a smart choice to separate its content, effectively creating a digital "cover" for the actual report, which is (yet again) in PDF format. The reason why this is effective is that readers will quickly scan topics and conclude whether this report contains information that is relevant to them. Those who want more in-depth information can refer to the full report with the click of a button. This is a great example if you want to go for a clean and minimal design, while also providing the full scope of your CSR report.
ROC Amsterdam - CSR strategy up to 2026
This interactive CSR report by ROC Amsterdam takes the reader on a journey through their strategy up to 2026. When we say 'journey', we mean it literally. This publication is an excellent example of why interactive content works so well in capturing the reader's attention. With a plethora of visuals, interactive elements and animations, the reader is invited to engage with the content. With linear navigation from destination A to B, the user is guided through the story in a logical order. Who said CSR reports needed to be boring?
Tony Chocolonely - Annual FAIR Report 2021/2022
For fair trade companies such as Tony's Chocolonely, CSR reporting is a given. Their report for 2021 - 2022 showcases efforts in sustainable operations and social responsibilities in style. The report is unmistakably Tony Chocolonely's thanks to the use of their iconic fonts and brand colours. Graphs, charts and other statistics are visualised in colourful infographics accompanied by dynamic elements to draw attention. Although a serious topic, Tony Chocolonely perfectly demonstrates that CSR reporting can be playful.
Albert Heijn - Sustainability Report 2023
Albert Heijn is a well-known supermarket chain that is also known for its innovative work in the food tech industry. The recently released 2023 sustainability report, highlights last year's sustainable efforts. The report features the brand's recognisable style and easy-to-use navigation. By separating the main content of the report into a separate document, the consumer can access concise information and also refer to more in-depth information as needed. Although containing lots of data up to several layers deep, the design feels lightweight and user-friendly.
Girls Who Code - Annual Report 2022
Girls Who Code published an interactive annual report in 2022 that combines cleanliness with playful elements. Presenting the report as a web page that is part of the main website, makes it easy for readers to find. Important information is emphasised by revealing it through scroll animations. Lastly, data is visualised in colourful rand colours without excessive motion. Overall the report reads comfortably and manages to find a balance between professionalism and playfulness.
What will your CSR report for 2024 look like?
Now that you are inspired, how will you design your 2024 CSR report? There’s no need to figure it out alone - Maglr can help. Whether you prefer to use templates, design freely or require help from our in-house design team, we can offer you the needed support to make your CSR report a success. Request a demonstration or free trial today.
Want to see more examples of great CSR reports? Be sure to check out CSR reports created by our clients and our own in-house design team.
