Transparency as Prerequisite for Credible ESG Reporting: Start of the Application Phase for the ESG Transparency Award 2026
Bonn, March 24, 2026: The EUDP Group today announced the official start of the application phase for the ESG Transparency Award 2026. Public and private organisations of all sizes, industries or reporting obligations that offer goods and/or services in Europe are invited to submit their sustainability reports until September 30, 2026. The European award assesses the quality and transparency of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) reporting and honours those organisations that assume responsibility and strengthen trust and future viability in a credible manner via their ESG reporting.
ESG reporting in Europe is currently undergoing a phase of strategic maturation as well as the profound integration into business practices including measurable performance. The significant transformation phase of the European regulatory ESG framework reached a provisional conclusion with the Omnibus I amendments entering into force on March 18, 2026. These amendments aim to simplify sustainability reporting and corporate due diligence requirements and reduce administrative burdens.
After the thresholds for mandatory reporting have been raised and the number of companies obliged to report has been reduced, discussion about their impact on transparency, comparability and the strategic value of sustainability information in corporate decision-making continue to linger within the ESG community. By consistently integrating ESG into business processes and continuously developing ESG reporting, however, organisations are able to present themselves to their stakeholders in a trustworthy and transparent way. The objective assessment of ESG reporting as well as the classification into a sector benchmark enable investors, business partners and current and future employees to make informed decisions about the respective company.
The foundation of the ESG Transparency Award is the ESG Transparency Evaluation Standard, the rating model developed by the EUPD Group for objective assessment of the transparency, traceability and structural quality of ESG reporting. The Standard integrates key European and international frameworks such as CSRD, ESRS, GRI, UN Global Compact and SDGs, as well as other recognised guidelines and best practices. It comprises over 350 weighted criteria across five evaluation clusters (Transparency, Environmental, Social, Governance and Regulatory Landscape). The ESG Transparency Evaluation Standard is reviewed and updated annually based on current regulatory developments, scientific insights and market-relevant best practices. The ESG Transparency Committee (ESG TC), the independent group of ESG professionals from across Europe, whose companies have been recognised with the ESG Transparency Award for outstanding quality and transparency in their ESG and sustainability reporting, is also involved in this review, incorporating the perspective of reporting practice into the standard’s development. Beyond this contribution, members of the ESG TC provide input into the sound interpretation, assessment and development of the European ESG regulatory framework, as demonstrated by the recently published discussion paper on the Omnibus I amendments.
“Transparency is an indicator of credible sustainability”, said Lou Kaiser, Head of ESG at the EUPD Group. “A sustainability report should not only show what a company aims to achieve, but also make progress measurable, identify challenges and clearly demonstrate actual responsibilities taken. It is precisely this quality of ESG reporting that the ESG Transparency Award makes visible.”
On November 24, 2026, the ESG Transparency Award will be presented to Leading Companies during the ESG Summit as part of the European Sustainability Week. As in previous years, the award ceremony will take place at the Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel & Spa on the Petersberg near Bonn, Germany.
For more information about the ESG Transparency Award 2026, the evaluation standard and the application process, please click here.
About the ESG Transparency Award
The ESG Transparency Award honours European organisations that have already anchored forward-looking sustainability concepts in their company and communicate these transparently in the form of a sustainability report. These pioneers serve as role models because they change the world and prove that profitability and sustainability are not opposites, but successful strategies for a future worth living. The EUPD Group has developed the ESG Transparency Evaluation Standard to objectively assess transparency, accountability and structural quality of ESG reporting. It draws on the most relevant European and international guidelines of sustainability reporting and serves as the methodical basis of the ESG Transparency Award.
https://esg-transparency-award.de/en/home-english
About the European Sustainability Week
The European Sustainability Week, organised by the EUPD Group, provides a unique platform to discuss the latest national and international sustainability developments with industry pioneers, expert councils and committees. The ESG Summit 2026 offers participants the opportunity to expand their knowledge, make valuable contacts and learn from industry leaders.
https://european-sustainability-week.com
About the EUPD Group
The EUPD Group is an internationally active market research and certification company specialising in the area of sustainability. Since its foundation in 2000, the company has provided primary data-driven analysis, certification and publication services to support companies in developing and implementing successful business strategies.The company’s areas of focus include ESG, renewable energy and corporate health as well as social sustainability. The EUPD Group aims to enhance market transparency, provide clear orientation and support companies in maintaining and strengthening their competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global environment.
Press Contacts:
Julia Lünnemann | International Communication and Event Manager | EUPD Group | j.luennemann[at]eupd-research.com
Katja Werner | Corporate Communications Manager | EUPD Group | k.werner[at]eupd-research.com