Interactive comparison of Environmental, Social, and Governance disclosure requirements between large-scale and medium-sized companies
Listed corporations, multinationals, >500 employees
Private companies, SMEs, 50-500 employees
Mandatory
Must comply with GRI, SASB, TCFD, and IFRS sustainability standards
Annual + Quarterly updates
Voluntary/Emerging
Simplified frameworks, often industry-specific guidelines
Annual
Comprehensive
Full value chain (Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions), all subsidiaries
Complete supply chain analysis
Core Operations
Primary operations (Scope 1 and 2), limited Scope 3
Direct operations focus
Third-Party Audited
External assurance required, often by Big 4 firms
Annual external audit
Self-Certified
Internal verification, optional external review
Internal review
Extensive
Regular engagement with investors, NGOs, regulators, communities
Quarterly stakeholder meetings
Moderate
Key stakeholders: customers, employees, local community
Semi-annual updates
Significant Investment
Dedicated ESG teams, specialized software, consultants
$500K – $5M+ annually
Moderate Investment
Part-time resources, basic tools, occasional consulting
$50K – $250K annually
High Compliance Burden
EU CSRD, SEC Climate Rules, local regulations
Multiple jurisdictions
Growing Requirements
Emerging regulations, supplier requirements
Single/few jurisdictions
| Aspect | Large Companies | Medium Companies |
|---|---|---|
| Materiality Assessment | Double materiality (financial + impact) | Single materiality (financial focus) |
| Board Oversight | Dedicated ESG committee required | Integrated into existing committees |
| Climate Targets | Science-based targets (SBTi) | Internal reduction goals |
| Supply Chain Due Diligence | Full tier mapping and assessment | Tier 1 supplier focus |
| Digital Reporting | XBRL/iXBRL tagged data | PDF/Web-based reports |
| Real-time Disclosure | ESG data portals with live updates | Annual/semi-annual updates |
Managing complex global supply chains
Navigating multiple regulatory frameworks
High stakeholder expectations
Significant resource requirements
Regardless of company size, ESG disclosure requirements are converging. Medium companies should prepare now to meet tomorrow’s standards.