Denmark at the forefront of ESG and innovation

Copenhagen Changery recently contributed to the launch of ESG Reporting for Higher Education, 2nd edition, hosted by Djøf (Djøf Forlag). At the event, our Senior Consultant Christine Bang Kragelund joined authors and experts on stage to discuss how Denmark’s upcoming EU Presidency represents a unique opportunity to take the lead on sustainability and innovation.

 The debate on simplifying corporate sustainability reporting should not be mistaken as a retreat from the sustainability agenda. The CSRD was never an end in itself, but a means to enhance transparency, comparability, and ultimately channel capital towards sustainable business models. Companies must elevate sustainability to a strategic concern, embedded in core operations rather than confined to compliance functions.

— Christine Bang Kragelund, ESG & Sustainability Senior Consultant at Copenhagen Changery

As part of the new publication, we had the opportunity to contribute the data analysis for Chapter 11 Companies’ first experiences with ESG reporting under CSRD and ESRS. The analysis, prepared by Christine Bang Kragelund, Amanda Koefoed Simonsen and Peter Lewis Bonnén, examines the first annual reports from large Danish and European companies. It highlights what businesses consider most important in their CSRD work and provides early insights into how they are approaching the new reporting requirements.

The key message from the discussion was clear:

Even though fewer companies will be subject to reporting requirements, ESG data and insights from frontrunners remain invaluable. Physical risks and societal responsibility are not disappearing, ESG data and initiatives must continue to drive innovation, resilience, and strategic competitiveness.

We are proud that our work not only supports companies’ strategic efforts but also contributes to education and capacity-building. ESG Reporting for Higher Education ensures that lessons from practice are directly connected to learning, creating a stronger foundation for both corporate decision-making and academic development.