| Abstract [eng] |
This thesis analyses the impact of the application of the ESRS double materiality principle on the quality of sustainability reports of energy sector companies listed on Baltic stock exchanges. The research examines four Lithuanian energy sector companies – AB “Ignitis Grupė”, AB “KN Energies”, AB “Amber Grid”, and AB “LITGRID” – by comparing their 2023 and 2024 sustainability reports. The aim of the study is to evaluate how the transition from previously applied materiality assessment practices based on GRI, SASB, and TCFD principles to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) affected the quality of sustainability disclosures. The thesis analyses the materiality assessment process, the identification of material and non-material topics, the disclosure of environmental and social impacts, the integration of impacts, risks, and opportunities (IROs), as well as the presentation of key performance indicators (KPIs), targets, and progress. The results of the study indicate that the application of the double materiality principle led to sustainability reports becoming clearer, more systematic, and more closely linked to strategic decision-making and material sustainability topics, while disclosures became more standardized and comparable across companies. The study also found that ESRS requirements contributed to a more accurate identification of material topics, reduced the risk of selective disclosure, and encouraged more detailed assessment of impacts, risks, and opportunities. Based on the research findings, a sustainability information quality assessment methodology and checklist were developed, which may be applied by energy sector companies, auditors, consultants, and other stakeholders when evaluating the quality of sustainability reports and the maturity of double materiality implementation. |
