From Sustainability Reporting Template To Reporting Software – It’s Time to Upgrade
As we know, sustainability reporting (ESG reporting) is no longer just the responsibility of large publicly listed companies. Today, it has become both a business-driven requirement and a source of competitive advantage for many organizations and their suppliers. In fact, under new EU directives such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), sustainability reporting is now a legal obligation for thousands of companies.
While many businesses still start with a sustainability reporting template or Excel sheet with basic automations, this approach quickly shows its limits. To deliver up-to-date, compliant, and transparent reports—and to free up time to actually build a more sustainable business—you need a dedicated sustainability reporting system, a software solution specifically built for ESG reporting. On average, companies that switch from Excel to a reporting platform save up to 80% of the time they previously spent on reporting.
When done right, ESG reporting transforms sustainability from a compliance burden into a strategic advantage. Reporting should never be the end goal—creating more responsible businesses is. That’s why keeping your reporting process as simple, efficient, and scalable as possible is essential. This is where modern ESG reporting software comes in.
A Template or Excel Sheet for sustainability Reporting – Quick Start, But Not a Long-Term Solution
Many companies start with Excel because it seems fast and easy. And while it is familiar, editable, and already available with most Office 365 packages, it quickly reaches its limits.
Benefits of Using Excel Template:
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Familiar tool: No onboarding needed, everyone knows how to use it.
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Flexible: Easy to customize templates and adjust formatting.
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Cost-effective: No upfront system investment.
Drawbacks of Excel Templates:
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High risk of errors: Manual inputs and formulas are prone to mistakes.
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Fragmented data: No centralised dashboard or single source of truth. The more you advance, the more complex it gets.
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No real-time data: Reports are typically done once a year.
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Poor analytics: Trend tracking and KPIs require a lot of manual work.
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Not CSRD-compliant by default: Requires constant manual updates.
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Time-consuming: Everything has to be done manually.
In fact, we’ve seen European companies where 4–5 employees work full-time managing multiple Excel versions for reporting. That’s a costly use of time and resources.
Why Switch to an Sustainability Reporting Software?
As your ESG reporting becomes more complex and regulated, Excel simply won’t cut it. A proper reporting platform offers significant advantages. Let´s go through the most important ones.
Key Benefits of an Sustainability Reporting Tool:
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Built-in CSRD compliance: Aligned with directives and automatically updated.
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Real-time tracking: Live dashboards and automated updates.
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Automated data collection: Less manual work, fewer errors.
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Visual dashboards: Easy to interpret and share with stakeholders. (ESG Reporting Dashboard)
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Better data security: No risk of losing critical Excel files.
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Scalable: Works for SMEs and large, international organisations.
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All files in one place: Centralised and accessible ESG documentation.
Potential Challenge: Internal Resistance
In almost every organization, there’s someone who views sustainability reporting as just another cost. And it’s true — when done with Excel sheets and templates, reporting can feel like a heavy expense in both time and resources.
But with a dedicated sustainability reporting system, the story changes: reporting becomes a strategic advantage and an integral part of your company’s growth strategy.
Onboarding is fast: Most companies are fully set up in just 1–2 days.
Easy to learn: Users typically master the system in 2–3 hours.
Proven ROI: Companies switching from Excel save up to 80% of reporting time, equivalent to thousands of euros in labor savings each month.
The real challenge isn’t the software – it’s the internal decision-making process. Once approved, most teams quickly realize that the new system is not just easier than Excel, but also a clear step forward in meeting CSRD compliance and strengthening the company’s competitive edge.
Excel Template vs. ESG Reporting System – Comparison Table
| Feature | Excel Template | ESG Reporting System |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Moderate | Very Easy |
| Risk of Errors | High (manual inputs) | Low (built-in validation) |
| CSRD Compliance | Manual | Built-in |
| Real-time Data | No | Yes |
| Scalability | Weak | Excellent |
| Time Spent on Reporting | High | Low |
| Analytics & Trend Tracking | Limited | Comprehensive |
| Data Security | Weak | Strong |
| Stakeholder Communication | Difficult | Clear & Visual |
What Could Your Own Sustainability Report Look Like?
You might be thinking, or maybe your colleague is asking: “Is a sustainability reporting system really worth it? Isn’t Excel enough?”
The best way to answer this is to see your own data visualised in two ways:
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In Excel Template: thousands of rows, columns, and formulas.
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In a Sustainability Reporting system: Real-time dashboards that clearly show ESG performance and gaps.
If you are interested to see a sustainability reporting software in action, we offer a free sample report based on your own data. You’ll see exactly how your data would look in a modern ESG reporting platform.
The system can import your existing documentation in various formats using automation and AI tools. Just send us your data – we’ll handle the rest. There is no cost, nor commitment for you to do this demo.
How about later on, if you love the system and want to start managing my ESG data with Planmark? Are you going to brake the bank? Not at all! You and all your team will save up to 70-90% of time in your sustainability reporting efforts, yet its very affordable.
What’s the Cost?
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Full-featured ESG/CSRD Reporting System: €799/month
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Basic Sustainability Reporting (e.g. for VSMEs): €399/month
Most companies save 70–90% of the time spent on ESG reporting. Depending on the company, this means €6,000–€10,000 per month in saved labor. And that’s not even counting the fact that your sustainability expert can now focus on tasks that actually improve your ESG performance – not just document it.
The ROI of ESG Software – It Pays for Itself in a Day
If you’re wondering whether an ESG reporting system is a “mandatory cost” — let’s break down the Return on Investment (ROI):
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Time savings: What used to take 3–4 months in Excel now takes a few days.
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Error reduction: Avoid reputational damage or legal risk from incorrect reports.
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Better decision-making: Real-time insights help guide ESG strategy, not just compliance.
Plus, some companies need to produce tailored sustainability reports weekly (e.g. for tenders or investor updates) — something only a proper reporting system can deliver.
Conclusion: Excel Might Be Familiar, But It’s Not Smart
An Excel template may seem like a good start, but it is not made for sustainability reporting. A modern reporting system is not just a compliance tool – it’s a strategic investment that boosts transparency, saves time, and strengthens your brand as a responsible business.
Want to See Your Own Sustainability Report Example?
Request a free sample report based on your own data – and see for yourself how much easier and more powerful sustainability reporting can be.
