ESG assurance

In Pakistan's evolving business landscape, organizations face growing demands for clear and transparent disclosure on their long-term ESG commitments from government and stakeholders. Local regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), are increasingly focused on ESG reporting requirements. Investors, suppliers, customers, and employees all want to understand the purpose and values of the businesses they work with or for. 

This has seen a rapid increase in the focus on and reporting of non-financial metrics. This need for credible, assured ESG information is particularly critical for companies operating in the local market and even more so for those engaging with international markets, who must align with both local and global reporting requirements. It has also resulted in the use of a vast range of ESG targets and frameworks, which can vary by sector, size, and complexity of a business.

Assurance plays an important role in building trust around the robustness of non-financial information. With the growing emphasis on sustainability reporting and the introduction of new reporting requirements by SECP, businesses need robust assurance processes more than ever. However, ESG disclosures are being determined by pressure from key stakeholders – or by where a business is in its ESG journey. That means there is no one-size-fits-all approach to ESG assurance.

• External assurance opinions: We provide formal opinions over reported ESG metrics and disclosures, which can either be private or made public. The opinions are delivered in accordance with ISAE 3000 to either a limited or reasonable level of assurance (depending on stakeholder needs). This is a service we can provide to audited entities and non-audit clients.
• KPMG led workshops: These provide an overview of ESG assurance and the current reporting landscape, including common reporting frameworks and their application in Pakistan. Vitally, they highlight what you need to do to get ready for assurance.