Do sustainability reports have to be translated?

Sustainability reporting has become a matter of transparency, accountability and regulatory compliance. But as businesses operate across borders, one question arises: do sustainability reports have to be translated?

The short answer is: not always. While translation may be legally required in certain circumstances, multilingual reporting also helps businesses communicate clearly with international stakeholders.

So, what do EU regulations say, and when should companies consider professional sustainability report translation?

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What is a sustainability report, and why does it matter?

A sustainability report explains how a company manages its environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibilities.

It goes beyond describing environmental initiatives. Depending on the reporting framework, it may include information about:

• Environmental impact: greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, resource management and climate-related risks;
• Social responsibility: working conditions, human rights, diversity and employee wellbeing;
• Corporate governance: business ethics, risk management, compliance and accountability.

For businesses, sustainability reporting is an opportunity to demonstrate how commitments translate into measurable actions.

For investors, customers and other stakeholders, it provides information to assess a company's sustainability performance and long-term resilience.

And in the European Union, sustainability reporting is also shaped by an evolving regulatory framework.

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What does the CSRD require in 2026?

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) introduced a more consistent approach to sustainability disclosures across the EU.

It requires companies within its scope to report on sustainability matters using the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

However, the regulatory landscape has changed considerably since the directive was first introduced.

In February 2026, the EU adopted Directive (EU) 2026/470, as part of the Omnibus simplification package, significantly narrowing the scope of mandatory reporting.

Under the revised framework, the general reporting thresholds target companies and groups with:

• More than 1,000 employees on average during the financial year;
• Annual net turnover exceeding €450 million.

The changes also revise the reporting timetable and introduce additional simplifications. Their practical application depends on the relevant reporting period and national implementation.

In July 2026, the European Commission also adopted revised ESRS to simplify reporting while preserving meaningful sustainability disclosures.

For companies operating internationally, these developments make it particularly important to understand both the reporting obligations and the language requirements in each relevant jurisdiction.

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Do sustainability reports have to be translated?

There is no universal EU requirement to translate every sustainability report into every language spoken in the countries where a business operates.

Instead, translation requirements depend on national legislation, publication obligations and the markets in which the company is listed.

The European Commission's guidance explains that sustainability statements included in management reports must be published in a language accepted under the applicable Member State's legislation. Listed companies may also be subject to additional language rules under the EU Transparency Directive.

In practice, sustainability report translation may be necessary in several situations:

1. When local regulations require it: Companies publishing sustainability information in different EU Member States must consider the language rules applicable to their reporting obligations. A report prepared in English, for example, may not automatically meet the requirements of another jurisdiction;
2. When a company operates across multiple markets: Multinational businesses communicate with investors, regulators, employees and partners who speak different languages. Translating sustainability reports helps these audiences understand the company's ESG commitments, performance and risks;
3. When transparency and accessibility are priorities: Even when translation is not legally required, multilingual sustainability reporting can strengthen communication with international stakeholders. After all, sustainability information is only useful when people can understand it.

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Why is professional ESG report translation important?

Translating a sustainability report is not simply a matter of converting text from one language into another.

These documents combine technical terminology, financial information, regulatory concepts and measurable ESG indicators. A seemingly small translation error can change the meaning of a commitment, a performance indicator or a risk disclosure.

Consider terms such as double materiality, Scope 3 emissions or climate transition plan. Each has a specific meaning within sustainability reporting, and inconsistent translations can create confusion.

Professional ESG translation helps businesses address three challenges:

• Terminological accuracy: ensuring that ESG concepts, reporting terminology and technical expressions retain their intended meaning;
• Consistency across languages: maintaining the same definitions, figures and messaging throughout multilingual reports;
• Clarity for local audiences: adapting language and presentation without changing the underlying information.

This is particularly relevant when sustainability reports must align with regulatory frameworks such as the CSRD and ESRS.

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How can companies ensure accurate sustainability report translations?

A reliable translation process begins long before the final report is published.

For companies preparing multilingual sustainability documentation, a few practical measures can make a significant difference.

1. Identify the required languages early. Review the applicable reporting rules and determine which stakeholders need access to translated information;
2. Establish consistent ESG terminology. Use approved glossaries and terminology databases to maintain consistency across documents and reporting periods;
3. Work with specialised translators. Sustainability reporting requires knowledge of environmental, corporate and regulatory language;
4. Review figures, units and references. Ensure that quantitative information, technical terminology and cross-references remain accurate;
5. Plan for multilingual publication. Allow sufficient time for translation, revision, formatting and final quality checks.

A structured approach can also make subsequent reporting cycles more efficient, particularly when companies publish updated sustainability information every year.

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Sustainability report translation with t’works

Sustainability reporting is about building trust through transparency. And when businesses operate internationally, language plays an important role in making that transparency possible.

At t’works, we support companies with professional sustainability report translation and multilingual corporate communications.

Our experienced language specialists understand the demands of ESG documentation, helping businesses communicate complex sustainability information accurately and consistently across markets. Our Vienna team has experience translating sustainability reports and related corporate documents for clients in sectors including insurance, energy, real estate and automotive.

Whether your company needs to meet local language requirements or make its sustainability commitments accessible to international stakeholders, we can help.

Make your sustainability reporting clear across borders. Talk to our team.

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