Best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples in 2025

Real-world examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples

Let’s start where most people actually need help: seeing what good looks like. The best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples share three traits:

• Clear climate and renewable energy targets (with dates and baselines)
• Transparent performance data, year over year
• Alignment with widely accepted standards and regulations

Here are several real examples that consistently get cited by analysts, ESG ratings agencies, and sustainability professionals.

Microsoft: Climate and renewable energy reporting as a strategic narrative

Microsoft’s annual Environmental Sustainability Report is one of the best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples for tech companies.

Why it works:

• Net zero and beyond: Microsoft has committed to be carbon negative by 2030 and to remove all historical emissions by 2050. The report explains how this translates into operational decisions, not just PR.
• Deep emissions breakdown: The company details Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, including purchased goods, cloud services, and device lifecycle. The level of segmentation is a strong example of how to treat complex value chains.
• Renewable energy focus: Microsoft reports on its strategy to match 100% of its electricity consumption with renewable energy purchases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), explaining contract structures and regional differences.
• TCFD alignment: The report aligns with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), mapping climate risks and opportunities directly to business strategy.

If you’re looking for an example of integrating climate data with corporate strategy, Microsoft’s reporting is a useful benchmark.

Apple: Supplier engagement and circularity as standout examples

Apple’s Environmental Progress Report is frequently cited as one of the best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples focused on product design, supply chain, and circularity.

Standout features:

• Supplier Clean Energy Program: Apple reports how many suppliers are on 100% renewable energy, how many gigawatts of clean power are contracted, and the resulting emissions reductions. This is a strong example of corporate sustainability reporting that extends beyond direct operations.
• Product-level data: The company publishes product environmental reports showing lifecycle emissions, recycled content, and energy efficiency. That level of detail is rare and a strong example of transparency.
• Circularity metrics: Apple shares data on recycled materials, take-back programs, and repair initiatives, tying them to long-term resource and emissions goals.

For companies that rely heavily on global manufacturing, Apple’s report is a real example of how to communicate supplier engagement and renewable energy adoption in a clear, data-heavy way.

Unilever: Integrated ESG and business model reporting

Unilever’s Climate Transition Action Plan and sustainability disclosures are often treated as textbook examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples in the consumer goods sector.

What stands out:

• Integrated narrative: Unilever links its climate and social goals directly to its business model and brands, showing how sustainability influences product innovation and market strategy.
• Science-based targets: The company reports progress against science-based emissions targets verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a practice now expected of large emitters.
• Scope 3 leadership: Unilever provides detailed Scope 3 breakdowns (agriculture, packaging, consumer use), which is an example of going beyond minimum requirements.

If you want an example of corporate sustainability reporting that weaves ESG into brand and growth strategy, Unilever is a good place to start.

Ørsted: From fossil utility to renewable energy leader

Ørsted, once one of Europe’s most fossil-fuel-heavy utilities, is now a leading offshore wind developer. Its Sustainability Report is one of the clearest examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples for renewable energy adoption.

Key strengths:

• Transition story: Ørsted documents its shift from coal and gas to wind and solar, with charts showing the changing generation mix over time.
• Capital allocation: The report links sustainability targets to capital expenditure, showing how much is directed to renewables versus legacy assets.
• Scenario analysis: Ørsted presents climate-related scenario analysis aligned with TCFD, illustrating how different policy and climate pathways affect its business.

For energy-intensive companies, Ørsted is a real example of how to communicate a credible transition plan rather than just setting distant targets.

Walmart: Supply chain emissions and supplier engagement

Walmart’s ESG Reporting (including its climate and energy disclosures) is another of the best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples for large retailers with sprawling value chains.

Highlights:

• Project Gigaton: Walmart reports on its initiative to avoid one billion metric tons of emissions from its supply chain, sharing progress by category (energy, agriculture, waste, packaging, deforestation).
• Supplier tools and data: The company describes tools and frameworks offered to suppliers, plus participation rates and emissions reductions — a strong example of reporting on influence beyond corporate walls.
• Renewable procurement: Walmart details renewable energy projects, PPAs, and on-site installations, including the percentage of global electricity needs met by renewables.

If your business depends on thousands of suppliers, Walmart offers a practical example of corporate sustainability reporting that tackles Scope 3 at scale.

Patagonia: Values-driven reporting for a mission-led brand

Patagonia’s Environmental & Social Responsibility reporting takes a different approach from giant multinationals but still counts among the best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples for mission-driven brands.

Notable aspects:

• Honest trade-offs: Patagonia openly discusses where it falls short, such as persistent material impacts or limits to circularity. That candor is an example of how transparency can build trust.
• Detailed supply chain maps: The company publishes factory lists and explains labor and environmental standards in language that regular customers can understand.
• Climate activism and policy: Patagonia reports on political advocacy, legal actions, and support for grassroots climate organizations — expanding the idea of sustainability beyond internal operations.

For smaller or privately held businesses, Patagonia is a real example of how to build a strong narrative around values while still providing concrete data.

Tesla: High-impact climate narrative with growing reporting expectations

Tesla’s Impact Report is often referenced as an example of corporate sustainability reporting that leans heavily on product impact.

Key elements:

• Product-based emissions comparison: Tesla compares lifetime emissions of its vehicles to internal combustion engine cars, including use-phase emissions, which is a compelling example of framing climate benefits.
• Energy products: The report covers solar and storage deployments, showing how these contribute to grid decarbonization.
• Manufacturing footprint: Tesla discloses factory energy use and some emissions data, though analysts often push for more granular Scope 3 reporting.

Tesla is a useful example of corporate sustainability reporting that centers on climate-positive products, while also illustrating where stakeholders now expect deeper disclosure.

How these examples include modern reporting standards and regulations

The best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples share another pattern: they align with evolving global standards and regulatory expectations.

Several frameworks now shape what “good” looks like:

• TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures): Focuses on governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics/targets for climate. Many of the companies above map their disclosures to TCFD recommendations. The TCFD framework is now formally embedded in standards from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
• GRI (Global Reporting Initiative): Widely used for broad ESG disclosures, especially social and governance issues. Companies like Unilever and Walmart use GRI standards to structure their sustainability reports.
• SASB / ISSB: Sector-specific metrics that investors follow closely. Many US-listed companies now map their sustainability metrics to SASB standards, which have informed the ISSB’s new global baseline.
• EU CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive): For companies operating in Europe, CSRD and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are rapidly becoming mandatory, with phased-in requirements from 2024 onward.

For current background on climate science and mitigation pathways, many companies reference sources such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The EPA’s climate change resources are a good starting point for U.S.-based organizations: https://www.epa.gov/climate-change

When you study real examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples, pay attention to how companies explicitly reference these frameworks and regulations. That crosswalk is often what turns a nice marketing document into something investors and regulators actually trust.

Trends shaping the best examples of corporate sustainability reporting in 2024–2025

By 2025, sustainability reporting is less about voluntary storytelling and more about regulatory compliance and financial materiality. The best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples now reflect several converging trends:

1. Climate risk is treated as financial risk

After years of TCFD advocacy, climate risk is increasingly treated as a financial disclosure issue. Public companies are expected to show how climate scenarios affect revenues, assets, and capital spending.

• More companies are publishing scenario analyses (1.5°C, 2°C, 3°C worlds) and explaining what happens to demand, supply chains, and asset values.
• Banks and insurers are under pressure to disclose financed emissions and climate risk exposure, pushing clients to improve their own reporting.

For U.S. context, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed climate disclosure rules that would require standardized climate-related information in filings. Background materials are available at: https://www.sec.gov/climate-change

2. Scope 3 emissions move from “nice to have” to expectation

Scope 3 emissions (those from supply chains, product use, and end-of-life) often account for the majority of a company’s carbon footprint. The best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples now:

• Provide category-level breakdowns of Scope 3 emissions
• Explain methodologies and data quality
• Show supplier engagement programs and customer behavior initiatives

Unilever, Apple, and Walmart are all real examples of this trend, reporting on supplier programs, consumer use-phase emissions, and product design changes that cut lifetime impact.

3. Renewable energy adoption becomes more sophisticated

In earlier years, companies leaned heavily on unbundled renewable energy certificates (RECs). In 2024–2025, leading companies increasingly favor:

• Long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) that finance new renewable capacity
• On-site solar, storage, and microgrids for resilience
• Time-matched or 24/7 carbon-free energy strategies, especially in tech and heavy industry

Microsoft and Google, for example, report on 24/7 carbon-free energy pilots, matching consumption with clean energy generation on an hourly basis instead of annual totals. These are strong examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples that go beyond simple “100% renewable” claims.

For technical background on renewable energy and grid integration, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) is a helpful reference: https://www.energy.gov/eere

4. Assurance and third-party verification

Stakeholders are increasingly skeptical of self-reported data. Many of the best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples now feature:

• Limited or reasonable assurance by third-party auditors on greenhouse gas inventories
• Verification of science-based targets by SBTi
• External validation of renewable energy claims

This trend mirrors financial reporting, where assurance is standard practice. If your company wants to be taken seriously, look at how Microsoft or Ørsted structure their assurance statements and apply that as an example of corporate sustainability reporting done with credibility.

How to use these examples to improve your own sustainability report

Studying examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples is helpful, but only if you translate the lessons into your own context. A few practical moves:

Anchor your report around a few core metrics

The strongest reports pick a small set of anchor metrics and build the story around them. For renewable energy and climate, that often means:

• Total greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and where relevant, 3)
• Percentage of electricity from renewable sources
• Energy intensity (per product, per square foot, per dollar of revenue)
• Progress toward science-based or net-zero targets

Look at how Apple and Microsoft use charts and consistent baselines. That’s a simple example of corporate sustainability reporting discipline you can copy immediately.

Tell a clear transition story

Investors want to know how you’ll move from today’s footprint to your 2030 or 2050 goals. The best examples include:

• Interim targets (e.g., 2025, 2030) and clear milestones
• Capital expenditure plans that align with climate and renewable goals
• Policy and technology assumptions

Ørsted’s report is a strong example of this: it ties decarbonization targets directly to changes in its asset base and investment pipeline.

Connect ESG performance to governance and incentives

In many of the best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples, boards and executives are directly accountable for ESG outcomes:

• Board committees oversee climate and sustainability
• Executive compensation is partially linked to emissions or renewable energy milestones
• ESG risks appear in enterprise risk management frameworks

Unilever and Microsoft both report on how executive incentives align with climate and diversity targets. That’s an example of corporate sustainability reporting that signals seriousness to investors.

Be honest about gaps and trade-offs

Patagonia’s approach demonstrates that admitting challenges can actually strengthen credibility. Instead of only highlighting wins:

• Acknowledge where targets were missed and explain why
• Discuss technical or financial barriers to faster renewable energy adoption
• Lay out what support you need from policy or partners

Stakeholders are increasingly wary of polished narratives with no downside. The most trusted examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples include both progress and problems.

FAQ: examples of corporate sustainability reporting and practical questions

What are some widely recognized examples of corporate sustainability reporting?

Some of the most cited examples of corporate sustainability reporting include Microsoft’s Environmental Sustainability Report, Apple’s Environmental Progress Report, Unilever’s climate and ESG disclosures, Ørsted’s Sustainability Report, Walmart’s ESG Reporting (including Project Gigaton), Patagonia’s Environmental & Social Responsibility reporting, and Tesla’s Impact Report. Each provides a different example of focus — from renewable energy adoption and climate risk to circularity and supply chain engagement.

How do I decide which framework to use for my sustainability report?

Most large companies use a mix. A common pattern is to align climate disclosures with TCFD and ISSB recommendations, use GRI for broader ESG topics, and reference SASB metrics for sector-specific investor expectations. If your company operates in or sells into the EU, you’ll need to pay attention to CSRD and ESRS. Reviewing how Unilever or Microsoft map their disclosures to multiple frameworks is a practical example of corporate sustainability reporting strategy.

What is an example of a strong renewable energy disclosure in a sustainability report?

A strong example of renewable energy disclosure typically includes the percentage of electricity sourced from renewables, the mix of on-site generation, PPAs, and certificates, the geographic distribution of projects, and the impact on Scope 2 emissions. Microsoft’s and Apple’s reports both provide clear examples of this, explaining how their renewable energy strategies support long-term decarbonization goals.

How detailed should Scope 3 emissions reporting be?

Stakeholders increasingly expect category-level detail (e.g., purchased goods, transportation, use of sold products) and a clear explanation of data quality and estimation methods. Unilever and Walmart provide good real examples of breaking out Scope 3 emissions and linking them to supplier and customer programs. Even if your data is imperfect, transparency about methods and limitations is better than ignoring Scope 3 altogether.

Are smaller companies expected to match these best examples?

No one expects a 200-person company to publish a 300-page report. But investors and customers still want clarity on climate and sustainability basics: emissions, energy use, renewable adoption, and material social issues. Smaller firms can study these best examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples, then scale down the approach — focusing on a few key metrics, clear targets, and honest discussion of constraints.

The bottom line: the strongest examples of corporate sustainability reporting examples in 2025 are data-driven, aligned with global standards, and honest about both progress and gaps. If you treat your sustainability report as a strategic, investor-grade document rather than a marketing brochure, you’ll already be ahead of most of your peers.