How to Read a Sustainability Report (Without Falling Asleep) and Use It as a Conscientious Consumer
By Ritika Kumbharkar, June 26 , 2025
Want to know if a company’s sustainability claims are real or just greenwashing? This simple guide shows you how to quickly read a report and spot the brands truly making a difference—so you can shop smarter and support companies that share your values.
In Part One of this series, we broke down what ESG means and why it matters, not just for businesses, but for you too. Now, let’s take it a step further.
You know ESG is important. But how do you tell if a company is walking the walk?
That’s where sustainability reports come in. These documents, usually released every year, are like progress reports for a company’s environmental, social, and governance efforts. While they might not sound like the most thrilling read, they’re powerful tools that help you figure out whether a brand aligns with your values or is just greenwashing.
What Is a Sustainability Report?
A sustainability report (also called a corporate social responsibility or ESG report) outlines a company’s performance and goals regarding ESG issues. It might detail how much water or energy the company uses, how diverse its leadership is, how it treats workers, or whether it’s making progress on climate goals.
Some reports follow global frameworks like:
GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) - great for getting the big picture
SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) - focuses on financial relevance
TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) - climate-specific and future-focused
But don’t worry, you don’t need to memorize acronyms to make sense of them.
How to Skim Smarter: A Beginner’s Guide
You can learn a lot from a sustainability report in just 10 - 15 minutes. Here’s what to look for:
1. Start with the CEO Letter or Executive Summary
This section sets the tone. Are they owning up to challenges, or just using buzzwords? Look for clear language about what matters to the company and where they’re headed.
2. Search for Specific Goals
Vague commitments like “we care about the planet” don’t cut it. Look for actionable and measurable statements like “Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030” or “Ensure 75% of suppliers meet ethical labor standards by 2025.”
3. Check the Data
Numbers matter. A good report will include charts or year-over-year comparisons that show progress on emissions, diversity, waste, or community investments. Even if you’re not a data geek, you’ll spot trends going up, down, or stagnant.
4. Dig into the Supply Chain
Do they mention where and how their products are made? Any mention of audits, certifications, or improvements in sourcing? This is key for industries like fashion, food, and electronics.
5. Look for Certifications or Frameworks
Mentions of terms such as “GRI-compliant,” “B Corp,” or “Science-Based Targets” usually mean the company is serious about third-party validation. These frameworks set clear standards for how companies should measure and report their impact, so aligning with them shows a willingness to be transparent, accountable, and guided by independent, expert-reviewed criteria rather than self-made claims.
6. Watch Out for Greenwashing
If a report is full of beautiful photos, big slogans, and no (or minimal) measurable data, it might be more marketing than action. Transparency, even about what’s not going well, is a good sign.
Why This Matters to You
As a consumer, every dollar you spend is a vote. When you buy from companies that take ESG seriously, you’re helping shape a more just, sustainable economy.
Reading a report, even briefly, can tell you:
Whether a brand’s climate claims are real or fluff
How they treat workers (especially in global supply chains)
Whether they’re committed to equity and inclusion
If they’re planning for long-term environmental responsibility
And yes, it can help you avoid supporting companies that don’t share your values.
Make It Actionable
You don’t need to read every report from front to back. Try this:
Before your next online order, check if the brand has a sustainability or ESG page.
Compare at least two brands’ reports before making a big purchase (like electronics or clothes).
Talk about what you find! Post about it, tag the brand, or share it with friends.
Bookmark resources like Good On You, Ethical Consumer, or Morningstar ESG Ratings.
Final Thoughts
Sustainability reports might not be your next beach read, but they’re one of the best tools to see behind the curtain. You deserve to know whether companies are serious about protecting people and the planet, or just protecting their image.
By learning how to read these reports (even just a few key sections), you’re turning awareness into action. And that’s what ESG is all about.
Ready to go deeper? Check out our ESG Action Page for more tools, tips, and steps you can take today: www.changethechamber.org/esg-changemaker.
Change The Chamber is a nonpartisan coalition of young adults, 100+ student groups across the country, environmental justice and frontline community groups, and other allied organizations.