Module 4: Data Collection and Assurance Strategies for Sustainability Reporting

Description

This course focuses on the data collection, management, and assurance practices needed to support effective sustainability reporting. Participants will learn how Double Materiality Assessments (DMAs) help organizations identify reporting priorities and determine what data should be collected, as well as explore practical approaches for data governance, system selection, and sustainability data management. Through real-world examples, the course examines strategies for collecting key ESG metrics, leveraging existing business systems, and preparing data for assurance and verification. Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of how to build efficient, audit-ready processes that support CSRD compliance and broader sustainability reporting objectives.

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the purpose of Double Materiality Assessments (DMAs) and understand how impacts, risks, and opportunities (IROs) help organizations identify material sustainability topics and prioritize reporting efforts. 
2. Identify common sustainability data collection challenges and evaluate approaches for building effective data collection systems, including the use of existing business platforms, Excel-based processes, and specialized ESG software solutions. 
3. Apply practical data collection and governance principles to gather, manage, and document key sustainability metrics such as greenhouse gas emissions, recycled content, and other ESG indicators. 
4. Understand the fundamentals of sustainability data assurance, including assurance levels, common verification findings, documentation best practices, and strategies for creating audit-ready reporting processes. 

Speakers

Natalie Duncan

With a background spanning green chemical engineering, consulting, and data analytics, Natalie brings a sharp analytical mindset and a passion for creative problem solving to every project. As a Senior Manager at WAP, Natalie bridges the gap between technical depth and strategic execution—translating complex data into actionable insights. 

Natalie holds a Master of Science in Sustainability Science from Columbia University, where she focused on climate science, greenhouse gas accounting, sustainable operations, and stakeholder engagement. Her background blends scientific rigor with real-world application—equipping her to guide companies through today’s most urgent environmental challenges with confidence and clarity.