1.1 This guide provides an overview of frameworks used for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures applicable to a variety of organizations.

1.2 This guide discusses the history and purpose of ESG disclosure frameworks, as well as the challenges associated with the greater interest in and broader requirements for transparency and accountability in the information used in disclosures.

1.3 The focus of this guide is the array of ESG disclosure frameworks and the regulatory context for organizations making ESG disclosures including climate and community concerns.

1.4 The goal of this guide is to improve the users’ understanding of ESG disclosure frameworks and to outline but not to supersede federal, state, tribal, and local regulatory requirements, and guidelines for disclosures. This guide can be used in situations where there may not be a regulatory requirement or framework for disclosure, or where the user wishes to conduct voluntary disclosure initiatives. In addition, it can also be used to standardize efforts when several different disclosure requirements apply to an organization.

1.5 This guide is organized as follows:

1.6 Before beginning the ESG disclosures process, organizations should document the information and data identified and evaluated, clarify the professional judgement factors considered during decision making and state how those factors influenced decisions or actions, and document the relevant technical policy decisions. The organization should verify that the data and information which are to be used in the ESG disclosures process, including historical data and current data, will be relevant to and of sufficient quantity and quality to answer the questions posed and the decisions made in the ESG disclosures process.

1.7 The ESG disclosures should be appropriate, relevant, and decision-useful disclosures suited to a particular request, purpose, or target audience.

1.8 The ESG disclosure frameworks discussed in this guide vary widely in ESG elements. For example, some ESG frameworks focus only on disclosure of a select set of environmental factors such as regulated emissions. The wider range of ESG elements that may be disclosed are summarized below.

1.9 This guide assists users in navigating the array of various ESG disclosure frameworks. It is not the intent of this guide to define the technical decisions or professional judgements appropriate for each user, but rather to provide information on the existing decision frameworks.

1.10 This guide recognizes the complexity and diversity of topics related to ESG disclosures and provides technical support for a range of ESG disclosure applications. ESG factors are an increasing focus of regulatory guidance, consumer demand, investor goals, academic research, and industry efforts to manage risk and maximize return.

1.11 This guide provides an overview of ESG disclosure requirements and frameworks and provides resources for organizations in making their disclosures. It is beyond the scope of this guide to evaluate potential impacts of climate change, or to review the outcomes of decisions taken by organizations, or to analyze the cost/benefit determinations made by organizations on the negative vs. positive impacts of technological advances that may or may not contribute to climate change.

1.12 The guide user’s legal counsel should be consulted regarding information and data designated for the disclosure process, which should be evaluated for compliance implications potentially associated with its public release (such as compliance with environmental laws; regulations; and terms or conditions of permits and consent agreements). Review of alignment of ESC policy with fiduciary duty should be included in this consultation.

1.13 This guide is intended to complement, not replace, existing regulatory requirements or guidance. ASTM International (ASTM) guides are not regulations; they are consensus-based standards that may be followed as deemed appropriate by guide users.

1.14 Units—The values stated in International System of Units (SI) units are to be regarded as the standard. Refer to: IEEE/ASTM SI 10 American National Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System.

1.15 This standard does not purport to address safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.16 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.