Preparing for the ESG Assessment

Before starting your ESG Pathway assessment, it’s important to take time to prepare. Good preparation leads to better quality answers, clearer evidence, and a smoother path to certification or improvement planning.

This section outlines the key steps your team should take to get assessment-ready.

1. Understand the ESG Framework

Familiarise yourself with the ESG Pathway structure — built around three core domains:

  • Environmental (e.g. energy, emissions, waste)

  • Social (e.g. wellbeing, inclusion, H&S)

  • Governance (e.g. policies, data, leadership)

Each domain includes themes and outcome statements assessed using a 0–3 maturity scale. These map to Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels of performance.

Explore the Pathway Overview and Outcome Statements pages before proceeding.

2. Review Outcome Statements and Maturity Guidance

Make sure your team understands:

  • What good practice looks like at different maturity levels (Defined → Managed → Optimised)

  • How each outcome statement is framed as a practical, assessable benchmark

  • Which areas or sub-themes may require stronger evidence at Silver or Gold

Outcome statements are not checklists — they describe real, demonstrable practices. Use them to calibrate expectations across your team.

3. Gather Policies, Data and Supporting Information

Start collecting relevant ESG documentation — don’t worry if it’s informal or incomplete.

Common examples include:

  • Environmental: Carbon footprint calculations, energy bills, waste data, environmental policy

  • Social: H&S policies, wellbeing initiatives, training records, workforce diversity data

  • Governance: ESG policies, risk registers, whistleblowing procedures, ESG roles or KPIs

You don’t need every item for every theme — just enough to support your scores and show clear intent or activity.

4. Build a Cross-Functional Assessment Team

ESG touches multiple functions — no single person can usually complete the assessment alone.

Engage early with representatives from:

  • Operations / Facilities

  • HR and Health & Safety

  • Finance or Strategy

  • Governance, Legal or Risk

  • Senior Management (especially for Gold-level outcomes)

Nominate an assessment lead with access to the right people and knowledge.

5. Discuss Goals and Capture Observations

Clarify your ambition before you start:

  • Are you aiming for Bronze (foundation), Silver (internal integration) or Gold (supply chain leadership)?

  • Where do you already have strength?

  • Where are the known gaps?

Use the Observations & Opportunities section to capture this thinking — it forms the basis of your post-assessment action plan.

Quick-Check: Are You Assessment Ready?

✅ You’ve reviewed the ESG Pillar structure and scoring system ✅ You’ve identified key themes and outcome statements ✅ You’ve gathered available policies and data ✅ You’ve involved stakeholders across relevant functions ✅ You’ve agreed on a target level and documented observations

Key Resources for Preparation

  • Assessment Preparation Checklist – Copy or download to guide your internal prep

  • Outcome Statements & Maturity Guidance – Benchmark what each level looks like

  • Best Practice Templates – Find examples, formats, and support materials

What’s Next?

Once your team is ready, proceed to the Assessment Tool. You’ll be guided step by step through each ESG theme and sub-theme, with scoring options, evidence prompts, and recommendations along the way.

Go to the Assessment Tool →

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