LAHORE – 03 March 2026: The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has released new guidance advising organisations not to be discouraged by data gaps when preparing sustainability disclosures, stating that well-documented and reasonable estimates can support effective decision-making.
The report, titled Sustainability reporting: working with estimates, provides practical direction on how organisations can produce sustainability information when precise or comprehensive data is not yet available. The guidance comes as sustainability reporting requirements continue to evolve and globally standardised measurement methodologies remain under development.
ACCA notes that many organisations face difficulties in collecting complete and reliable non-financial data. In such cases, the report explains that entities may rely on reasonable and supportable assumptions to reflect current performance or anticipated future outcomes, provided those estimates are transparently described.
Aaron Saw, Head of Corporate Reporting Insights – Financial at ACCA, said the publication is intended to help organisations navigate uncertainty in sustainability measurement. He noted that as reporting frameworks mature, practical tools are needed to help businesses begin the process rather than delay disclosures.
Practical methods to improve reporting quality
The report outlines several approaches to estimating sustainability information. These include the use of third-party datasets, proxy indicators, and deriving environmental or social metrics from existing financial and operational records.
ACCA also recommends strengthening internal systems to improve data quality over time. Suggested steps include training staff on the importance of sustainability data collection, designing dedicated systems and processes, integrating reporting mechanisms across departments, implementing controls, and collaborating with supply chain partners.
According to the guidance, while direct and precise measurement remains the long-term goal, estimates are sometimes unavoidable due to limited data or evolving understanding of sustainability topics. The report emphasises that estimates should be updated as new information becomes available, assumptions are refined, and systems improve.
ACCA states that incremental refinement of estimates can help organisations build credible and decision-useful sustainability reporting frameworks without waiting for perfect data.
