Back to case studies
GovernanceESG reportingWorkiva implementationBusiness Enablement

Implementing Workiva ESG reporting for global organisations

Multiple global organisations – large multinationals across sectors

March 10, 2026

Summary

In previous roles, TreeLynk co‑founder Inesh Singh led Workiva ESG implementations for several global companies, designing data structures, workflows, integrations, and connected reporting documents to strengthen governance and reduce reporting effort.

Key Achievements

  • Reduction in manual “last‑mile” reporting effort and rework (to be quantified per client)
  • Faster ESG reporting cycles compared with pre‑implementation processes
  • Single connected environment linking data collection sheets to published ESG disclosures

Client type (industry, region)

  • Multiple global organisations across sectors (for example, FMCG, diversified corporates, and other large multinationals), primarily in Europe, and North America.

Challenge, solution, outcomes (brief)

  • These organisations faced increasing ESG reporting requirements and fragmented data and processes. In previous roles, TreeLynk co‑founder Inesh Singh led implementations of the Workiva ESG reporting platform, including data structures, workflows, and document setup. This enabled more reliable, efficient ESG reporting with direct links between data sources and published disclosures.

 

Problem

  • Across several companies, ESG reporting had grown organically. Data came from many systems and spreadsheets, often with inconsistent definitions and limited version control. Reporting teams had to reconcile numbers manually, manage multiple draft documents, and respond to new regulatory and stakeholder requests under tight timelines.
  • Common pain points included: 
    • Multiple data owners and formats, with no single structure for ESG reporting.
    • Manual copy‑paste steps between data collection files and draft sustainability or annual reports.
    • Limited audit trails or data lineage from reported numbers back to source systems or templates.
    • Difficulty adapting reports when frameworks or regulatory requirements changed.
    • Without a more robust and connected reporting platform, organisations risked errors, rework, and delays, and found it hard to demonstrate governance and control over ESG information.

Solution

  • This work was led by TreeLynk co‑founder Inesh Singh in previous roles, implementing Workiva ESG reporting for multiple global organisations.

  • Key elements of the approach were:

    • Understanding requirements and pain points

      • Conducted stakeholder interviews across sustainability, finance, risk, and IT.

      • Mapped existing reporting requirements (for example, ESG standards, regulatory disclosures, internal KPIs) and current bottlenecks in data collection and reporting processes.

    • Designing data structures and workflows in Workiva

      • Designed ESG data models and hierarchies to reflect indicators, entities, geographies, and reporting frameworks.

      • Configured workflows for data owners, reviewers, and approvers, including task assignments and sign‑offs.

    • Integrations with data sources

      • Enabled integration between Workiva and existing ESG data solutions or structured Excel templates, to minimise manual transfers.

      • Set up controlled imports and update routines, ensuring traceability from reported values back to underlying data.

    • Setting up the ESG programme within Workiva

      • Configured ESG programmes, dashboards, and workspaces aligned with each organisation’s governance model.

      • Established permissions and roles to protect sensitive content while allowing collaboration.

    • Linking data to reporting documents

      • Worked with reporting teams to build sustainability / ESG sections in Workiva documents, with direct links (“connected data”) to data tables and collection sheets.

      • Ensured that updates to source data were automatically reflected in draft reports, reducing manual edits and error risk.

  • Across engagements, the focus was on designing a structure that worked for the organisation’s existing processes while improving control and efficiency.

 

Results

  • Outcomes varied by organisation, but typical results included:

      • Stronger governance and auditability

        • Clearer data lineage from reported ESG metrics back to source systems and templates, improving confidence in numbers.

        • Documented workflows and approvals that supported internal and external assurance.

      • Shorter and more predictable reporting timelines

        • Reduction in last‑mile manual work for sustainability and reporting teams, as data updates flowed directly into draft reports.

        • Fewer version conflicts and rework cycles because reporting content and data sat on a single connected platform.

      • Greater flexibility to respond to new requirements

        • Ability to adjust data structures and templates as ESG standards and regulations evolved, without rebuilding everything from scratch.

        • Easier reuse of common metrics and narratives across multiple reports and disclosures.

      • Improved collaboration across functions

        • Finance, sustainability, risk, and operations teams working in a shared environment with clear roles, rather than disconnected files and email trails.