5 Myths About Sustainability Assurance–Debunked

As sustainability reporting becomes standard practice, third-party assurance is quickly emerging as a key step in building trust and credibility with stakeholders. Yet there are still misconceptions that keep organizations from getting started.

Let’s break down five common myths about sustainability assurance and the reality behind each.

Myth 1: Assurance is scary

Reality: Assurance doesn’t have to be intimidating. At its core, assurance is a structured review process to validate the quality and reliability of your sustainability data. When guided by a knowledgeable, personable partner like SAS, the process can be straightforward, collaborative, and add value to your sustainability program. Additionally, a readiness assessment can help demystify the process and set you up for success.

Myth 2: Assurance is difficult

Reality: With the right support, assurance can be efficient and manageable. Sustainability professionals understand how sustainability data is collected, calculated, and reported, making them uniquely qualified to navigate assurance engagements. Their expertise often results in a smoother, faster process than traditional financial audit pathways.

Myth 3: Assurance is just a box-checking exercise

Reality: Far from it. Third-party assurance enhances credibility, transparency, and stakeholder trust. Regulations like CSRD and CA SB 253 require it, and voluntary platforms like CDP and EcoVadis increasingly reward it. Done thoughtfully, assurance is a strategic step that can improve your sustainability assessment score, reduce risk, and strengthen your brand.

Myth 4: All data must be final before seeking assurance

Reality: You don’t need to have everything perfect before engaging with an assurance provider. In fact, starting early allows you to identify gaps, address weaknesses, and improve documentation before your data or report is finalized. A readiness assessment can highlight areas to improve and ensure your data is audit-ready when the time comes.

Myth 5: You don’t need a sustainability professional for assurance

Reality: Many assurance engagements are conducted by accounting firms, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best fit for every organization. While financial auditors are experts in traditional assurance, they often lack deep knowledge of sustainability frameworks, data collection methods, or emissions calculations. Sustainability professionals bring this expertise to the table, guiding clients more effectively, with greater impact. Also, working with sustainability professionals tends to be a more cost-effective option, especially for smaller organizations, than working with financial auditors.

Final thoughts

The assurance process isn’t something to fear. With an experienced assurance partner like SAS, assurance is a competitive advantage that increases transparency, credibility, and accountability in sustainability data and reporting, and it adds value to your sustainability program. Reach out to us for sustainability assurance support.