Panel Discussion on “Connectivity in Corporate Reporting” at WU Vienna

How can closer links between financial and sustainability information contribute to more holistic corporate reporting in the future? This question was at the heart of the panel discussion “Connectivity in Corporate Reporting”, jointly hosted by AFRAC, DRSC and the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) on 18 September 2026 at the WU.

Jens Berger (DRSC, EFRAG, Deloitte) opened the event with an introduction to EFRAG’s discussion paper “Connectivity of Financial and Sustainability Reporting”. He then joined Tanja Castor (DRSC, BASF), Konrad Fuhrmann (AFRAC, FMA), Georg Lanfermann (DRSC, EFRAG), Stefan Maxian (AFRAC, RBI) and Anita Seiwald (AFRAC, OMV) for a panel discussion moderated by Stéphanie Mittelbach-Hörmanseder (AFRAC, WU, UIBK). The panel explored current developments and challenges in connecting financial and sustainability information, bringing together perspectives from standard-setting as well as practical experience from companies and the audit profession.

During the discussion, Georg Lanfermann, President of the DRSC and Vice-President of the EFRAG Administrative Board, emphasised: “Financial and sustainability information should be considered more closely together. Connecting the two helps highlight important interdependencies and provides a more comprehensive picture of a company. Connectivity is therefore an important building block in the further development of corporate reporting.”

The DRSC has long advocated for connectivity to play a stronger role as a guiding principle in corporate reporting and for further progress towards integrated reporting. Its work in this area include a joint position paper with the Schmalenbach-Gesellschaft für Betriebswirtschaft e. V. as well as its comment letter on EFRAG’s discussion paper.