Two Approaches to Sustainability Reporting: A Comparative Analysis of TSRS and CSRD/ESRS Frameworks in the Banking Sector

OpenAlex İngilizce

Introduction: This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the Türkiye Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRS) and the European Union Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and its associated European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) frameworks, specifically within the banking sector. Method: The research was conducted using the document analysis method within the framework of a qualitative research approach. In this context, the 2024 sustainability reports of the Turkish subsidiaries of the BBVA and ING groups, as well as their European parent companies, were analyzed. Results or Findings: The findings reveal a structural difference between the TSRS's single-materiality approach and the ESRS's dual-materiality approach, which decisively shapes the scope, depth, and stakeholder orientation of reporting. CSRD/ESRS reports exhibited higher evaluation scores (average difference: 1.0/5), with divergence most pronounced in materiality assessment and scenario analysis depth. Discussion or Conclusion: The findings show that some Turkish banks exceed TSRS minimum requirements through group-level influences, demonstrating that reporting quality depends on institutional context as well as regulatory design. This empirical comparison fills a gap in the literature by showing how different regulatory approaches shape banking sector sustainability reporting practices.