“Steady through the storm” - Coolset founders on Omnibus, ESG’s future, and why sustainability still matters

In the wake of the recent Omnibus announcement - where sweeping regulatory changes around ESG reporting caused whiplash across Europe - companies of all sizes have been left wondering what to do next. At Coolset, this is a moment of reckoning and evaluating where we are and where the market is going.

We sat down with Coolset co-founders Konstantinos (CEO) and David (CTO) to unpack what the Omnibus means for the market, how it’s reshaping ESG reporting, and what advice they have for fellow founders and sustainability leaders navigating this moment.

Let’s start at the top. What was your honest reaction when the EU announced the Omnibus rollback of CSRD and other ESG measures? Was it a necessary correction or a step backwards?

Konstantinos: I think the intention to simplify things was a good one. A lot of mid-sized companies were overwhelmed by the initial CSRD rollout. But the sudden change - without clear guidance on what comes next - created uncertainty. If anything, this shows how important it is to keep companies in the loop and design regulations where compliance feels doable, not daunting.

David: Exactly. It’s a tough balancing act. On one side, the EU wants to lead on sustainability. On the other, it has to keep the economic engine running. I think the pendulum swung a bit too far toward the commercial pressures this time.

What have you seen from companies on the ground? What’s the mood?

Konstantinos: The mood is mixed. Some are relieved, some are frustrated, and many are simply unsure what to do. But what stands out is that companies with dedicated sustainability teams - those that see ESG as part of their long-term strategy - are staying the course. Many are continuing with CSRD or switching to voluntary frameworks like VSME.

David: What’s telling is that ~90% of our surveyed companies said they plan to continue reporting regardless of the mandate. They recognize it’s not only about compliance - it’s about brand, talent, and finance - and they know their ESG maturity will set them apart.

What would you do right now if you were a sustainability manager at a company with 600-1000 employees?

Konstantinos: I’d start by asking what kind of company we want to be - not just this year, but 5 or 10 years from now. If you’re growing, ESG can be a real differentiator. If you’re in a tough spot, aligning with a voluntary framework can still unlock financing or talent. But above all: I wouldn't pause just because the law did. The shift toward transparency and accountability is greater than one directive.

David: And automate the noise so you can focus on the signal. We’re building a platform that handles the data collection, the calculations, the compliance plumbing - so ESG managers can focus on strategy and change management. That’s where the real value lies.

From a tech lens, what’s the biggest challenge in ESG reporting no one talks about?

David: The unpredictability of data. ESG reporting isn’t static; it’s company-defined, messy, and always evolving. At Coolset, we’ve invested heavily in building a platform flexible enough to handle any input, any framework, any format. We call it “ingest anything, report anything.” That modularity is critical if we want to serve not just enterprises with large budgets, but the mid-market that needs to scale fast and smart.

Is there a risk that automation in ESG reporting could go too far?

David: Absolutely. There’s always a risk in taking humans out too early. Automation can handle the data and calculations, but it takes a human to bring insight and context. It should free up time for smarter decisions - not replace the people making them.

Has the Omnibus changed your strategy at Coolset?

Konstantinos: It definitely redefined it. We were never building just a compliance tool - from day one we've been building infrastructure for how sustainability is managed across companies. So while the regulations may zig-zag, our focus is clear: helping businesses act on what matters, not just tick boxes.

David: If anything, we’re more committed than ever. ESG managers need tools that are reliable, flexible, and built for change - because this next era will be driven by culture and leadership, not just compliance.

Looking ahead: where is ESG reporting going in the next 5 - 10 years?

Konstantinos: It’s going to get more honest, more strategic, and more embedded in the way companies run. I think we’ll move away from performative “scores” and toward richer, data-backed storytelling. Numbers will matter, but what sets companies apart is the story they tell with them and the action they take because of them.

David: ESG reporting will be fully automated where it can be - data collection, calculations, basic disclosures. But analysis, strategy, and action? That stays human. The tools will make it easier, but the leadership needs to come from inside the business.

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