Reporting - Real-time ESG insights inside Xero to help small businesses understand their impact
Small businesses increasingly want to understand the environmental and social impact of their spending — but ESG tools are complex, expensive, and built for large enterprises.
Xero is uniquely placed to change that.
Idea:
Embed lightweight, real-time ESG context directly into Xero, so small businesses can understand the impact behind everyday transactions — without extra systems or reporting burden.
What this could look like:
• ESG indicators at transaction or supplier level (e.g. climate, labour, governance risk)
• Simple, plain-English insights alongside payments and invoices
• Optional summaries over time (e.g. “This quarter’s spend impact”)
• No scores to manage — just context and transparency
Why it matters:
• Helps small businesses make more informed choices
• Supports growing interest in B Corp and responsible business
• Turns accounting data into decision-making insight, not just compliance
• Aligns strongly with Xero’s purpose of helping small businesses thrive
I’ve created a short 50-second concept video showing how this could sit naturally inside Xero:
https://legacymedia.uk/xero
This feels like a logical next step alongside initiatives such as UNA and Xero’s broader sustainability direction.
Andrew Power
shared this idea
Hi Andrew , thanks for raising this idea here. We understand the business need to report on environmental and social impact for your business. For this reason, we're moving this idea to gain more support from the community. Now it's upto the community to get behind it and support it. Feel free to share this idea with your friends and colleagues who would also benefit from this feature being added on so they can share their thoughts and add on a vote as well! :)
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Andrew Power
commented
Hi Sonal — thanks for the update, really appreciate it being moved to Gaining Support.
Quick question: for people who don’t currently have a Xero account (for example advisers, sustainability consultants, or businesses considering Xero), is there a way for them to add support or register interest without needing to log in?
I’m keen to share this more widely and want to make sure everyone who would benefit is able to have their voice counted.
Thanks again,
Andrew