Do lengthy, static ESG reports feel like a chore to read? Struggling to find what you need on all those pages? If the rigid layout of a PDF report makes you yawn, you're not alone. The truth is, static documents just don’t engage digital audiences. In fact, The Guardian reports that over 30% of the World Bank's PDF reports are never even downloaded.
How Interactivity Elevates Your ESG Report
A well-designed online report with a clear information hierarchy, pull-outs, case studies, and infographics will definitely help readers absorb your stories quickly and grasp your key messages. But today’s online users expect even more—they crave snackable authentic content and interactivity.
Whether it’s scrolling through animated sections or clicking on dynamic case studies, interactive elements bring ESG data to life. They make your report memorable. Animated graphs, maps, and hotspot images do an even better job of breaking down complex information into digestible pieces while relaying salient aspects of your ESG programs. Such interactions make the report much more skimmable, allowing stakeholders to focus on the information that matters most to them. Additionally, videos create an emotional connection and take viewers on a brand journey. Who said that sustainable reporting was dull?
In short, interactivity turns your online ESG report into a powerful storytelling tool, driving deeper engagement and leaving a lasting impression.
ESG Reports as Immersive Digital Experiences
Improvements in design tools—including more powerful browsers and digital storytelling platforms—are allowing for immersive, interactive, and fully responsive reading experiences that far surpass what can be achieved with a static PDF.
Today we can create microsites that integrate multimedia elements into the heart of your ESG report. These microsites enable your stakeholders to explore the content at their own pace, diving into interactive timelines, viewing animated graphs, and engaging with video testimonials from key executives or community members.
This form of digital storytelling is much more effective. But why so few companies are embracing adapting their ESG reports for the web in this way?
Budget and Creative Process Limitations of Building These Experiences
In fact, two major issues prevent everyone from creating immersive digital ESG reports: budget and time.
Developing a full-scale microsite or digital experience requires a significant financial investment, not to mention the time and resources needed to produce high-quality content.
Engaging developers, web designers, and digital project managers in addition to the standard print team of copywriters and graphic designers can quickly become complex and very expensive. Additionally, managing a separate website for your ESG report may not be practical for every organization, especially those with smaller sustainability or communications teams.
Fortunately, there’s a middle ground—a solution that balances creativity with budget constraints while delivering a high-impact digital experience.
The Solution: Interactive Digital Storytelling for Print-First ESG Reports
At Red Rocket Creative, we’ve developed a solution that merges the best of both worlds: interactive no-code ESG reports designed to enhance your print-first documents. By adding multimedia elements like videos, animations, and interactive data points directly into a digital extension of your print report, we can create an engaging experience without the need for a fully separate microsite. You can embed an interactive PDF into your existing website or publish it under it’s own URL.
This approach allows companies to continue producing print-first ESG reports—important for regulatory or archival purposes—while still embracing the power of digital storytelling. Our no-code design process makes it easy to incorporate multimedia and interactive features seamlessly, ensuring that your ESG report is visually appealing and cost-effective.
With this solution, you can:
- Enhance print-first documents with interactive features
- Avoid the high costs and time investment of building a full microsite
- Own the content without relying on third-party platforms
- Deliver a skimmable, engaging report that resonates with stakeholders
Incorporating interactive elements into your ESG reporting not only increases stakeholder engagement but also helps differentiate your company in a crowded market. By investing in interactive no-code ESG reports, you're not just sharing data—you’re telling a story that resonates, builds trust, and inspires action.
Are you interested in transforming your print-first ESG report into an engaging digital experience? Let's connect and explore your options!
Angela Dallin
Creative Director Angela takes every project through a demanding creative process, beginning with research and analysis, continuing to brainstorming and conceptualization, before presenting her design solution. She is a highly creative and pragmatic team player. With a broad range of creative experience, Angela has the ability to see even the most difficult design challenge to completion.
