Why is this important?

A data license clearly defines if and how the information in a report can be reused. While non-financial disclosures are publicly available, this does not automatically grant legal permission for reuse. To avoid confusion and legal disputes, companies should explicitly state the data license in their report.

Context:

A data license is critical for giving legal clarity, enabling reuse and showing company transparency:

1. Legal clarity - States the rights and responsibilities around the data
2. Enables reuse - Allows others to analyze, combine, or build upon the data
3. Supports transparency – Shows a company is genuinely committed to open and accountable reporting.

In short, a data license determines if the data is something others can legally use in their work.