Sustainability Performance Reporting
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Sustainability Report versus ESG Report
- Environmental impact: energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, use of natural resources, waste management, etc.
- Social responsibility: working conditions, diversity and inclusion, employee health and safety, community contributions, etc.
- Economic performance: profitability, financial stability, relations with investors and other stakeholders.
- Business model, strategy and related policies;
- Non-financial key performance indicators and target indicators;
- Corporate governance on sustainability issues;
- Dual materiality assessment, ESG risk and opportunity management;
- Environmental (including European taxonomy) and social disclosures in line with European sustainability reporting standards.
- Assessment of dual materiality [51], which adds to the complexity by the need to identify not only the company’s impact on society and the environment (impact materiality) but also how sustainability issues affect the reporting entity itself (financial materiality);
- Companies must report and assess the impacts of their own operations and production processes; this also applies to the impacts of the activities of their supply chain partners;
- The details disclosed should contain both forward-looking and retrospective information, while extending the scope to the entire value chain (the company should explain the steps taken to obtain the necessary information about its value chain, the reasons why not all the necessary information could be obtained, and its plans to obtain the necessary information in the future) [54];
- Reporting must be prepared in accordance with the EU Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which will enhance the reporting requirements [55].
- From 1 January 2024 for public interest companies with more than 500 employees with reports issued in 2025;
- From 1 January 2025 for large companies (exceeding 2 of the size criteria: more than 250 employees and/or €40 million turnover and/or €20 million total assets) with the reports being issued in 2026;
- From 1 January 2026 for listed SMEs with reports being issued in 2027.
3.2. Sustainability Measurement and Reporting
3.3. Reporting Frameworks Used in Measuring Sustainability
4. Conclusions
- Transparency and accountability—providing clear and detailed information about the impact of the organization’s activities on the environment and society as well as the governance practices adopted; this helps to increase public and investor confidence in the company.
- Performance measurement—enables the organization to measure and monitor its sustainability performance, identifying areas for improvement.
- Internal and external communications—serves as a communication tool for both internal parties (employees, management) and external parties (investors, customers, communities, regulators).
- Commitment to sustainability—demonstrates the organization’s commitment to the principles of sustainable development and its contribution to global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Investor and Customer Attractiveness—increases attractiveness to investors and customers who are increasingly interested in sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility.
- Risk management—helps identify and manage risks associated with environmental, social and governance issues, contributing to the long-term stability and viability of the organization.
- Regulatory Compliance—ensures compliance with national and international legal requirements and regulations for sustainability reporting.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Main Differences | ESG Report | Sustainability Report |
---|---|---|
Focus | The ESG report focuses on three specific pillars: environmental, social and governance. | The sustainability report takes a more holistic approach and may include, in addition to ESG aspects, information about the organization’s mission and values, long-term strategies and other aspects related to sustainable development. |
Target audience | It is particularly relevant for investors and other financial stakeholders who use this information to assess non-financial risks and opportunities. | It is aimed at a wider audience including customers, employees, local communities, NGOs and other stakeholders. |
Content | Includes detailed data and analysis on the impacts and risks associated with each of the three areas (environmental, social and governance). | It contains a wide range of information, including details of sustainability initiatives, sustainable development objectives and the overall impact of the organization on the economy, environment and society. |
Reporting framework | Use specific ESG standards and frameworks such as SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board), TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures), and corporate governance frameworks. | Use more general sustainability reporting standards such as GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) and UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals). |
Key Steps | Methods for Measuring and Reporting Sustainability |
---|---|
Setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for sustainability should cover the three main pillars: Environmental—CO2 emissions, energy consumption, water use, waste generation, biodiversity; Social—working conditions, employee health and safety, community involvement, diversity and inclusion; Economic—sustainable financial performance, supply chain transparency, ethical business practices. |
Using Frameworks and Standards | GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)—provides a comprehensive framework for sustainability performance reporting; SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board)—provides specific standards for different industries; TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)—recommends reporting on climate-related risks and opportunities; ISO 26000—provides guidance on social responsibility. |
Data Collection and Analysis | Internal and External Audits—regular assessments of sustainability performance; Sustainability Management Software—use of dedicated platforms for data collection and analysis; Stakeholder Engagement—involvement of stakeholders in data collection and feedback process. |
Reporting and Communication | Annual Sustainability Report—detailed document that includes all relevant information on sustainability performance; Integrated Reporting—combining the annual financial report with the sustainability report; Website and Public Communications—using digital platforms to share information with the general public. |
Verification and Certification | Third-Party Verification—hiring external organizations to verify and certify sustainability reports; Recognized Certifications—obtaining certifications such as ISO 14016 (environmental management) or B Corp (socially and environmentally responsible business certification). |
Continuous Improvement | Review and Improve Indicators—periodically adjusting KPIs and methodologies according to technological and market developments; Stakeholder Feedback—using feedback to improve practices and reporting. |
Criteria | Sustainability Policy |
---|---|
Sustainability Governance | Leadership and Accountability—establish a clear governance structure for sustainability with defined roles and responsibilities at senior management level. |
Sustainability Strategy | Planning and Targets—defining a clear sustainability strategy with measurable objectives and deadlines for achieving them. |
Legal and Regulatory Compliance | Regulatory Compliance—ensuring compliance with all relevant environmental, labor, and governance laws and regulations. |
Resource Management | Resource Efficiency—optimizing the use of natural resources, such as energy, water, and materials, to minimize environmental impact. |
Reducing Emissions and Pollution | Emission Control—implementing measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. |
Waste Management | Waste Reduction and Recycling—developing effective waste reduction strategies, promoting recycling and responsible management of hazardous waste. |
Social Responsibility | Employee Rights and Working Conditions—ensuring respect for employee rights, promoting equality and diversity and maintaining safe and healthy working conditions. |
Commitment to the Community | Community Involvement—contributing to the well-being of local communities through social, educational, and environmental initiatives. |
Innovation and Sustainable Development | Innovation for Sustainability—investing in research and development to create innovative solutions that support sustainability. |
Transparency and Reporting | Communicating and Reporting Progress—ensuring transparent communication with all stakeholders and regular reporting on progress toward sustainability objectives. |
Energy Efficiency | Energy Use Reduction—implementing measures and technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption in all operations. |
Use of Renewable Sources | Green Energy—promotion and use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. |
Responsible Procurement | Sustainable Supply Chain—selecting and working with suppliers that meet sustainability and ethical standards, ensuring responsible procurement practices. |
Eco-design and Product Innovation | Design for the Environment—developing products and services that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from concept to disposal. |
Education and Awareness | Training and Information—investing in education and training programs for employees and other stakeholders on sustainability principles and practices. |
Collaboration and Partnerships | Joint Initiatives—working with other organizations, governments, NGOs and communities to develop and implement sustainable solutions locally and globally. |
Risk Management | Risk Identification and Management—assessing and managing risks associated with the environment, climate change and other sustainability issues that may affect the business. |
Adapting to Climate Change | Resilience and Adaptation—developing strategies and measures to increase the organization’s resilience to the effects of climate change and to adapt to new climatic conditions. |
Circular Economy | Promoting the Circular Economy—implementing practices that support the circular economy, including reducing resource consumption, reusing materials and recycling. |
Performance Measurement and Improvement | Performance Indicators—establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor and evaluate progress in achieving sustainability objectives and to implement continuous improvement. |
Reporting | Contents |
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GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) [67,73] | It is an essential tool for organizations wishing to communicate their impact on sustainability issues such as environment, society and governance. A typical GRI report includes information on corporate governance and management structure; data on economic impact, such as financial contributions and indirect economic impact; data on environmental impact, including emissions, resource use and waste management; and information on social issues, including working conditions, human rights, and community engagement. |
IIRC (International Integrated Reporting Council) [74,75] | It focuses on integrating financial and non-financial information to provide a complete picture of an organization’s performance. This type of reporting helps companies communicate how their strategy, governance, performance and outlook lead to value creation in the short, medium and long term. The main elements of an IIRC sustainability report include a description of the company, its activities and the external context in which it operates; the governance structure and how it supports long-term value creation; a presentation of the organization’s business model, including the key resources and relationships used to create value; the identification and management of risks and opportunities that could affect the ability to create value; a description of the strategy and how resources are allocated to achieve strategic objectives; financial and non-financial performance measurement, including sustainability indicators; the organization’s future prospects and how they could influence the ability to create value; and the principles and methods used to collect and present information in the report. |
SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) [22,76] | Provides a framework for reporting sustainability performance by industry. The SASB Sustainability Report helps companies disclose relevant information to investors on the financial impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. The structure of a SASB sustainability report includes company description; general company background, mission, vision, and values; commitment to sustainability; governance structure; policies and practices; identification of material topics; reporting methodology; environmental indicators; social indicators; governance indicators; strategy and risk management; financial performance and outlook. |
TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) [77,78] | It is a global initiative that provides a framework for companies and financial organizations to disclose climate change risks and opportunities. The TCFD Report has four main pillars: Governance—details the oversight and management of climate change risks and opportunities by company management; Strategy—identifies short, medium and long-term climate risks and opportunities and their impact on company strategy and financial planning; Risk Management—describes the processes for identifying, assessing and managing climate risks; Metrics and Targets—specifies the indicators used to assess and manage climate change risks and opportunities and the targets set to monitor progress. |
ISO 26000 [30,79] | Is an international standard providing guidelines for social responsibility. It was published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2010. Unlike other ISO standards, it is not a certification standard but rather a guidance document. It aims to help organizations understand and implement socially responsible behavior, addressing seven core subjects:organizational governance; human rights; labor practices; environment; fair operating practices; consumer issues; community involvement and development. |
ISO 14016 [31] | Is an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMSs). It provides a framework for organizations to protect the environment, respond to changing environmental conditions, and enhance environmental performance. Key elements of ISO 14016 include environmental policy; planning; implementation and operation; checking and corrective action; management review. |
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© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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Rusu, T.M.; Odagiu, A.; Pop, H.; Paulette, L. Sustainability Performance Reporting. Sustainability 2024, 16, 8538. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198538
Rusu TM, Odagiu A, Pop H, Paulette L. Sustainability Performance Reporting. Sustainability. 2024; 16(19):8538. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198538
Chicago/Turabian StyleRusu, Teodora Maria, Antonia Odagiu, Horia Pop, and Laura Paulette. 2024. "Sustainability Performance Reporting" Sustainability 16, no. 19: 8538. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198538