Reporting Exchange Newsletter – the latest in ESG reporting
For our last newsletter of 2018, we have chosen to highlight two important reviews of corporate sustainability reporting as well as reports calling for the unlocking of an “ambition loop” between business and government towards decarbonization and the stepping up of action around income inequality. We hope you have happy holidays and see you in the New Year!
Fast-tracking zero-carbon growth
In a new joint paper, UN Global Compact, We Mean Business and the World Resources Institute have explored how government and business may push each other to accelerate the pace and scale of decarbonization, what the authors have called the “ambition loop”. Focusing efforts made by companies and governments in electric power, transportation, and land and forests, the report believes that to ensure these efforts go further and faster, policymakers need to add clarity with specific rules and timelines and build confidence with strong market signals and certainty. You can read the full report here.
First steps for non-financial reporting
With the first year of reporting now complete, the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) and CDP have analyzed how the top 80 companies in Europe have responded to the EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), a recent standout sustainability reporting requirement. The researchers looked at how companies disclosed environmental and climate change information in response to the regulation and though there was evidence of good first steps, they felt the regulators could develop the NFRD to better serve companies and investors. Key to this, they suggest, is incorporating the TCFD Recommendation. You can analyze all their findings and find out more about the policy recommendations here.
Investing for greater equality
A new joint report by UN PRI and The Investment Integration Project (TIIP) explores why and how investors can respond to income inequality. The paper addresses three themes that they believe are material to long-term investors: employee relations and the structure of labor markets; corporate tax policies and practices; and levels of CEO compensation. For each of these themes, the authors look at how investors might encourage the emergence of new frameworks that can address the issues and be more appropriate for the 21st century. You can explore the full report here.
The best for 2018
In their seventh annual survey of reporting, Works Design have studied and analyzed the reports of over 100 global corporate sustainability leaders. Looking at these disclosures through the lens of integration, SDGs, storytelling and digital strategy, to name a few, the research offers developing trends, examples of best practice and strategic viewpoints for reporters and users. You can check out an overview of the reporting trends and download the full research here.
Revised 303 & 403 GRI Standards
Listen to WBCSD’s and GRI’s webinar on the launch of the revised versions of GRI 303: Water and Effluents and GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety. These revised standards represent best practice in water stewardship and occupational health and safety management and reporting. Listen in here.