Sustainability reporting

Leaf - sustainability (green)

Background

Company boards, executives, and management are investing more and more time and resources on issues of sustainability - such as carbon (greenhouse gas emissions), energy efficient technology, water use, cleantech, and biodiversity, to name just a few. An important part of the global push towards sustainability practices involves a need to account for, and report on, sustainability - sometimes referred to as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting.

On this page, we maintain a history of developments in sustainability reporting requirements and practices, tracking its gradual adoption on both a voluntary and mandatory basis.

 

IFRS Foundation Trustees' sustainability reporting initiative and ISSB

In the context of their periodic strategy review, the IFRS Foundation Trustees published a consultation paper in September 2020 to determine:

  • whether there is a need for global sustainability standards;
  • whether the IFRS Foundation should play a role in developing such standards; and
  • what the scope of that role could be.

Feedback to the consultation confirmed an urgent need for global sustainability reporting standards and support for the Foundation to play a role in their development.

We have a dedicated page for the Trustees' initiative.

In addition, please see our resource page for the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) that was created as a result of the Trustees' initiative.

 

Organisations involved in sustainability reporting

Value Reporting Foundation (VRF)

The Value Reporting Foundation (VRF) is the merged entity of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). It was established in June 2021 to provide investors and corporates with a comprehensive corporate reporting framework across the full range of enterprise value drivers and standards to drive global sustainability performance.

The VRF has three key resources: Integrated Thinking Principles, the Integrated Reporting Framework (<IR> Framework) and the SASB Standards.

  • <IR> Framework: Integrated reporting is a process founded on integrated thinking for communicating how an organisation’s strategy, governance, performance and prospects lead to the creation of value in the short, medium and long term.

    We have a dedicated page for the <IR> Framework.

  • SASB Standards: Standards for disclosure of sustainability information to investors, by sector. SASB Standards identify issues most relevant to enterprise value creation across 77 industries


Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) promotes the use of sustainability reporting as a way for organisations to become more sustainable and contribute to a sustainable global economy. It is an international not-for-profit organisation, with a network-based structure.

GRI’s mission is to make sustainability reporting standard practice. To enable all companies and organisations to report their economic, environmental, social and governance performance, GRI produces free Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.

We have a dedicated page for the GRI.


Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB)

The Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) seeks to promote and advance climate change-related disclosure in mainstream reports through the development of a global framework for corporate reporting on climate change.

We have a dedicated page for the CDSB.


United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a global partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the financial sector. Over 190 institutions, including banks, insurers and fund managers, work with UNEP to understand the impacts of environmental and social considerations on financial performance. Through its Climate Change Working Group (CCWG), UNEP FI identifies the roles of the finance sector in addressing climate change, and advances the integration of climate change factors - both risks and opportunities - into financial decision-making. This is done through a work programme encompassing research, training, events and regional activities.

The UNEP FI website can be accessed at www.unepfi.org.


Deloitte sustainability and climate change resources

Deloitte, in collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), offers a dedicated climate change website and video learning programme. The joint initiative is designed to help businesses and finance professionals learn more about tackling climate change. Therefore, the website offers video learning resources, setting out the impact that climate change is having on humanity and business equipping businesses to implement change, manage risks and take advantage of the challenges and opportunities created by climate change. A key feature of the programme is learning about considerations for financial statements and how to translate climate change effects into tangible measurements. In addition, the website offers interviews with key drivers of climate action in business and links to additional resources and guidance.

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