22 May 2012
By Wright Communications
A growing number of organisations have policies in place to be socially and environmentally responsible, and to ensure the long-term economic viability. But few organisations report their warts and all corporate responsibility (CR) performance.
Public reporting requires a commitment from an organisation's leadership. To be done correctly, reporting needs measurement and data collecting systems to be in place, resources to monitor the results, and resources to compile and publish a report (either in print or on-line).
Sustainability reporting is on the rise globally, and becoming mandatory in some industries, but there are still naysayers who question its value.
The KPMG International Survey of Corporate Responsibility Reporting 2011 stated that "companies are increasingly realising that CR reporting is about more than just being a good corporate citizen; it drives innovation and promotes learning, which helps companies grow their business and increase their organisation's value."
The survey
noted 95 per cent of the 250 largest companies in the world (G250
companies) now report on their corporate responsibility (CR)
activities. Interestingly, two-thirds of non-reporters are based in
the US.
It also said: "Traditional CR reporting nations in Europe continue
to see the highest reporting rates, but the Americas and the Middle
East and Africa region are quickly gaining ground. Only around half
of Asia Pacific companies report on their CR activities."
Though some companies devise and maintain specific methods of reporting, very few have strategic and long term sustainability goals, primarily due to lack of direction or expert advice.
Wright
Communications is a specialist in CR - helping its clients plan,
develop and write sustainability reports using the gold standard
international framework Global Reporting Initiative G3.1
Guidelines.
Our years of experience in producing clients' sustainability
reports to global best practise standards means we can also
challenge them to increase their corporate responsibility, and this
has been a huge benefit to clients which have committed to
producing reports.
Sustainability reporting's importance as a management tool for businesses cannot be underestimated. The reporting process assists companies to analyse their business, note areas in which they perform poorly, and act accordingly.
There are
also a number of investors, including managed funds, which analyse
the CR performance of potential targets for their capital, and
public CR reporting is a great way to attract them.
But above all, CR reporting shows all stakeholder, including
customers, suppliers, and potential business partners, that an
organisation is willing to report on its social, economic and
environmental impacts. That is incredibly valuable.
Give us a call, send us a message or call in and see us. We’d love to hear from you.