Understanding the purpose of a sustainability report will be the initial step in figuring out whether or not or not this reporting tool is helpful or essential for the business or organization.
There is, understandably, much confusion surrounding the overall purpose of a sustainability report. Some consultants and executives argue that sustainability reporting is pure image management - little more than a trumped-up public relations effort designed to satisfy the droves of environmentally aware members of the public dedicated to ferreting out gross polluters and lambasting them in the public square. Companies going green realize that sustainability reporting is a financial tool designed to wean corporations off the use of non-renewable energy sources and increase ecological awareness at the management level, leading to increased revenues by lowering energy consumption and expenses across the board.
In truth, each views are partially accurate. Sustainability reporting may be a monetary tool, and may impact the bottom line in positive methods. Recycling drives and reductions in power consumption will inarguably bring down costs, and thereby maximize earnings. But correctly crafted and implemented sustainability reports are also a boon for the corporate image, revealing to the public an internal desire at the management level to align using the common good and function toward a more healthy, cleaner planet. They're also a critical and vital component in accurate sustainability education.
Whilst international efforts are underway to standardize sustainability reporting - at last check, the United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund had been all operating diligently to create corporate and organizational standards that may be fairly applied to big corporations about the globe. Furthermore, the Global Reporting Initiative is creating headway in filling this need, nevertheless, as of however, you will find no typical and absolute standards that define the contents of a sustainability report.
While this grants a certain amount of freedom for companies and executives to self-define ecological efforts, there is also a danger that such efforts will leave important area unaddressed, leading to a public relations backlash that can be seen as incompetent, or even malevolent, by one of the many environmental watchdog groups keeping an eye on corporate interests.
Prior to expending time and resources on your sustainability report, make sure to download and examine our free Sustainability Guide for a couple of suggestions on what ought to and ought to not be integrated in your final report.
There is, understandably, much confusion surrounding the overall purpose of a sustainability report. Some consultants and executives argue that sustainability reporting is pure image management - little more than a trumped-up public relations effort designed to satisfy the droves of environmentally aware members of the public dedicated to ferreting out gross polluters and lambasting them in the public square. Companies going green realize that sustainability reporting is a financial tool designed to wean corporations off the use of non-renewable energy sources and increase ecological awareness at the management level, leading to increased revenues by lowering energy consumption and expenses across the board.
In truth, each views are partially accurate. Sustainability reporting may be a monetary tool, and may impact the bottom line in positive methods. Recycling drives and reductions in power consumption will inarguably bring down costs, and thereby maximize earnings. But correctly crafted and implemented sustainability reports are also a boon for the corporate image, revealing to the public an internal desire at the management level to align using the common good and function toward a more healthy, cleaner planet. They're also a critical and vital component in accurate sustainability education.
Whilst international efforts are underway to standardize sustainability reporting - at last check, the United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund had been all operating diligently to create corporate and organizational standards that may be fairly applied to big corporations about the globe. Furthermore, the Global Reporting Initiative is creating headway in filling this need, nevertheless, as of however, you will find no typical and absolute standards that define the contents of a sustainability report.
While this grants a certain amount of freedom for companies and executives to self-define ecological efforts, there is also a danger that such efforts will leave important area unaddressed, leading to a public relations backlash that can be seen as incompetent, or even malevolent, by one of the many environmental watchdog groups keeping an eye on corporate interests.
Prior to expending time and resources on your sustainability report, make sure to download and examine our free Sustainability Guide for a couple of suggestions on what ought to and ought to not be integrated in your final report.
About the Author:
Oliver David contributes articles for CompaniesGoingGreen.net and other websites on topics like sustainability education.
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