Weekly Highlights - What makes for a good sustainability report? And why aren't you reading them!?

The reports are in! This week, I’m chatting with McKenzie about some of the sustainability reports that have come across our desks lately. We’re exploring the question, “What makes a good sustainability report good?” Data, scope of reporting, and transparency all play key roles, but not all sustainability reports are built the same. Like we always say, it depends! And PS, these reports aren’t just for investors!

This is a high-level chat to remind consumers to check out all the initiatives companies have going on, challenge them to do more, and to get involved in the process. And Brands/Companies!? Time to get your employees and customers engaged with these reports.

On the video version of this talk, we’re screen-sharing reports from: New Balance, Levi’s, Reformation, and Boardriders.

Topic Links:

HBR Designing Your SUstainability Report (Choosing the bests standards):

https://hbr.org/2022/01/designing-your-companys-sustainability-report

Boardriders Sustainability Report: Link: https://www.boardriders.com/wp-content/uploads/CSR-pdf/Boardriders-ESG-CSR-Report-2020-2021.pdf

New Balance 2022 Sustainability Report: Link here: https://www.newbalance.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-NBUS-NBCA/default/dw87610e36/pdf/New_Balance_Sustainability_and_Impact_Report_2022.pdf

Reformation Q4 2022 Sustainability Report: Link: https://www.thereformation.com/sustainability-report-q4-2022.html

Levi’s 2021 Sustainability Report: Link: https://www.levistrauss.com/sustainability-report/

Key Takeaways:

• There are different reporting frameworks, including GRI, SASB, and many more
• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are typically included in sustainability reports
• Brands & companies need to get creative (and aggressive) if they want to engage more non-investor types in the experience
• Companies are at various stages of their sustainability journey, so expect the same when it comes to the robustness of their reports (if they even have one)

Links Mentioned:

Reckitt 2022 Sustainability Report: Link: https://www.reckitt.com/media/5qbh523b/annual-report-2022.pdf

BSR Five Steps to Good Sustainability Reporting: Link: https://www.bsr.org/en/reports/five-steps-to-good-sustainability-reporting

Global Reporting Initiative: Link: https://www.globalreporting.org/

SASB Framework: Link: https://www.sasb.org/

Mars Sustainability Report 2022: Link: https://www.mars.com/news-and-stories/articles/2020-sustainability-progress

Also:

Last week’s show - Be sure to check out my interview with Theresa McKenney, Sustainability Director at NEMO Equipment Company: https://www.theunderswell.com/podcasts/good-things-happening-just-under-the-surface/episodes/2147971484

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Looking for more structured sustainability learning? Check out our School of Understanding. Link here: https://www.theunderswell.com/pkgs

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#sustainability #reporting #csr #esg #climate #sustainabilityreporting #transparency #keeplearning #socialimpacts #environmentalimpacts #responsiblebusiness #data #triplebottomline #climateaction

Intro/Outro music by QubeSounds from Pixabay.

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