A new report from the Environment Agency has found that 98% of companies listed on the FTSE All-Share Index now mention the environment in their annual reports. Published in October, EnvironmentalDisclosures shows that the amount of companies that publish audited environmental disclosures has risen from 10% in 2004 to 35% for the year ending March 31, 2007.
However, the analysis further found that only 29% of companies reported quantified figures on energy use or other related topics and that only 15% reported on one of the KPI’s recommended by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The agency is concerned that the level of quantitative disclosure on risks and opportunities that are material to shareholders and investors is still low and wants more firms to adopt government guidelines on this.
The research was carried out by Trucost, the environmental research organisation, on behalf of the EA and will be repeated in 2009/2010.
The Guardian newspaper published its 2007 sustainability report, Living our values, in November. The report makes for interesting reading due to its inclusion of a large section on sustainability coverage, which includes case studies and examples of relevant stories the paper has covered.
AccountAbility, the sustainable development think tank, released its 2006/2007 annual report on October 29. AccountAbility Accounts is a combined report which provides disclosure on both financial as well non-financial performance. Extensive use of AA1000 and GRI3 standards is made and the report is an effort to “achieve the best practice we advocate to others”.
Diageo, the beverage producer, published its fifth corporate citizenship annual report in September. It details Diageo’s achievements over the last 10 years and considers some of the challenges that may lie ahead.
Office Depot, the office supplies firm, released its 2007 corporate citizenship report on September 26 called Fulfilling our vision – living our values. The report makes reference to the GRI guidelines.
Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company, has released its 2007 corporate responsibility report, Strong Actions: Partnering for positive change. Pfizer declares that its key priorities “are finding cures and treatments, investing in health and strengthening patient safety”.
Volkswagen’s 2007 group sustainability report, We are moving into the future responsibly, is the car manufacturing group’s second sustainability report and was published on September 12. The report claims to be reliable and “self-critical” in its assessment of its achievements so far.
The new corporate responsibility report from British Nuclear Fuels, the nuclear energy business, has been released and was independently assured by Ernst & Young, who recommend there could be greater coverage of the mechanisms that govern corporate responsibility at BNFL.
The fifth annual corporate responsibility report from Crest Nicholson, the residential property developers, has been released. Striking the balance between economic, social and environmental responsibilities details how Crest Nicholson have a new emissions reduction strategy and have been engaging with customers on sustainable lifestyles.
Sun Microsystems, the technology company, released its new CSR report on October 4. Highlights include that the company is committed to openness and transparency and how the company received a 10 out of 10 rating by Governance Metrics International.
Contact Sun Microsystems 01171 628 3000 www.sun.com
West LB
Financial services firm West LB has released its Asking Questions 2007 Sustainability Report.
The operator of the National Lottery, Camelot, published its 2007 corporate responsibility report on October 26. The report is its eighth annual CSR report and this year’s theme is Putting responsibility first. Highlights include best ever results on its efforts to prevent underage gambling and reducing CO2 emissions by 29%.
British Energy, the UK-based energy generator, published its fourth CSR report in August but there have technical difficulties with ordering hard copies of the report. The company has announced that the hard copy of the report is now available and that people should place their orders again.
Leading supplier of bauxite and aluminium, Alcan, has published its 2007 Corporate Sustainability Report. Announced in October, the report is web-based and includes a GRI index. Alcan has recently been acquired by Rio Tinto, the international mining company.
FCC, one of Spain’s leading construction and service groups, updated its 2005-2006 corporate responsibility report. The report focuses on topics such as health and safety, community development and the environment. Evaluated by the independent third party Global Reporting Initiative the report received an A+.
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