LOADING

Type to search

Momentum Builds for Corporate ESG Reporting and Assurance, Yet Disclosure Inconsistencies Linger, Study Finds

Momentum Builds for Corporate ESG Reporting and Assurance, Yet Disclosure Inconsistencies Linger, Study Finds

  • Third Report from IFAC and AICPA & CIMA Identifies Sustainability Trends and Progress over Three-Year Span.

The largest global companies continue to show momentum on corporate reporting and related assurance involving environmental, social and governance issues, according to a new report from the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and AICPA & CIMA, the latter two of which form the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. Significant hurdles remain, however, when it comes to providing consistent, comparable and high-quality sustainability information for investors and lenders.

Some 95% of large companies reported on ESG matters in 2021, the latest year available, the IFAC-AICPA & CIMA study found. That’s up from 91% in 2019. Sixty-four percent of companies obtained assurance over at least some ESG information in 2021, up from 51% in 2019. The inability so far to coalesce around agreed upon global standards continues to create challenges, however.

“Even as we see companies increasingly report on ESG and sustainability, the data we’re tracking reveals continuing fragmentation around the world in terms of which standards and frameworks are used,” noted IFAC CEO Kevin Dancey. “Eighty-six percent of companies use multiple standards and frameworks. This patchwork system does not support consistent, comparable, and reliable reporting. Importantly, it also does not provide the necessary foundation for globally consistent, high-quality sustainability assurance.”

The report also examines the extent to which companies provide forward-looking information on emissions reduction targets and plans. While two-thirds of companies disclosed targets, they lag the rate at which companies report their historic greenhouse gas emissions (97%).

“Steady increases in reporting and assurance are significant, yet more companies need to take the additional step to obtain assurance to build trust and confidence in what they report,” said Susan Coffey, AICPA & CIMA’s CEO of public accounting. “Our profession’s role in providing that assurance is crucial. CPAs have unquestioned competence, professional judgment and operate within a robust system built with public protection in mind. We should be the clear choice for instilling trust and value in ESG data around the world.”

Source: AICPA & CIMA

Topics

Related Articles

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LOADING

Type to search

Blog

GameChange Solar Brings Utility-Scale Tracker Technology to New Zealand
Monsoon Wind Powers Up 600 MW, First Cross-Border Wind Farm in Asia
Hong Kong Positions Itself as Global Hub as 90% of Family Offices Integrate ESG
Enfinity Global Secures $341M to Build 276 MW of Solar Projects in Italy
thyssenkrupp Nucera Acquires Green Hydrogen Systems Assets
Neuberger Berman Joins Blackstone in Backing Sustainability Software Provider Sphera
Ghana, Singapore Forge Sustainable Development and Carbon Market Partnership
Diginex, SGS Strengthen Alliance to Scale Sustainable Finance Solutions
Iberdrola España Starts Commissioning of €200M Ciudad Rodrigo Solar Plant
Protecting Nature Could Unlock Growth and Jobs, Says World Bank Report
image of the Triibe team on stage during event
Trump Administration Cuts $679 Million in Offshore Wind Funding
Thailand’s Tourism Authority Drives ESG Tourism to Boost Community Income, Global Recognition
PepsiCo Reports 2024 Progress on pep+ Sustainability and Nutrition Goals
RBI to Integrate Climate Resilience into India’s Financial System
BlackRock, LGIM Face $34 Billion Loss in Dutch Pension Shift
Denmark to Launch EU-Standard Green Bonds, Raising the Bar for Sovereign Issuance
RMI Welcomes 18 Climate Tech Innovators to Drive Global Decarbonization
Rolls-Royce, Microsoft Back HVO as Low-Carbon Fuel for Singapore Data Centres
Temasek’s GenZero Commits to Climate Impact Milestone by 2028
","session_id":"ep-sess-1760514516-zje5D7Ub","page_url":"https:\/\/esgnews.com\/momentum-builds-for-corporate-esg-reporting-and-assurance-yet-disclosure-inconsistencies-linger-study-finds\/","post_id":"18747","tracking_enabled":"1","original_referrer":"","has_embedded_content":""}; /* ]]> */