Hundreds of companies skipped publishing sustainability reports in 2025

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🗞️ Driving the news: Hundreds of U.S. companies have skipped publishing sustainability reports in 2025, marking the first decline in such reports over the five years the survey has been conducted, according to recent survey
• This drop is largely attributed to small and medium-sized businesses opting out of sustainability disclosures due to reduced investor pressure and growing concerns about greenwashing risks

🔭 The context: A survey of 3,000 U.S. businesses revealed a 17% fall in the number of companies publishing their sustainability reports
• The Russell 3000 index, which includes 98% of the investible U.S. equities market, showed a significant decrease in sustainability disclosures, from 1,739 reports in 2024 to 1,444 reports in 2025

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The decline in sustainability reporting could signal a setback in the transparency of corporate climate efforts
• With less investor pressure and increased legal risks, companies may reduce their commitments to measurable sustainability practices, potentially affecting global climate targets

⏭️ What’s next: The shift away from reporting raises questions about how future regulations and market pressures will influence companies' environmental accountability
• With the greenwashing risk becoming more prominent, a revised approach to corporate sustainability reporting may be needed to maintain momentum on climate action

💬 One quote: “CEOs and C-suites are asking, ‘Why continue to do this? Do you get the return from the investment?’” — Andrew Jones, principal researcher at The Conference Board

📈 One stat: The number of sustainability reports published by Russell 3000 companies in 2025 dropped by 17%, marking the first fall in the five years the survey has been running

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