· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Trellis or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Writing sustainability reports is becoming increasingly complex, with the average report reaching 83 pages in 2024, a 20% increase over three years
• Experts advise companies to focus on clear audience targeting, early collaboration with contributors, and strict content control to avoid overly lengthy reports
• Transparency and honesty—especially about failures—are also key to making reports more engaging and credible
🔭 The context: As sustainability regulations and stakeholder expectations rise, companies must navigate multiple reporting frameworks, investor demands, and greenwashing concerns
• Reports that acknowledge shortcomings and areas for improvement, like Atlassian’s transparency on rising emissions, are seen as more effective in building trust
• Best practices include concise storytelling, upfront summaries, and well-organized layouts, as seen in reports from Canada Goose, Target, and Levi Strauss
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: High-quality sustainability reports enhance corporate accountability and transparency, helping investors and stakeholders assess real climate progress
• Poorly structured or overly promotional reports can undermine trust and slow climate action
• More honest, data-driven reporting can lead to stronger sustainability commitments and better corporate decision-making
⏭️ What's next: Companies will continue refining their reporting strategies, balancing regulatory compliance with stakeholder engagement
• Trends may shift toward shorter, more digestible formats, integrating climate transition plans and financial-style disclosures
• The rise of AI and automation in ESG reporting could also help streamline the process
💬 One quote: “Communications is a way to establish trust with all your stakeholders, and that can only be done if you are transparent, provide the right context, and explain things properly.” – Remston Martis, Works Design
📈 One stat: In 2024, the longest sustainability report analyzed in a study of 250 large companies reached 211 pages, highlighting the growing complexity and detail required in corporate ESG disclosures
See here detailed sustainability performances of Atlassian, Levi Strauss, and Target
Click for more news covering the latest on corporate sustainability
