Sustainability not a priority for half of UK firms As COP29 continues (11-22 November), analysis from business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP reveals that fewer than half (43%) of UK mid-sized businesses have sustainability targets, such as net zero, in place. According to data from the firm’s quarterly International Business Report, which surveyed 301 mid-sized businesses in the UK (3,748 businesses globally), only 43% of UK businesses have sustainability targets in place, this is found to be higher than the global average (39%). While many of the UK firms surveyed have still not implemented core steps on their sustainability journey, they are outperforming the global average in several areas including: 🌍 60% have implemented a sustainability strategy (51% globally) 🌍 46% have implemented sustainability reporting (40% globally) 🌍 28% have implemented a sustainability policy (25% globally) The study shows that there are several challenges facing UK mid-sized businesses when complying with sustainability regulations. Top concerns are: 💡 The speed at which requirements change 💡 The capital investment 💡 Understanding the requirements for different jurisdictions Three-quarters of the firms polled – in the UK and globally – agreed that the need to understand the sustainability requirements of different jurisdictions forms a barrier to international business expansion. However, almost two-thirds (63%) of the UK businesses polled expect to maintain or increase their investment in sustainability over the next year - above the global (58%) and European (53%) average – to invest in renewable energy, carbon reduction and sustainable procurement. 💡 Brand reputation is identified as the biggest driver behind UK and global businesses’ investment and focus on sustainability initiatives.
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🌱💰 𝐔𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝟕𝟎% 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 #𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 In late 2024, EnterpriseSG will partner with appointed sustainability service providers to launch a new programme that enables SMEs to develop their first #sustainability report. The programme will be available for three years and up to 70% of the cost will be offset by EnterpriseSG in the first year. The offset for next two years goes up to 50%. If your business has an annual revenue of S$100 million and above, you may be eligible for the new Sustainability Reporting Grant, which will cover up to 30% of qualifying costs, capped at S$150,000 per company, for developing first sustainability report. ➡️ Want to jump onto the #green wagon and tap on the programme or grant? Drop us a message: https://lnkd.in/gHuaqpcK
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Sustainability reporting is only meaningful if companies are serious about making changes If companies release sustainability reports just to meet regulatory requirements, it’s unlikely to motivate improvement internally, say these professors from the University of Victoria and University of Calgary. Summary: Sustainability reporting is only impactful if companies genuinely commit to making changes, argue professors from the University of Victoria and the University of Calgary. The growing demand for corporate transparency and accountability highlights the need for businesses to disclose their economic, environmental, and social performance through sustainability reports. These reports are designed to offer stakeholders, such as investors and regulators, a comprehensive view of how companies create value over time. Mandatory sustainability reporting is increasing globally, with examples like Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program and the European Union’s comprehensive sustainability mandates. However, the effectiveness of these reports in driving actual business practice improvements is debated. Some experts believe that including non-financial data enhances corporate transparency and accountability, potentially aiding progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Despite the potential benefits, sustainability reports often become mere box-checking exercises if they are produced solely to satisfy external requirements. For real improvements, companies need to use these reports to identify internal areas for enhancement and benchmark against peers. Ultimately, the impact of sustainability reporting depends on the genuine commitment of companies to change their practices. Investors benefit from the additional information, which aids in better investment decisions. However, concerns about the trustworthiness of these reports and issues like greenwashing remain significant challenges. Public policymakers can gain valuable insights from these reports, but meaningful change requires companies to be earnest about their sustainability efforts. #Sustainability #CorporateTransparency #Accountability #EnvironmentalImpact #SustainabilityReporting #GreenBusiness #CorporateGovernance #ESG #ClimateChange #BusinessEthics #Greenwashing #InvestorAwareness #PublicPolicy #SustainableDevelopment #CorporateResponsibility
Commentary: Sustainability reporting is only meaningful if companies are serious about making changes
channelnewsasia.com
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As professionals dedicated to advancing sustainable business practices, it's essential to critically assess the tools at our disposal. A recent article from CNA delves into the complexities and real impact of sustainability reporting. Sustainability reports aim to provide a comprehensive view of a company's value creation over time, covering economic, environmental, and social dimensions. However, despite these efforts, skepticism remains. With only 24% of top executives seeing clear value in sustainability reporting, it prompts a crucial question: Are we doing enough to drive genuine change, or are we merely ticking boxes? This piece provides a comprehensive analysis, highlighting both successes and areas where more commitment is needed. For instance, while some companies rigorously report greenhouse gas emissions and other sustainability metrics, others may still view these reports as regulatory hoops to jump through rather than opportunities for substantial operational improvements. As we push towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, let's use this opportunity to discuss how we can make sustainability reporting more than just a procedural requirement. How can we ensure it becomes a cornerstone of strategic business transformation and societal benefit? Join the conversation below. Let's explore how we can turn these reports from mere documents into catalysts for real, enduring change. #Sustainability #CorporateResponsibility #EnvironmentalImpact #BusinessTransformation
Commentary: Sustainability reporting is only meaningful if companies are serious about making changes
channelnewsasia.com
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Of the many sustainability presentations I’ve attended in Romania, the one from yesterday truly stood out. More specifically, one speaker stood out—transforming the "sustainability why" into "sustainability why not?" Codrut Nicolau skillfully highlighted the financial and competitive implications of embracing—or ignoring—the sustainability transition. As Codrut Nicolau pointed out, one thing is clear: the rules of the game are changing rapidly, driven not only by evolving European legislation but also by the health of our planet. Ignoring the bigger picture isn’t just risky—it can lead to your business losing relevance altogether. If you still think sustainability is a "tomorrow problem," it’s not. Sustainability reporting is becoming as critical as financial reporting, and the two will converge sooner than you might expect. Thank you, Codruț Nicolau, for the inspiring presentation and for bringing positive energy to a complex and vital topic. Your ability to translate these deep transformations into actionable insights was truly motivating! For those feeling overwhelmed by the complexity, that’s completely normal. The key is to start moving sooner rather than later. Here’s where you can begin: 1. Understand the timeline of upcoming regulations. 2. Build capacity: Whether through external consultants or internal training, ensure this responsibility is given the time, space, and support it deserves. Sustainability isn’t just another task to pile on—it’s a dedicated role requiring focus and commitment. 3. Assess your company’s impacts: Don’t just look at the positives—evaluate your negative impacts too. Take a full-spectrum approach, considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions. 4. Identify megatrends and risks: Examine future risks and trends that could impact your business, financially or otherwise, and start preparing for them. Now is the moment to innovate and seize new opportunities. 5. Leverage financial opportunities: The transition is here, and for companies ready to act, there are numerous opportunities to finance sustainability efforts. The transition is no longer optional. The only question is: will you adapt and thrive, or risk falling behind?
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A new Sustainability Reporting Grant aims to assist large companies in covering costs associated with creating their first sustainability reports. Additionally, a separate programme will be established to guide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the reporting process. Sustainability reporting will help companies remain relevant in the face of increasing demand for carbon footprint data disclosure. “As the world embraces sustainable goals and practices, customers and investors will increasingly expect businesses to be more transparent about their carbon footprint,” shared Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Low Yen Ling. These initiatives are among efforts to promote environmentally friendly practices within businesses. Other measures include reducing the threshold for the Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions, enabling more projects undertaken by industrial facilities to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions to qualify for funding. Read more about it: https://lnkd.in/g9UVKxsq Together, let’s #PowerTheChange and nurture the next generation’s passion for a greener tomorrow. #Geneco #GenecoSG #Sustainability #Business #SustainabilityReporting #CarbonFootprint #EnergyEfficiency
New grant for large businesses to defray costs of sustainability reporting
businesstimes.com.sg
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Sustainable Reporting could be a huge challenge and time consuming, especially for an SME. A step by step guideline to help understand and create a sustainability report. Hope it helps..do connect if you want to know more. https://lnkd.in/d-FARxDH
Neeraj Singh Rathore- Steps to Create a Sustainability Report
https://thencrtimes.com
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That is a great playbook for creating sustainability report
Sales Director|Program Manager | Marketing Consultant | Business Coach|Best Selling Author| Ex Infosys, TechM, Convergys| Sustainability Coach| CII-Carbon Credit & Independent Director.
Sustainable Reporting could be a huge challenge and time consuming, especially for an SME. A step by step guideline to help understand and create a sustainability report. Hope it helps..do connect if you want to know more. https://lnkd.in/d-FARxDH
Neeraj Singh Rathore- Steps to Create a Sustainability Report
https://thencrtimes.com
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Research has revealed that there is a striking gap - only 8% of SMEs currently report on their sustainability efforts, despite over 60% taking active steps to become more environmentally and socially responsible. This disconnect highlights a major opportunity that needs to be addressed. Many SMEs are committed to sustainable practices but struggle with reporting due to lack of time, expertise, budget constraints, and complex reporting standards. However, there's a glimmer of hope 21% of SMEs indicate they would be ready to embrace sustainability reporting with the right support frameworks in place. That's where Sustaineer comes in. Our team partners with SMEs to simplify the reporting process. We provide tailored guidance on material issues, data collection, stakeholder engagement, and report preparation aligned with leading standards. Our goal is to help SMEs effectively communicate their sustainability journey to investors, customers, and other stakeholders. Sustainability reporting shouldn't be a burden, but an opportunity to enhance brand reputation, attract conscious consumers, and drive positive change. Visit our website to learn more about our services or get in touch to discuss your specific needs. Join us in bridging the sustainability reporting gap for SMEs.
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Why are top companies prioritizing Sustainability Reporting? Learn how this trend is reshaping business strategy and why it matters for your company's future. Read our latest blog on the growing importance of sustainability practices in business. https://lnkd.in/dTVmYu4u #SustainabilityReporting #BusinessStrategy #InCorpIndia Dhaval Shah Prakhar Gupta
Importance of Sustainability Reporting for Big Companies
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I am curious what the supply side of the sustainability equation thinks of the findings in this article. In my experience, sustainability is generally viewed and treated as a cost, not an investment. Allegiance to the P&L is the priority. Most disconcerting is the discovery that spending on sustainability reporting exceeds spending on sustainability innovation by 43%. Without less talk and more action, the path to Net Zero by 2050 looks more like the slope of hope. #sustainablepackaging #netzero https://lnkd.in/e3wEfktB
IBM Study: Sustainability Remains a Business Imperative, But Current Approaches are Falling Short
prnewswire.com
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