Discuss the following statements:

1.Disclosure standards are by their very nature compromises. This implies that these standards very rarely, if ever, make the organisations disclose information that would highlight any activities that endanger substantially in the global pursuit of sustainability.

2.The KPMG (2020) survey would seem to suggest there is much scope for improvement, noting that SDG reporting is often "unbalanced and disconnected from business goals" (p. 48). However, given their influence to date, it is appropriate to recognise them here.

3. From a critical perspective, it is essential to acknowledge that SASB's approach to reporting and the use of materiality is rather narrow and clearly strategic in focus. As such it does not necessarily take into account those issues which may have the most significant social and/or environmental impacts for a diverse range of stakeholders or for the broader society.

Are you familiar with the practice of sustainability reporting?

As we have identified, most large corporations now produce such reports, so many examples can be found via a quick online search. You can search for one of your favourite companies, or perhaps a company that produces the clothes you are wearing or the smartphone you are using, or perhaps the company who provides your accommodation with utilities or who you rely on to move around (transportation firm or petrol provider).

There is no need to look in detail at this stage but take a look at a sustainability report taking in the structure of the report, what topics they talk about, and any initial impressions. You might find it useful to compare two reports to see any differences.

Keep your notes because we will look at this same report in the coming weeks - it will be useful to provide context and help understand much of the content that now follows.