Corporate responsibility reporting

The process of reporting on responsible businesss performance to stakeholders creates a shared understanding of responsible business and helps to integrate such practices into the ‘fabric’ of a company. And while financial reporting gives insight into a company’s past performance, non-financial reporting also identifies future risks and opportunities, making it a powerful management tool.

There is also a growing public demand for information about the impacts a company has on the society in which it operates. By sharing relevant information about the risks and opportunities it faces, as well as its social, environmental and economic performance, a company can enhance its reputation and build confidence among investors, analysts, employees and customers.

Many organisations publish specific corporate responsibility reports, in print or online, and sometimes produce summary or overview documents for certain stakeholder audiences, such as employees. Equally, a company might have a CR section on its corporate website, or include responsible business in its annual report and accounts.