17/01/2022

A new study has revealed that 90% of companies assessed now include a commitment in their sustainability reports to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet fewer than half set measurable targets for how their actions contribute towards fulfilling the Goals.

In 2021, Global reporting initiative conducted new study, which analyzes a sample of over 200 companies around the world that produced a GRI report in 2020. Key findings include:

• Most companies state that they support the SDGs, recognizing the value of aligning their reports with the Goals;
• 69% of companies articulate which Goals are most relevant to their business;
• 40% of companies set measurable commitments for how they will help achieve the SDGs.

The research highlights trends in SDG reporting, with recommendations on how companies can improve their communications and performance that include:

• Providing targets on how they support the SDGs, particularly for those that connect most closely to the companies activities, products or business relationships;
• Deepen reporting on their positive contributions to the SDGs, while also responding to stakeholder demands for transparency on negative impacts;
• Make data on their SDG performance easily accessible;
• Collaborate on SDG reporting, sharing practices both up and down the value chain, while doing more to engage their suppliers in this important topic.

„If we’re to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, every business needs to understand how they can contribute to them. It’s wonderful to see that the majority of businesses in our research are showing their support for the Goals. We now urgently need to see an increase in the number of businesses setting measurable targets that contribute to the SDGs, reporting on their progress and – crucially – helping their suppliers understand how they can get involved." Colin Curtis, Founder and Director of Support the Goals

See the report: State of Progress: Business Contribution to SDGs