2Sustain

93 of the S&P 100 now provide at least some sustainability information on their web sites, and 66 firms produced a formal sustainability report with performance data in 2008, according to a new report from the Sustainable Investment Research Analyst Network (SIRAN).

SIRAN has produced the annual S&P 100 Sustainability Reporting Comparison since 2005. The latest report was released last week, and here are a few of the findings I found particularly encouraging:

• During 2008, 93 companies included sustainability information on their web site –that’s an increase of more than 60 percent from 58 companies in 2004.

• Sixty-six firms produced a formal sustainability report with performance data in 2008 –a 35 percent jump from the 49 reports produced in 2007.

• Since 2004, the number of companies making reference to the GRI in their sustainability reports has more than doubled from 24 to 55 of the S&P 100.

Not all of the findings were as rosy, however, and it’s clear that sustainability reporting remains an “emerging trend” among most corporations.

For example, only six of the 55 firms achieved GRI’s highest, “A” level reporting. (An “A” level report provides data for all of the core GRI performance indicators, addresses the management approach for each indicator, and includes organizational information such as identification of key risks and a statement from the CEO addressing the relevance of sustainability at the organization.)

In my estimation, those six firms deserve a little extra recognition for their commitment to sustainability reporting. Here they are:

• American Electric Power Company, Inc.

• The Dow Chemical Company

• Ford Motor Company

• GE

• IBM

• Weyerhaeuser

More details about the study –including in-depth profiles about each S&P 100 company –are available here.