A major stocktake on the state of sustainability reporting around the world has revealed that GRI provides the ‘first and foremost’ global standards, used by more large companies than ever before. The KPMG Survey of Sustainability Reporting (published 26 October) examined the disclosure practices of the world’s biggest 250 companies by revenue (the G250), as well as a larger pool of the top 100 businesses in each of 58 countries (the N100).

Findings in the 2022 research include:

• 78% of the G250 now adopt the GRI Standards for reporting (up from 73% in 2020);
• 68% of the 5,800 N100 companies use GRI (up from 67% in 2020, when N100 was a smaller sample size);
• Overall, 96% of G250 (unchanged from 2020) and 79% of N100 (77% in 2020) report on sustainability or ESG;
• Carbon reduction is widely disclosed (80% of G250 and 71% of N100) – yet under half (46% of G250, 40% of N100) report on biodiversity;
• Almost three-quarters of those surveyed (74% of G250, 71% of N100) report on the SDGs;
• GRI offers the only reporting standards used by a majority of surveyed companies in all regions (75% in the Americas, 68% in Asia-Pacific and Europe, 62% in ME & Africa).

Eelco van der Enden, CEO of GRI, said: “With more companies committing to globally accepted reporting standards to deliver transparency on their impacts, this major research from KPMG offers reasons to be encouraged. If there was any remaining doubt, it is now abundantly clear that comparable sustainability reporting is widespread across countries and sectors – and it’s here to stay. Deeper accountability, however, requires deeper disclosure, ensuring decisions are based on robust data and not just perceptions. While the research shows climate risks are widely addressed, recognition of biodiversity impacts is worryingly low. A revised GRI Biodiversity Standard, to launch in 2023, will be a key driver for increased reporting on this crucial topic, which goes hand-in-hand with efforts to tackle climate change. What the survey does not yet reflect are new developments in the corporate reporting landscape, including incoming sustainability standards from the IFRS Foundation, and the European Union. I can reassure GRI reporters that we have an essential bridging role across both these initiatives, underlining the growing relevance of our Standards.”