Sustainability Reporting


Ranking of Sustainability Reports

The German ranking of sustainability reports follows on from the former rankings of environmental reports in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 2000. The new ranking takes up the development of sustainability management and CSR. The criteria of the past rankings of environmental reports have been extended by social and economic requirements. In particular the work of GRI, SustainAbility as well as the requirements of SRI-rating agencies are considered. As a result the evaluation of the reports is based on a clear set of criteria. We are proud, that contrary to other rankings, we promote transparency and always publish the criteria applied.

The German ranking considered all available environmental, sustainability and CSR reports from the 150 largest German companies in industry, trade, banking and insurance. The results were published on Feb, 17 2005 in the business magazine "Capital" and on our project website www.ranking-nachhaltigkeitsberichte.de.


Project data

In co-operation with future e.V. and IÖW
Researchers: Thomas Loew (project manager), Jens Clausen (former IÖW), Udo Westermann (future e.V.)
Sponsor: none
Project period: Aug 2004 - Feb 2005


Publications

Clausen J, Loew, T, Westermann U:
Sustainability Reporting in Germany: Summary of the Results and Trends of the 2005 Ranking Download

Loew T, Clausen J (2005)
Ranking der deutschen Nachhaltigkeitsberichte: Anforderungen und Bewertungsskala zur Beurteilung von Nachhaltigkeitsberichten, <Ranking of German Sustainability Reports: Requirements and Scale for the Evaluation of Sustainability Reports> Berlin, Münster Download www.ranking-nachhaltigkeitsberichte.de

International Study on the Benefits of Verifying Sustainability Reports

While verification of sustainability reports is common in the UK and USA, this type of external quality check is rarely applied to German reports. Businesses, NGOs and policy makers are still sceptical as to whether external verification is improving the quality and the credibility of the reports.

NGO representatives are also sceptical about the value of verifications provided by accountants. In their opinion, credibility depends on the reporting style, comprehensiveness regarding the companies' material sustainability issues and openness to problems. Some of them suggest that NGOs or similar critical organisations should provide verifications to improve credibility.

Accountants stress that verification not only leads to improved credibility but also to relevant internal benefits, such as improvements in the data management.

The study provides material arguments for the current discussion on verification. It is based on an analysis of existing standards and on interviews with European experts from business, accountants and NGOs.


Project data

Project of IÖW and 4sustainability
Researchers: Jens Clausen (project manager) Thomas Loew
Sponsored by: Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety
Project period: 2004-2005


Publications

Clausen J, Loew T (2005)
Mehr Glaubwürdigkeit durch Testate? Evaluation des Nutzens von Testaten in Nachhaltigkeitsberichten <More Credibility by external Assurance? Evaluation of the benefits of verifiying Sustainability Reports> Berlin, Download www.ranking-nachhaltigkeitsberichte.de

Further information on CSR- and Sustainability Reporting:

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