Isra-Mart srl: UK firms lead the pack in responsible reporting

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UK firms are leading the global pack when it comes to reporting on environmental and social corporate responsibility (CR) activities, according to a major new survey from accountancy firm KMPG.

Published today, KPMG's International Survey of CR Reporting 2011 (PDF) examined data from 3,400 companies worldwide, including the Global Fortune 250 and the largest 100 companies in 34 countries and 15 industry sectors.

UK firms were found to be leading the way, with every one of its top 100 companies reporting CR initiatives.

The performance just edged Japan into second place with 99 per cent of its largest companies reporting on CR efforts.

Globally, 64 per cent of the largest 100 companies in each country reported on environmental and social performance, representing an increase of 11 per cent since KMPG's 2008 survey.

The lowest ranked countries were New Zealand and Chile, both with 27 per cent of companies producing CR reports, followed by India with 20 per cent and Israel in last place with 18 per cent.

Vincent Neate, who leads KPMG's UK Climate Change and Sustainability practice, said the figures confirm that CR reporting is moving up the corporate agenda, noting that nine per cent more UK firms reported on CR issues in 2011 than 2008, despite the economic downturn.

"This report bears out the view that one of the effects of the volatility and tough trading conditions of recent years has been to make companies keener to measure, evaluate and articulate their activities around sustainability and social responsibility," he said.

"As well as enhancing the value of their brands, it can show that they are investing time and money wisely."

Among the Global Fortune 250, 95 per cent of firms were found to be reporting on CR issues, a 14 per cent increase on the 2008 findings.

"Further weight is thrown behind the assertion that CR initiatives have moved from a moral to a critical business imperative through the finding that almost half of the Global Fortune 250 companies report gaining financial value from CR," added Neate.