@GRIAusConf_The Stakeholder View: How reports are read and used - Leeora Black

The Stakeholder View –How reports are read and used.

Chair: Lena Geraghty, Network Manager, Focal Point Australia, Global Reporting Initiative

Dr Leeora Black, Managing Director, Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility Peter Colley, National Research Director, Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy UnionAmanda Dobbie, General Manager, Bloomberg Australia and New ZealandNicola Hayhoe, Executive Leader of Policy, Research and Communications, Ability OptionsBastien Mignonneau, Consultant, Banarra

Report Launch at Australian GRI Conference

27 March 2012

STAKEHOLDERS AS READERS OF SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS

ABOUT THE RESEARCH

FIRST REPORTER BONUS

First time reporters

Experienced reporters

Read at least several sections 49% 79%

Get a good impression of the reporting organisation from the report

73% 64%

Wanter simpler language in reports 10% 22%

Want a shorter report 34% 40%

Have concerns about information in the report

20% 32%

Key takeout: Publishing your first report will earn greater reputational uplift, less criticism, and less scrutiny than

subsequent reports

CONCERNS IN REPORTS

Key takeout: Reports lack balance and transparency. This may reduce the effectiveness of reports as a tool for stakeholders to evaluate

sustainability performance

HOW REPORTS ARE USED

• A balanced report helps build trust with stakeholders and the effectiveness of the report

• Reports need greater focus on materiality, especially with trend to integrated reporting

• Stakeholder expectations are rising – reports need to convey new information to obtain reputational boost

• Stakeholders want shorter, more succinct reports with detailed performance data available if required.

CONCLUSIONS