The capital market increases demands on CSR

According to this year's Webranking by Comprend, there is an increased demand from the capital market for information about CSR and sustainability on corporate websites. This is especially true when it comes to strategy, clear metrics and information about where companies pay taxes.

“Last year's Webranking has shown a clear trend among respondents within the capital market: it is increasingly important for corporations to be transparent and give a cohesive image of their sustainability work,” says Helena Wennergren, Head of Research at Comprend.

75% want information about taxation

One of this year's most important issues is reporting on how much tax companies pay in each country of operation. Three quarters of investors consider information about taxation to be essential. An account of general tax policies is also considered important.

Environmental targets and measurable results important

Seven out of ten individuals surveyed want corporations to present environmental targets, as well as measurable results on their website. Many also call for the code of conduct and the latest sustainability report to be easily found online. In addition to this, there is a demand for information about social targets, ethical guidelines and anti-corruption activities.

Strategy and materiality analysis

Investors want to see a clear sustainability strategy and materiality analysis presented on the website. A clear majority of stakeholders think it is important for companies to a clear prioritisation between the most important sustainability issues.

ABB best in Sweden at communicating CSR online

Swedish, British and Swiss companies are, generally speaking, on top of the survey with ABB, Husqvarna and H&M scoring highest among Swedish companies. Chemical and mining industries and the energy sector are overall winners.

“We are very happy with the result. It shows that transparency and a long-term approach are the foundations of communicating sustainability issues. The web makes it easy to communicate in a simple and diverse way about the important work we do”, says Lena Westerholm, ABB´s head of Sustainability Affairs in Sweden.

Of Europes top 500 companies, less than half chose to present information about environmental targets and measurable results on their websites.
Even fewer publish targets and metrics for social sustainability initiatives. A mere 20% of companies have information about the most important activities within social responsibility and sustainability on the corporate website.

“The level of transparency has increased among corporations, but demands from the financial market have increased even more. That said, companies are still lagging behind on their disclosure,”comments Tommy Borglund, Director CSR at Hallvarsson & Halvarsson.

Upcoming CSR seminar by H&H Group

The CSR results from this year's Webranking survey will be discussed at a seminar hosted by Hallvarsson & Halvarsson Group in Stockholm on 6 April.

For more information contact:

Helena Wennergren, Head of Research at Comprend
+46 70 971 12 10
helena.wennergren@comprend.com

Tommy Borglund, Director CSR at Hallvarsson & Halvarsson
+46 70 971 12 63
tommy.Borglund@halvarsson.se