1. Directions No
04
Trends in CSR reporting 2003-2004
A joint report by salterbaxter and Context
social
environmenta
contex
2. What’s inside
04
Is your head in the sand?
by Francis Sullivan
01
Introduction 02
Pass the celery
by Mark Weintraub 06
The glass is definitely half full
by Context
32
About us
31
Beyond Reporting
08
Operating and Financial
Review – Worth the wait?
by salterbaxter
20 10
UK Top 250 sector analysis The fluffometer
by Context and salterbaxter
12
Methodology
16
US top 50 analysis
18
Euro top 50 analysis 13
Analysis overview
3. Introduction Sharpen those shears!
It’s time to cut the fluff in
CSR reporting.
Welcome to the new sobriety in reporting non-financial
Peter Knight, Context
performance. The corporate lexicon of homilies, generalities
peterk@econtext.co.uk and soft assurances that characterises much CSR
reporting – fluff – is on its way out. This trend is being
driven by sceptical audiences and tightening regulation
Simon Propper, Context
simonp@econtext.co.uk
such as Sarbanes-Oxley and the UK’s Operating and
Financial Review (OFR).
A less fluffy future is good news because the emphasis is
Nigel Salter, salterbaxter
nsalter@salterbaxter.com strongly on reporting, not spin. This is what the purists have
always wanted – quasi-statutory documents that talk about
a company’s non-financials in a thoroughly grown-up way.
The unloved Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has always
called for sobriety (at excruciating length and detail).
Does this mean boom time for the beleaguered GRI?
Unlikely. And that’s simply because of market demand for
short, pertinent reports that allow you to take a company’s
pulse quickly. There is little call for the GRI bible approach.
We predict more factual, shorter reports (Mark Weintraub of
Shell shows how on page 02), although we know it will take
time for the obese to slim down.
But as reporting sharpens up, companies are beginning
to see a greater need to communicate their non-financial
performance in other ways, to different audiences. To go
beyond reporting.
Fluff-free doesn’t mean fun-free. Good news, progress,
innovation and achievement will still have their place in
corporate communication. Leave your shears here and
head for page 31 to find out how to go Beyond Reporting.
01
4. By Mark Weintraub
Editor of the slimmed-down Shell Report
(32 pages including cover)
CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS ARE BECOMING
EVER FATTER. PERHAPS IT’S TIME FOR A DIET.
the
Pass celery
Like many people, I’m concerned about the actually having?) the information that really and systems. There’s always too little about
problem of obesity. But in my professional life, matters for judging our performance, we our actual performance and what the people
the expanding girth I’m worried about is in simply throw everything we’ve got in the fridge impacted by our activities really think of us.
cellulose, not cellulite. Corporate sustainability into the pot.
reports are growing fatter at alarming rates. A diet is needed. Not the craziness of Atkins
Shelves (and trees) are falling. Costs are We are also unclear about who we are but something pleasantly old-fashioned,
rising. Looming above it all is the question: writing these reports for. Non-governmental based on the principle that less is more. A bit
who actually reads these 100+ page epics? organisations (NGOs) and single-issue of self-restraint and selectivity in sustainability
campaigners? The socially responsible investor reporting goes a long way, not only in
I blame no one but ourselves – we who produce community? Mainstream investors? Staff? The increasing readability (raising the chance that
and benchmark and provide guidelines for general public? Judging from most reports I see, more people might actually read them) but
corporate sustainability reports. The emphasis the answer seems to be everyone. And in trying also improving the quality of reporting.
is remorselessly on breadth over depth, to please everyone, we satisfy no one. There
inclusiveness over relevance, and comprehen- is inevitably too much specialist detail and Every diet needs its instruction manual. Here
siveness over material importance. Not sure arcane debate for the general reader about the are my suggested five steps to slimmer and
about (or not willing to take a view on? Or not mechanics of reporting or internal processes more successful sustainability reporting.
GOs or
’t see N
staff. We don ce they want
rs and xperien at
n leade In our e is form
is opinio ain readers. issues than th nything new
For u s, that m r a Use othe
r channels
as the eir par
ticula
I don’t
learn
tionship
xperts discussio – above a
issue e re detail on th rked: “I hope my rela re ns,
particular to allow those who
ll the web
o a If I do, o and face-t
much m one NGO re
m report. now much m the issue to d want more o-face
ability k t hard work rill down detail on
allows. As pany’s sustain uble. I should inly no ur key putting th deep. This a
’s certa means a
from a com
pany is in tro sions.” And it looking for yo st and keep
ing it curr
e specialis
t informa lot of
at com discus ey are t analy informati ent. Short ti
er printed on on the web
with th om ongoing hole th ne investmen on and tr
y fr n the w o please.” informati ansparen reports m
alread community. O rankings. As e data on to the cy in tota
l – just ean more
l Just th The printe med
d report is ium that best serv tailoring the
financia r comparative n’t do words.
rs o do people w the tip of es the au
numbe ointedly: “We ith a part
icular inte the iceberg that le ience.
d
me p rest to yo a
told ur website ds
.
02
5. Like
you the be
s
but leave o t Italia
t u n
and o help t. (Not cookin
bad read e: T
tran , tha ers his g, the a
s i
mak paren t reall who fo s NOT rt lies
t y t in w
wid e that s proces matte cus on o hide hat
e s r t t
sele risk an electio that i .) You n hose a hings,
ct t d is n. W s ex eed reas
fina h e t
ncia e issue sues m use o ernally a clear , good
lly a s a u f a
nd t and lo nagem r existi ocused nd
o ex cati ent ng c to
tern on sy o
al s s that stems mpany
take m t -
hold atter o
ers. mos
t
Try to write it for a 12-year-old. Not for the cognoscenti.
You’ll inevitably land somewhere in the middle. But in doing so
you’ll strip away the corporate jargon and have a better chance
of being actually understood by intelligent people not deeply
familiar with sustainable development. The subject is important
enough for everyone to be able to understand how well you are
(or aren’t) doing. Constant vigilance and considerable tact are
required in helping colleagues overcome their love of corporate
speak. If you want to keep your friends, the phrase “great, now
lets see if we can say that in English” is best kept as a last resort.
Like any
commun
feedbac ication,
k. We ru y
our sust n the sa ou need to get sy
ainabilit me read stematic
program y report er surve
mes, usin s as y prog
We use g an exte with our other c rammes for
that hard rn ommunic
individu data, mo al market resea ation
al mana re than rch grou
gers, to the part
shape o
ur report icular ta p.
stes of
.
Diets are never easy. It means difficult discussions internally, for example with
specialists who spend all their waking hours on a particular topic. Telling them they
have a whopping 250 simple words to get the crux of their story across doesn’t
always make for a jolly conversation. People who really live and breathe their issue
can rarely order breakfast in less than that word count. Giving them a serious chance
to address the specialists in language they are more comfortable with on the web
helps. But it remains a battle. It is a battle I believe worth fighting in the name of
clarity, transparency and effective reporting.
PASS THE CELERY, PLEASE.
03
6. By Francis Sullivan
Adviser on the Environment
HSBC Holdings plc
DOES THE FOCUS ON HOT ISSUES SUCH AS ETHICS, DIVERSITY,
HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOVERNANCE MEAN COMPANIES ARE IGNORING
THE THREAT OF A DECLINING ENVIRONMENT?
Is your head
in the sand?
In the last year, it has become fashionable reputation that doesn’t get shredded or now reaching a point in some businesses where
to dismiss companies’ CSR activities as spin. cause sniggers when your company name reducing their impact on the environment is
In fact in some quarters the mistrust of is mentioned over dinner. not seen as a valid concern of management?
companies has grown so strong that you
might think their sole purpose is to rip off To be truly sustainable, a company needs Sometimes the absence of visible
their customers, exploit their staff, destroy to focus on the economic, social and environmental disasters on the scale of the
the environment, subvert legitimate environmental aspects of the business. Exxon Valdes or the burning rainforests of Brazil
government and bully their suppliers. In a This has led to some far-sighted companies and Indonesia, means people assume these
very small number of cases companies producing triple bottom line accounts. problems have been ‘solved’. But we must not
continue to behave in a way that reinforces forget that forests continue to disappear, there
this view. But it is incorrect to assume that all are dozens of ‘minor’ oil spills a year and the
companies are the same – all equally wicked. ARE WE NOW REACHING threats to people and nature from global
A POINT IN SOME warming grow daily as the carbon dioxide
Having worked in both the charity and the concentration in the atmosphere builds up.
corporate sectors, I have found that many BUSINESSES WHERE
NGOs talk about ‘business’ as a uniform REDUCING THEIR IMPACT ON The UN Millennium Development goals provide
monoculture focusing purely on the bottom a good framework to address all three aspects
line. Interestingly, too, many private sector
THE ENVIRONMENT IS NOT of sustainability and should be used by more
workers, largely through ignorance, group ‘the SEEN AS A VALID CONCERN businesses. These goals were adopted in 2000
NGOs’ into one mass of critical back-stabbers OF MANAGEMENT? by 191 governments with a series of targets
out to ruin legitimate business. covering social and environmental issues –
such as addressing global poverty, ensuring
With such polarised views about business Undoubtedly it is a challenge to keep all three environmental sustainability and achieving
performance, CSR has taken a battering. But elements in focus. Worryingly, over the last universal primary education for all children.
despite this CSR is starting to flow around the few years there have been signs that the
veins of the most hardened business people. environment is slipping off the corporate Many existing CSR activities can be hung from
At its simplest, it’s about a licence to operate, agenda. Concerns have risen about the social this framework. For instance, in HSBC’s new
to find and keep good staff and to have a impacts of business, and rightly so. But are we Strategic Plan, the first imperative is:
0
44
7. “To make HSBC one of the world’s leading To help us apply these principles to high-risk
brands for customer experience and corporate sectors, specific guidelines are being
social responsibility”. This calls for consistency prepared. The first, the Forest Land and
between corporate strategy, business Forest Products sector guideline, was
behaviour and our wider responsibilities to launched at our AGM in May. This will
communities and the environment. also be applied to our own paper and
furniture purchasing. Consistency
As an example, HSBC has signed up to the is key. Over the coming months,
Equator Principles. These voluntary other sector guidelines will be
guidelines provide a framework to address prepared, covering freshwater In the future, it may be
the environmental and social issues that infrastructure, metals and better to talk about Corporate
arise in financing projects. As a result, we will mining, and energy. Responsibility rather than CSR.
not provide loans directly to projects where
the borrower will not, or is not able to, comply We know these issues matter –
with the Equator Principles or our own our customers DO write to us. We need to remind ourselves that it’s not just
internal environmental, reputational and Our objective is to ensure, social issues that matter. But above all it’s not
social policies – whichever carries the through the implementation of words that make a difference here, it’s deeds,
higher standard. clear lending criteria, that over and it is CSR performance that counts, not
time we phase out support of only commitment and policy.
activities that do not contribute
THE FIRST IMPERATIVE IS to sustainable development, and
TO MAKE HSBC ONE OF THE increasingly seek out those that do.
WORLD’S LEADING BRANDS
FOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
AND CORPORATE SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
05
5
8. By Simon Propper and
Peter Knight Context
COMPANIES ARE CONSTANTLY Hutch days of the 1970s when it was (quite to view the world through a half-empty glass.
rightly) being exhorted to do more for the Even when you factor out the self-serving
CAJOLED TO BE MORE environment. The refrain has now been taken nature of these sentiments (we consultants
RESPONSIBLE. HOW BORING. up by the CR community – same mantra, all have something to sell), it’s rather depressing
LET’S LOOK INSTEAD AT WHAT different issues. to think that not much has changed in the way
THEY HAVE ACHIEVED. non-business people view business.
Sure, we can always do more. But it is utterly
Business is not doing enough to promote boring to be told off all the time. If the Self-appointed CSR gurus who exhort
corporate responsibility. Companies have to psychology does not work on teenagers, why corporations to boost their social performance
do a lot more to qualify as responsible should it have the desired effect on the generally have a poor understanding of
citizens. The 2004 Global Compact summit business community? business. Many find commercial life distasteful –
was met by this do-more mantra in a slew of harsh and uncouth. Hence their demands for
reports from organisations, some purporting Although the 70s fashion for furniture and business to act in ways that totally defy logic.
to be business-friendly. Business has been clothes are back, times have changed in Take the constant call for widespread
under this pressure since the Starsky and business. It is sad that so many people continue stakeholder dialogue and for business to set
06
9. up systems that track, audit and report on the that others think appropriate. In doing this they Novo Nordisk and the Co-operative Financial
process. While it’s certainly good for business to will quickly discover – as any half-intelligent Services, for staying the course. And a high-five
talk to others and gain a better understanding parent has – that praise drives action. And to Amnesty International for being one of the
of the world (clever operators have been doing action encourages more action. first NGOs to report.
this for centuries), why install yet another layer
of management just to please pressure groups? Let us look at the world through a half-full But there are more. Here’s a detailed list of
glass for a change. Let us praise good, sensible, positive, responsible actions taken by
The CSR community must reconnect with business-led initiatives. We congratulate companies (who are our clients).
business. It needs to understand the role of Cadbury’s, Gap, Nike and Starbucks (yes) for
business in society and the difficulties business what they have done to clean up their supply-
faces trying to balance calls to behave in ways chains. We admire the jumbo reporters,
Anglo American Anglo American, the mining and natural resources company, has pioneered a ground-breaking
HIV/AIDS policy in Africa, moving much faster than governments and other companies.
By the end of 2003, 1,048 employees were receiving free antiretroviral therapy.
More at www.angloamerican.co.uk
GlaxoSmithKline GSK, one of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, has a social investment programme
for the developing world that includes donations of medicines. For example, since 1998, the
company has participated in a global partnership with the World Health Organization to
eliminate lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) by 2020. GSK has donated 240 million treatments
of preventive medicine (albenzadole) to more than 80 million people since 1998.
More at www.gsk.com
HP HP, the information technology provider, has 25 projects under way in 20 countries on five
continents, looking at ways to make information and communication technology available to
more than four billion people who can’t afford computers. More at www.hp.com
Shell Shell produced one of the shortest reports of 2004 in a bold attempt to improve communication.
It was the first energy company to commit not to explore or drill for oil in World Heritage Sites.
More at www.shell.com
Unilever Unilever’s CR activities are now widely quoted, especially its efforts to innovate in new markets
among the rural poor, and meet basic needs in nutrition and hygiene. It has, for example,
developed biscuits in Ghana fortified with vitamin A and zinc to boost children’s immune systems.
These and other products are often produced in small packages to make them more affordable.
Unilever has been working in partnership with a wide range of organisations to develop
guidelines on sustainable agriculture and to promote sustainable fishing practices. It has been
managing, measuring and reporting on its environmental impact for nearly a decade. This year
it launched ice-cream freezer cabinets using hydrocarbon refrigerants that do not contribute to
climate change or ozone depletion. More at www.unilever.com
Vodafone Vodafone, the world’s biggest mobile telephone company, has set up a team to develop
products that meet specific social needs, such as helping the disabled and elderly, or enhancing
communications in education. It has begun to explore how mobile telecommunications can
support the provision of micro-finance among the rural poor. The company collected 1.5 million
used handsets in 2003 – recycling 82% and reconditioning 18%.
More at www.vodafone.com/responsibility
We’d say the glass is definitely half full.
07
10. Operating and Financial Review
Worth the wait?
SO IT’S ALMOST HERE. AFTER A PROLONGED GAME OF ‘NOW
YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON’T’, THE UK GOVERNMENT FINALLY
PUBLISHED ITS GUIDANCE PAPERS FOR THE NEW OPERATING
AND FINANCIAL REVIEW (OFR) IN MAY 2004. THE REGULATIONS
THAT WILL MAKE THE OFR COMPULSORY FOR ALL QUOTED
COMPANIES ARE STILL IN DRAFT FORM BUT ARE EXPECTED
TO COME INTO FORCE IN 2005.
THE OFR HAS BEEN TRUMPETED AS A RADICAL RE-THINK
OF CORPORATE REPORTING, BUT WHAT DIFFERENCE
WILL IT REALLY MAKE?
By Nigel Salter
salterbaxter
What were the intentions?
The goal is to address the weaknesses
identified by the Company Law Review that
reported the following:
“Company accounting and reporting
remains essentially backward looking
and based on financial indicators.
There are few statutory requirements
to report on the main qualitative
factors which underline past and future
performance (or for future performance,
even financial factors) – in particular on
strategy, prospects, opportunities and
risks; on tangible, and so-called ‘soft’
assets (which may contribute
significantly to success but are not
well captured in traditional financial
statements); and on key business and
wider relationships. As a result, the
information provided is defective and
directors do not have the discipline of
accounting for stewardship on some
key responsibilities.”
08
11. In the Government’s So in essence, the OFR is intended to get 2. Companies could, ironically, use this as
own words, this is what the companies thinking about and explaining likely an excuse for less disclosure
OFR is intended to do: future performance and reporting on a range of Many companies have been dragged, reluctantly,
relevant non-financial indicators including social, to reporting on CSR. The requirements of
environmental, ethical and human resource issues. the OFR may actually mean a backwards step.
Companies may cut their investment in CSR
The intentions are hard to argue with. reporting and simply tick the boxes that the
“Shareholders The test is whether or not the thing works. statutory report requires. It’s easy to see
can exercise ef how some companies may hide behind the OFR
control only if fective
they have clea Will it work? formula and go no further – and that would
meaningful info r and
rmation about That all listed companies will be required be a shame.
main drivers of the to incorporate CSR issues and performance
a company’s pa
future perform st and into their annual reporting process is no 3. Forward looking statements, lawyers and
ance. The OFR
designed to ar is doubt a good thing. And the best aspect auditors simply aren’t compatible
m shareholders is the emphasis on performance reporting – The regulations want companies to look
that informatio with
n. It will enable ie numbers and proof – not just a few forwards and discuss potential performance
to make a prop them
er assessment paragraphs of fluff. and developments. But without safe harbour
only of past pe not protection (as exists in the US) it is unlikely
rformance but
the directors’ also of But we see a variety of problems and risks. that the lawyers and the auditors will allow
view on the co
future prospect mpany’s These are the top three: much to be said that is meaningful or helpful.
s and its approa
to managing al ch Expect lots of legal caveats and generic
l those factors 1. The compliance approach can be statements unless the lawyers and auditors can
environmental –
perf
issues, relations ormance, employee blindingly dull work together to develop a methodology that
with suppliers, As CSR journalist Roger Cowe points out: makes this exercise genuinely worthwhile.
customers and ”CSR reporting will no longer be the primary
local commun
which are cruc ities
ial to the compa – responsibility of corporate affairs (ie PR)
future success ny’s specialists – which is good news if you have
and reputation.
” faith in company secretaries, but bad news So…
if you buy the argument that they are risk-
averse bureaucrats.“ The importance of CSR will be recognised in
regulation but there’s a risk this will be an
If companies simply read the recommendations, excuse for companies to lose sight of the
take them on board and respond at face value innovation, business improvement and energy
then not only will annual reports become that CSR has delivered in many organisations.
even more boring, but imaginative and relevant
CSR reporting could be killed off before it Yes, it’s a good thing that CSR issues and
really gets going. I like annual reports (and performance measures will be addressed by
companies) that try to express personality, all listed companies. But only if companies
where a management style is made visible, approach the new requirements in a positive
and where there is a clear attempt to be and imaginative way.
interesting, engaging and open. More guidance
risks more boredom. Was it worth the wait? Companies now have
the choice between going the extra mile or
simply complying with regulations. Time will
tell if this results in improved reporting.
09
12. By Nigel Salter salterbaxter
and Simon Propper and
Peter Knight Context
CSR reports can become lists WE PREFER CLARITY TO WOOLLINESS.
of data and good case studies, WE THINK ALL REPORTS SHOULD HAVE
A LOW-FLUFF COUNT.
but to be of value they should
reflect the real issues facing
the business. These are not
always ‘easy’ issues or the ones
that make the best pictures.
We are a people business and our
people don’t leave their values at
home. We want to create a workplace
where nobody needs to compromise
their ethics and where difficult
issues are openly discussed.
Animal research is essential to understand disease.
It enables us to evaluate the effectiveness and safety
of new medicines before they are given to people.
Regulations require the use of animals to establish
that new medicines are safe and to test some types
of vaccines after each batch is produced.
The fact that we don’t always get
everything right is one reason why we
are committed to transparency, dialogue
and a multi-stakeholder approach.
We continue to make progress, but recognise
that we still need to work hard to improve
performance at projects and operations where
we have not yet got it right.
[We] ended a joint venture and 49 contracts
due in part to concerns about their willingness
to operate in line with our Business Principles.
Reported cases of bribery in 2003: 8.
10
13. As a responsible business, [company
name] has an important role to play
in balancing social, economic and
environmental factors in accordance
with society’s transition to more
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES.
sustainable forms of development.
WHERE DOES YOUR REPORT REGISTER
ON OUR FLUFFOMETER? We similarly approach a comprehensive
understanding of the full life cycle and
safe use of our products to ensure all
their benefits are delivered.
In our company, we pursue a corporate culture that
combines the determination to achieve economic success
with cosmopolitanism, trust, transparency and responsibility
for our environment. This attitude is reflected in all areas
of the company and is absolutely essential if we are to
put the Group’s current product and marketing offensive
successfully into practice and thus safeguard the future of
the Group on a sustainable basis.
We have always said that corporate
responsibility is a journey, that whatever Whilst integrating corporate responsibility into the fabric
we have achieved there is always more to be of the organisation is an objective in itself, ensuring that
done. As this web site shows, we have come it effectively sits at the heart of business strategy and
corporate values, it is not one that should be showcased
a considerable way over the past year. and then forgotten.
We know very clearly that companies which adopt and
embrace corporate responsibility are more likely to create
wealth and shareholder value than those that don’t and,
in so doing, link this to their core business principles.
Because of the large number of diesel storage facilities
identified we were unable to develop spill response
plans. Instead, the pollution control training course will be
modified to incorporate the training about how spill
response plans should be developed.
Regional employment equity officers
have played a significant role in
highlighting regions where employment
equity is not practised as vigorously
as executive management would prefer.
In so doing, these officers enable
corrective action to be taken and ensure
that the entire [company name] staff
is aware of the imperative represented
by employment equity.
Note 1
Sources available on request.
Note 2
We are heartened by the difficulty
in finding truly fluffy examples.
We hope that in a few years fluff
will be on the endangered list.
11
14. We have made every effort to ensure that the data in Directions are
Methodology accurate. Our research is based on information on company websites
and in printed reports. The research findings were verified with each
company on the telephone – our thanks to Christina-Maria Weiss who
carried out the research this year. In just a few cases companies
declined to participate, but most were extremely helpful and keen to
have their entry checked. If we have missed data, please get in touch
and we will update our records.
Although our categories are simple and non-judgemental, we still had to
apply some rules and definitions to ensure a consistent approach
between companies. These are:
1. The cut-off date: for data inclusion was 7. Section in annual report: typically refers to 11. Covers supply-chain: is a new category
July 31 2004 and our assessments are based on content of one full page or more. We indicate added this year. We identify when supply-chain
information in the public domain on that date. if data are included where possible. Only in issues are covered only briefly and specific
exceptional circumstances is a company that information is reported.
2. The top 250 UK companies: were taken from only publishes information in its annual report
the Financial Times website on June 7 2004. classified as a reporter. 12. FTSE4Good: a dot in this box means a
company is included in either the World or
3. The top 50 US companies: were taken from 8. Independent verification statement: refers UK index.
the Standard & Poor’s 500 index on July 31 2004. to formal auditing of the report by third parties
and excludes informal comments by external 13. Dow Jones Sustainability Index: a dot
4. The top 50 Euro companies: were taken from commentators. in this box means a company is included in
the Financial Times website on July 31 2004. either the World or European STOXX index.
They are the top 50 excluding UK companies. 9. Includes environmental performance:
covers a range of issues e.g. emissions and 14. BitC CR Index: only records the companies
5. Number of years reporting: refers to either discharges, resource use and waste. A dot in that appeared in the top 100, not the full list
environment or CSR reports. Mergers and this box means that some but not necessarily of participants.
acquisitions may affect these data by reducing all the company’s impacts are reported, ideally
the number of years recorded. with data. 15. Investment Trusts: are excluded because
they are not regarded as trading companies.
6. Web reports: it is important to note that 10. Includes social and ethical performance: Their places have been taken by the next
what some companies call a report is actually covers a range of subjects e.g. business ethics, largest companies outside the top 250.
only a couple of pages. We attempt to identify community, employment, health and safety,
the level of information covered and make a and human rights. A dot in this box means that
judgement about what can reasonably be some but not necessarily all relevant issues
classified as a ‘report’. are reported, ideally with data. Companies
reporting community/health and safety data
only did not receive a full dot.
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051 A COMPANY –– a b –– –– –– –– –– 1 a Comment b More comments
KEY Yes a See comments AR Annual Report BitC CR Index Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility index DR Directors’ Report H&S Health and Safety SHE/EHS Safety, Health & Environment
12
15. Analysis
overview
24 of the top 250 UK
companies reported for the first
time this year (29 a year ago)
Number of
0
e5
0
100
50
25
rop
companies that:
UK
UK
US
Eu
REPORT 145 (132) 83 (84) 27 (22) 44 (40)
REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL 123 (98) 75 21 42
AND SOCIAL PERFORMANCE
REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL 140 (132) 81 26 44
PERFORMANCE
REPORT SOCIAL AND 127 (100) 79 22 42
ETHICAL PERFORMANCE
COVER SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES 54 37 6 18
ARE DEFINED AS 105 (118) 17 23 6
NON-REPORTERS
HAVE INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION 60 (45) 44 2 21
ARE REPORTING FOR THE FIRST 24 (29) 7 8 6
TIME THIS YEAR
PRODUCE NO REPORTING OF 44 (56) 6 (16) 24 1
SUBSTANCE (NO CSR REPORT
AND NO SIGNIFICANT SECTION
IN ANNUAL REPORT)
145 of the top 250 UK REPORT ON THE WEB ONLY 43 26 5 13
companies now report
REPORT IN PRINT ONLY 3 1 0 0
(132 a year ago)
Last year’s figures shown in brackets where available.
UK sector with:
0
100
r
25
cto
UK
UK
Se
LEAST COMPANIES REPORTING Software and computer services 0/5 0/1
Insurance 1/5 1/1
Leisure and hotels 2/17 4/6
Speciality and other finance 3/14 2/2
100% COMPANIES REPORTING Beverages 4/4 4/4
Tobacco 3/3 3/3
Utilities 8/8 4/4
MOST FIRST-TIME REPORTERS Support services 4/18 1/6
Media & entertainment 4/19 4/9
13
16. Analysis overview
123 of the top 250 UK companies
report environmental and social
performance (98 a year ago)
44 of the top 250 UK companies produce
no CSR information of substance, in any
report (56 a year ago)
60 of the top 250 UK companies
have independently verified
reports (45 a year ago)
14
17. 83 of the top 100 UK companies report,
compared with 44 of the European
top 50 and 27 of the US top 50
37 of the UK top 100 companies report on
supply-chain issues, compared with 18 of the
European top 50 and 6 of the US top 50
15
18. US top 50
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(S&P 500 ranking on the left)
001 GENERAL ELECTRIC 2 –– a –– –– a H&S and Community only
002 MICROSOFT 1 –– –– a a –– –– a Limited data
003 EXXON MOBIL 4 a –– –– –– –– a With data
004 PFIZER 3a –– a –– a Last report published in 2001 b H&S and Community only
005 CITIGROUP 4 –– ––
006 WALMART STORES –– –– a –– –– –– –– –– a Fact
sheets on community, people and energy; Good
Works community web section; Statement of ethics
007 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL –– –– a –– –– –– –– –– –– –– a Code of conduct only
GROUP
008 BANK OF AMERICA 4 –– a –– b –– –– a 2003
update to 2002 environmental report and
community webpage b Community data only
009 JOHNSON & JOHNSON 8 ––
010 INTEL 10 a b –– –– a Separate EHS and Global Citizenship report
b Brief reference to social reports
011 IBM 14 a –– –– b –– –– a Report pdf and additional web information
b Describe supplier evaluations, but little data
012 CISCO SYSTEMS 1 –– a –– b b –– –– a Brief reference b Limited data
013 PROCTER & GAMBLE 11 a b c –– d a Summary report b Report pdf
c Reference to Sustainability report d Policies
014 JP MORGAN CHASE –– –– a b –– –– –– –– –– –– a Communityweb section mainly covers policies;
Community data only b Covers community
015 COCA-COLA CO. 3 a b c –– a Brief reference b Limited data
c Brief mention, Supplier Guiding Principles
016 VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS –– –– a b –– –– –– –– –– a Community and environment web sections, limited data
b Covers community only
017 CHEVRON TEXACO 1 a –– –– –– –– a Summary report
018 MERCK & CO 2 –– a –– –– –– a Covers access to medicines
019 ALTRIA GROUP –– –– a –– –– –– –– –– –– a Responsibility
web section mainly covers policies;
community data only
020 WELLS FARGO –– –– a b –– –– –– –– –– a Sections on community and diversity
b Covers community only
021 DELL INC. 5 a b –– –– a Report pdf and additional web information
b Brief reference
022 PEPSICO 1 –– a b –– c c –– –– –– a Citizenship web section mainly covers policies
b 15 pages c Limited
data
023 SBC COMMUNICATIONS –– –– a –– –– –– –– –– –– a Corporate
citizenship web section covers mainly
community and diversity, limited data
024 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE 1 a –– –– a Reference to Sustainability report
025 TIME WARNER 1a b –– –– –– –– a Last report published in 2002 b Pdf
16 KEY Yes a See comments AR Annual Report BitC CR Index Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility index DR Directors’ Report H&S Health and Safety SHE/EHS Safety, Health & Environment