@griausconf_the players – understanding integrated reporting with investors & accountants -...

The Players – understanding integrated reporting with investors & accountants..Chair: Leontien Plugge, Deputy Director Regional Networks, Global Reporting Initiative

Ann Byrne, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Council of Superannuation Investors Bill Hartnett, Head of Sustainability, Local Government Super Roger Simnett, Professor of Accounting and Associate Dean (Research), Australian School of Business, University of New South Wales; Working Group Member, IIRC

Ann Byrne, Chief Executive OfficerAustralian Council of Superannuation Investors

Reporting for Investors

Sustainability Reporting LevelsThe five levels of sustainability reporting are defined as:

No reportingThe company does not report on sustainability in any form.

BasicThe company reports on sustainability to a limited extent. For example, the company might provide some basic information and statistics on health and safety. There is no significant consideration of sustainability risks.

DevelopingThe company shows an increased level of reporting and disclosure of the company’s actual performance against sustainability risks. This might be through a dedicated section on the website, a dedicated section of the annual report, or a standalone sustainability report. Generally, the company should cover a range of sustainability risks, including environmental, economic and social.

EnhancedThe company shows an increased level of reporting and disclosure against sustainability risks and also makes reference to the GRI (or is guided by the GRI to some extent). Generally the company should cover all sustainability risks, including environmental, economic and social, as well as taking into account the GRI.

Best practiceThe company reports on sustainability performance according to the GRI, meaning thereporting is structured to the GRI G3 Guidelines. This includes reporting to a GRI indexand having declared an application level. The reporting could be either internally orexternally verified.

Note: it is not necessary for a company to produce a standalone sustainability report in order to achieve Best Practice.

Sustainability Reporting Performance: ASX200

Index 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008

ASX100 97% 96% 93% 94% 83%

ASX200 (ex. 100) 68% 73% 67% 75% n/a

ASX200 83% 85% 80% 85% n/a

Companies Reporting on Sustainability (at any level) 2008 - 2012

Sustainability Reporting Performance: ASX200

Reporting Level 2012 2011 2010 2009

No Reporting 18% 15% 20% 16%

Basic 32% 38% 37% 42%

Developing 27% 25% 24% 24%

Enhanced 5% 6% 4% 10%

Best Practice 18% 16% 16% 10%

Source: Sustainability Reporting Practices of the S&P/ASX 200, ACSI, 2012 (data to be verified)

Sustainability Reporting Performance: 2011

ASX50 ASX100 ASX200 (ex.100)

18%

26%

4%

52%

3%

28%

32%

6%

31% 32

%

35%

24%

4% 5%

GRI Application Levels: ASX200

Reporting Level 2012 2011 2010 2009

Reporting Structured to GRI (no. of companies) 38 40 34 21

Application Level A or A+ 13 16 12 8

Application Level B or B+ 14 10 11 7

Application Level C or C+ 7 5 6 5

No level declared 4 10 5 1

ESG Reporting Guide for Australian Companies

• Data quality and consistency• Data comparisons• Commentary and explanation

Materiality Plus

• Environmental– Climate change– Environmental management systems and compliance – Efficiency (waste, water, energy)– Other environmental issues (e.g. toxics, biodiversity) etc

• Social– Workplaces H&S– Human capital management– Corporate conduct (e.g. bribery and corruption)– Stakeholder management/license to operate.

• Corporate Governance– Corporate Governance

Application of the Guide