BSR Insight

A Weekly Newsletter for BSR Members | October 19, 2010

   
 

In This Issue

Editor's Note

How to Increase the Value of Local (and Global) Reporting

As the 2010 CSR reporting season kicks off for many companies, we dedicate this week's Insight to sustainability communications. Coinciding with the release of our latest report on regional reporting, BSR's Adam Lane and Guy Morgan draw on our experience in China and offer a local sustainability reporting approach—based on local engagement, internal coordination, and the use of proven reporting frameworks—that generates value for both the company and its stakeholders.

We also highlight what we see as the key trends shaping global sustainability reporting today.

Finally, we summarize and ask for your comments on the recent draft guidance on green marketing issued by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Going Local: Increasing the Value of Local Sustainability Reporting Department Icon

In Depth

Going Local: Increasing the Value of Local Sustainability Reporting

By Adam Lane, Manager, Advisory Services, BSR

Twenty-seven out of the 100 largest global companies are reporting on local sustainability performance at the regional, country, or site-specific level. Drawing on our experience in China, we propose an approach to local sustainability reporting—based on local engagement, internal coordination, and the use of proven reporting frameworks—that can generate value for both the company and its stakeholders.

Read more →
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Spotlight

'Green Guides' Help Steer Environmental Marketing

By Ryan Schuchard, Manager, Climate and Energy, BSR

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released its draft guidance on environmental marketing, which helps marketers avoid misleading customers—and avoid FTC actions against them.

The FTC "Green Guides":

  1. Require environmental claims to be substantiated and advise companies to avoid ambiguous umbrella terms like "green" or "eco-friendly."
  2. Prescribe specific rules on issues like carbon offsets, recyclability, certifications and seals, and renewable materials and energy.
  3. Define where to tread carefully on complex issues such as life-cycle assessments and eco-labeling. In areas where the FTC lacks sufficient information to provide guidance, it promises to analyze claims on a case-by-case basis.

The guides require that disclosure is clear and accurate, but leaves the actual disclosure methods up to companies—which will encourage competition on actual environmental action beyond messaging.

The FTC is accepting input on the draft guidance until December 10. Read more and submit your own comments, which will be aggregated and sent to the FTC.

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Toolbox

Nine Key Trends in Corporate Responsibility Reporting

By Dunstan Allison Hope, Managing Director, Advisory Services, BSR

A new BSR guide highlights nine trends that are shaping the evolution of corporate responsibility reporting and can be built into a company's reporting strategy:

  1. Focus on the material issues that deliver the greatest value to your business and to your most important stakeholders.
  2. Think strategically about the coordinated use of print and web-based media.
  3. Introduce local reports for specific countries, regions, or sites, especially in countries that have prominent sustainability challenges.
  4. Publish credible commentary—that is both longer and more analytical—from internal and external stakeholders.
  5. Use key performance indicators (KPIs) and key performance narratives (KPNs) for seven to 15 of your most material issues.
  6. Maximize "web 2.0" to broaden the reach, improve the accessibility, and enable conversations about your report.
  7. Include ESG performance information alongside business and financial analysis in one integrated report.
  8. Create a predictable, regular, and robust reporting cycle.
  9. Establish external stakeholder advisory panels to increase assurance.