Survey of listed companies’ sustainability reporting

The main purpose of the survey was to gain an overview of how listed companies work with sustainability reporting, what information the companies report and how the information is presented.

Access to information is important for market participants to be able to assess and price risk correctly, and for capital markets to function effectively. High-quality sustainability reporting from the companies is necessary to enable their stakeholders to assess the impact the company has on society and the environment, and how sustainability affects the companies' risk assessments and decision-making processes.

Key findings from the survey:

• Many companies have a sustainability strategy that has been endorsed by their board of directors and management.
• Little information is provided on risk and materiality assessments.
• Few companies report the financial consequences of risks related to sustainability and climate change, and few take this into account when valuing assets and liabilities.
• Climate risk reporting is limited, and the risks are generally not quantified.

The survey has highlighted key observations that can contribute to sustainability reporting providing decision-makers with useful information. The observations may be of use to the companies in their further work to ensure that future sustainability reporting provides relevant, consistent and material information.

The report presents an overall picture of current reporting practices, and the results will form the basis for Finanstilsynet's further supervisory activity.

Read more:

• Report: Survey of companies' sustainability reporting 2020 (pdf)