Carrots and Sticks: Trends in Mandatory and Volunteer Reporting

Compiled as a joint project between the UN Environment Programme and KPMG’s Global Sustainability Services, this report published late last year highlights the current trends and approaches in mandatory and voluntary standards for sustainability reporting and corporate responsibility around the globe. It includes summaries of environmental and social reporting laws across 18 markets. According to the report, companies producing voluntary sustainability reports are likely to integrate them into their financial reporting in the future. The report also found that the harmonization of voluntary standards and mandatory regulation will lead to higher quality and more useful corporate sustainability reporting.