In Summary...
As sustainability becomes more important to investors and consumers, companies are increasingly looking to produce ESG and sustainability reports. This article shows the different ways to present a sustainability report.
5 ways to present a sustainability report
Printed report
In the past companies distributed all their reports in printed format. Nowadays the ease of digital media has made print less desirable. Because of the resources used in printing and distributing a report, it may make more sense to move to online platforms to disseminate it efficiently.
However, while it may seem counterintuitive to produce a printed document promoting sustainability, it’s worth highlighting that paper itself is an eco-friendly product, being both biodegradable and coming from a sustainable source – trees.
To further boost your eco-credentials, if you are printing your report, consider using recycled paper and choosing a printer enrolled on a carbon capture scheme. This means the planting of new trees offsets any emissions created during production and transit.
Online PDF
If you choose to go down the digital route, there are several options. Perhaps the simplest is an online pdf.
Choosing this medium means your designers can layout the report in a similar format to a traditional printed report, but with the added benefit of interactivity. This makes it possible to incorporate links, audio and video into the report, allowing readers to dive deeper into the data.
A further benefit is the facility to search for specific content, which may appeal to skim readers.
Dedicated microsite
Given its importance, many companies are choosing to dedicate entire microsites to their sustainability reports.
These sites allow users to learn more about a company’s purpose easily, including their approach to factors such as employee safety and the environment. This level of accountability is important to an environmentally aware audience.
Being online, your digital team can also update the microsite in real-time, providing a snapshot of the company’s results outside of usual reporting cycles.
