Sustainability Performance and Reporting

This book provides a step-by-step approach for organizations to reap benefits from a more sustainable approach. As organizations tackle global challenges, the faces of our businesses and our economic system are changing to consider the interests of all stakeholders rather than just shareholders. This book provides a step-by-step approach for organizations to reap benefits from a more sustainable approach. It begins with a brief history of the concept of sustainability as it applies to both performance and reporting. Implementing sustainability in an organization begins with the development of policies which are consistent with the expectations of its stakeholders. An organization’s active participation in multi-stakeholder initiatives helps to align the policies with societal trends. Once the policies are developed, a management system is crucial to ensure congruence of policies with actual performance. Then, periodic reporting of performance based on well-recognized standards aids stakeholders in assessing an organization’s performance–reporting also helps stakeholders to determine if performance aligns with their expectations. Both internal and external assurances build stakeholder trust in the organization’s performance and reporting. Finally, the book concludes with a reflection on key messages and potential future actions for continuous improvement.

About the Author

Dr. Irene M. Herremans has taught sustainability content for the past 20 years. She's engaged learners in both formal education at universities and informal education for professionals through seminars, workshops, conferences, and other types of engagements. She brought the sustainability message to several countries, including Canada, the United States, Ecuador, Peru, and China to name a few. She supervised numerous graduate projects and theses on the topic of sustainability. Irene has also advised many companies, ranging from start-ups to multinationals, on their sustainability performance and reporting, especially through stakeholder panels and advisory boards. She is also an active member of several sustainability organizations and has won numerous awards for her leadership in implementing sustainability projects. In her spare time, she is an avid outdoors person and enjoys engaging with the natural environment.