A recent survey conducted by PwC Global involving 345 investors and analysts, revealed overwhelming concern over the validity of corporate sustainability claims.  Ninety-four percent of investors surveyed believe that company reporting on sustainability includes unsubstantiated claims.  A total of 15 percent of respondents considered that all claims were  “unsupported”.

Confidence in sustainability claims could be enhanced by compliance with the International Sustainability Standards Board requirements.  The standards will establish definitions and require quantitative reporting.  It appears that the U.K. will lead in adopting the standards developed by the International Board (ISSB).  Reporting of sustainability is regarded by analysts and investors as an important attribute of a company and that standards are required to distinguish between progress in achieving environmental objectives or simply projecting reports characterized as “green washing”.