Search Results (49)

The evolution of sustainability reporting has led to an increased emphasis on environmental disclosures, often at the expense of social and governance dimensions. While frameworks such as the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) IFRS S2 standard offer important advances in climate-related transparency, they insufficiently address the broader social aspects of corporate sustainability performance. In response to this gap, this study investigates the interoperability of social disclosures across three major frameworks: ISSB S2, the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. Using a structured interoperability index, we systematically map and score the degree of thematic and structural alignment between these standards, focusing specifically on social disclosure topics. The analysis reveals moderate interoperability between ESRS and GRI social disclosures, but far lower alignment between ISSB S2 and either ESRS or GRI, confirming the ongoing underrepresentation of the social pillar within the ISSB framework. Connectivity ratios remain below 6% across all matrices, underscoring persistent fragmentation in global ESG reporting standards. These findings highlight the need for regulatory bodies and standard setters to advance harmonization efforts that equally prioritize environmental, social, and governance dimensions. By foregrounding the interoperability gaps in social disclosures, this study contributes to the academic debate on ESG convergence and informs policy discussions on developing multidimensional, stakeholder-responsive reporting architectures. Full article

This study develops and operationalizes a multi-dimensional framework for sustainable building retrofit that aligns with national 2050 net-zero objectives. First, we conduct a scoping review of international standards (e.g., ISO), sustainability reporting guidelines (GRI G4), and peer-reviewed studies to define an indicator system spanning three pillars—environmental (carbon neutrality, resource circulation, pollution management), social (habitability, durability/safety, regional impact), and economic (direct support, deregulation). Building on this structure, we propose a transparent 0–3 rubric at the sub-indicator level and introduce the Sustainable Building Retrofit Index (SRI) to enable cross-case comparability and over-time monitoring. We then apply the framework to seven countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea), score their retrofit systems/policies, and synthesize results through radar plots and a composite SRI. The analysis shows broad emphasis on carbon neutrality and habitability but persistent gaps in resource circulation, pollution management, regional impacts, and deregulatory mechanisms. For South Korea, policies remain energy-centric, with relatively limited treatment of resource/pollution issues and place-based social outcomes; economic instruments predominantly favor direct financial support. To address these gaps, we propose (i) life-cycle assessment (LCA)–based reporting that covers greenhouse gas and six additional impact categories for retrofit projects; (ii) a support program requiring community and ecosystem-impact reporting with performance-linked incentives; and (iii) targeted deregulation to reduce uptake barriers. The paper’s novelty lies in translating diffuse sustainability principles into a replicable, quantitative index (SRI) that supports benchmarking, policy revision, and longitudinal tracking across jurisdictions. The framework offers actionable guidance for policymakers and a foundation for future extensions (e.g., additional countries, legal/municipal instruments, refined weights). Full article

Climate change poses an existential threat, spurring businesses and financial markets to integrate environmental accounting and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) disclosures into decision-making. This study aims to examine how environmental accounting practices and ESG reporting contribute to climate change mitigation in organizations. It seeks to highlight the significance of these tools in enhancing transparency and accountability, thereby driving more sustainable corporate behavior. By synthesizing the recent literature, the study contributes a comprehensive overview of best practices and challenges at the intersection of accounting and climate action, addressing a noted gap in consolidated knowledge. We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) following PRISMA guidelines. A broad search (2010–2024) across Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar identified 73 records, which were rigorously screened and distilled to 47 relevant peer-reviewed studies. These studies span global contexts and include both conceptual and empirical work, providing a robust dataset for analysis. Environmental accounting was found to play a pivotal role in measuring and managing corporate carbon footprints, effectively translating climate impacts into quantifiable metrics. Firms that implement rigorous carbon accounting and internalize environmental costs tend to set more precise emission reduction targets and justify mitigation investments through a cost–benefit analysis. ESG disclosure frameworks emerged as critical external tools: a high-quality climate disclosure is linked with greater stakeholder trust and even financial benefits such as lower capital costs. Leading companies aligning reports with standards like TCFD or GRI often enjoy enhanced credibility and investor confidence. However, the review also uncovered challenges, like the lack of standardized reporting, risks of greenwashing, and disparities in adoption across regions, that impede the full effectiveness of these practices. The findings underscore that while environmental accounting and ESG reporting are powerful means to drive corporate climate action, their impact depends on improving consistency, rigor, and integration. Harmonizing global reporting standards and mandating disclosures are identified as key steps to improve data comparability. Strengthening the credibility of ESG disclosures and embedding environmental metrics into core decision-making are essential to leverage accounting as a tool for climate change mitigation. The study recommends that policymakers accelerate moves toward mandatory, standardized ESG reporting and urges organizations to proactively enhance their environmental accounting systems that will support global climate objectives and further research on actual emission outcomes. Full article

Sustainability in the non-alcoholic beverage industry requires effective metrics to assess environmental, social, and economic performance. However, the lack of standardised indicators for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) hinders the implementation of sustainable strategies. This study aims to select a set of sustainability indicators for small and medium-sized non-alcoholic beverage industries in Brazil. Seventy-four indicators were identified based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, which were subsequently evaluated and refined by industry experts for prioritisation. Statistical analysis led to the selection of 31 final indicators, distributed across environmental (10), social (12), and economic (9) dimensions. In the environmental dimension, priority indicators include water management, energy efficiency, carbon emissions, and waste recycling. The social dimension highlights working conditions, occupational safety, gender equity, and impacts on local communities. In the economic dimension, key indicators relate to supply chain efficiency, technological innovation, financial transparency, and anti-corruption practices. The results provide a robust framework to guide managers in adopting sustainable practices and support policymakers in improving the environmental, social, and economic performance of small and medium-sized non-alcoholic beverage industries. Full article

Sustainable manufacturing is gaining attention in the scientific literature. However, it remains unclear how to effectively incorporate it within Production Planning and Control (PPC) tasks. All the choices taken in terms of PPC impact sustainability, and sustainability managers and planners or managers involved in tasks, such as scheduling or inventory management, are not conscious of what this means or implies, above all, in terms of the sustainable performance indicators on which their actions can act. While several studies have addressed both PPC and sustainability, there is still limited guidance or structured frameworks specifically aimed at systematically linking PPC tasks with sustainability indicators in a practical and operational industrial context, despite the development of numerous sustainability standards in recent years. For this reason, this research aimed to develop a first detailed framework, specifically based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard, that associates the most relevant indicators with the PPC phases, highlighting the type of impact (direct or indirect) of each phase on them. This could help with strategic decisions and promote more informed choices. The overall framework revealed the prevalence of environmental aspects involved in PPC phases (as expected) and a challenge related to the measurability of indicators (above all, the social ones). Furthermore, the Material Requirements Planning (MRP), identified as the most significant phase in terms of its impact on sustainability, was deeply analyzed, providing details related to the decision-making processes of this phase that affect sustainable performance. Full article

Organizations face significant challenges in measuring and enhancing sustainability performance across complex operational processes. Current assessment methods frequently lack granularity, real-time capability, and integration with operational data. This study addresses these gaps by developing a conceptual framework that integrates business process mining with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) metrics. The methodology incorporates environmental, social, and economic sustainability indicators into process mining techniques through systematic metric mapping and event log enrichment. The framework enables the extraction and analysis of sustainability performance data at the process level, creating detailed heat maps that visualize resource utilization, emissions, and waste generation. An application to a Purchase-to-Pay process case study demonstrates how process variants impact sustainability metrics differently. Delays increase emissions by 16.7%, while rework increases waste generation by 41.7%. The results identify specific process bottlenecks with high environmental impact and reveal critical misalignments between economic and environmental sustainability goals. This framework provides organizations with a standardized yet flexible approach to measuring sustainability performance, bridging the gap between high-level sustainability reporting and operational processes. It enables continuous monitoring, targeted interventions, and transparent reporting across diverse industry contexts. Full article

This study aims to evaluate how key financial, educational, technological, and institutional drivers shape resource efficiency (RCE), a critical pillar of sustainable development—across major economies. Enhancing RCE is vital for ensuring long-term ecological and economic stability while meeting global sustainability targets. Using panel data from 2000 to 2022 for G20 countries, this research examines the dynamic effects of natural resources (NRSs), educational quality (EDQ), financial inclusion (FIN), green innovation (GRI), and economic complexity (ECC) on RCE. The Cross-Sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) model is applied to capture both short- and long-term relationships and is validated by robustness checks using the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) and Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) estimators. The results show that EDQ and FIN exert a negative influence on RCE, suggesting that governance inefficiencies occur when aligning education systems and financial mechanisms with sustainability goals. In contrast, NRS, GRI, and ECC significantly enhance RCE, underscoring the value of resource stewardship, innovation-driven transitions, and complex economic structures in promoting efficiency. These findings have governance implications, emphasizing the need for institutional reforms that integrate sustainability into the education and financial sectors while supporting green innovation and economic diversification. Policymakers in G20 economies are urged to implement coherent strategies that redirect educational and financial frameworks toward inclusive, resilient, and resource-efficient development pathways, thereby advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

This study investigated how corporate maturity—measured through firm age and lifecycle stage—moderates the value relevance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures in a frontier market context, using Bangladesh as a case study. Drawing on panel data from 2011–2012 to 2023–2024 for 86 publicly listed non-financial firms, the study employed a modified Ohlson valuation framework, panel regression analysis, and multiple robustness techniques (2SLS, PSM). ESG disclosure was measured using a researcher-developed index aligned with international reporting standards (GRI, SASB, TCFD, UN SDGs). ESG disclosures are positively associated with firm value, but this relationship is significantly moderated by corporate maturity. Younger firms exhibit a stronger valuation effect from ESG transparency, driven by higher signaling and legitimacy needs. In contrast, mature firms experience a diminished marginal benefit, reflecting routine compliance rather than strategic differentiation. These findings challenge the uniform application of ESG assessment models and suggest the need for lifecycle-adjusted disclosure ratings, particularly in nascent regulatory environments like Bangladesh. Investors and regulators should tailor ESG evaluation criteria by firm age and industry sustainability exposure. Younger firms, often overlooked, may carry outsized ESG signaling value in emerging markets. Enhancing ESG transparency among younger firms can foster greater stakeholder trust, support inclusive growth, and strengthen social accountability in emerging economies. This study contributes to the ESG literature by introducing corporate maturity as a key moderating variable in value relevance analysis. It provides new empirical insights from a developing economy and proposes lifecycle-based adaptations to global ESG rating methodologies. Full article

In today’s volatile market environment, supply chain management (SCM) must address complex challenges such as fluctuating demand, fraud, and delivery delays. This study applies machine learning techniques—Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs)—to optimize demand forecasting, inventory policies, and risk mitigation within a unified framework. XGBoost achieves high forecasting accuracy (MAE = 0.1571, MAPE = 0.48%), while RNNs excel at fraud detection and late delivery prediction (F1-score ≈ 98%). To evaluate models beyond accuracy, we introduce two novel metrics: Cost–Accuracy Efficiency (CAE) and CAE-ESG, which combine predictive performance with cost-efficiency and ESG alignment. These holistic measures support sustainable model selection aligned with the ISO 14001, GRI, and SASB benchmarks; they also demonstrate that, despite lower accuracy, Random Forest achieves the highest CAE-ESG score due to its low complexity and strong ESG profile. We also apply SHAP analysis to improve model interpretability and demonstrate business impact through enhanced Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) and reduced churn. This research offers a practical, interpretable, and sustainability-aware ML framework for supply chains, enabling more resilient, cost-effective, and responsible decision-making. Full article

To analyze the extent of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) reporting by all companies listed in the Bahrain Bourse, we investigated their levels of engagement with reporting their contributions to and progress towards achieving the SDGs. The analysis was conducted through content analysis based on the PwC (2016) and GRI (2016) frameworks, in addition to the business reporting indicators for the SDGs. The results provide evidence for a steady increase in the SDG disclosure levels from 2019 to 2022. Moreover, the results for the business reporting indicators for the SDGs demonstrate that not all the SDGs were equally addressed by the sampled companies. The SDGs that organizations can easily integrate into their business models were more frequently addressed (SDGs 1, 3, 4, and 9) than those of a macroeconomic nature. The results highlight the need for business organizations to adopt sustainability practices and embed SDG-related disclosures into their reporting systems. Moreover, this study offers new insights into the role of accounting in advancing the achievement of the SDGs. Full article

One of the core objectives of the European Green Deal in pursuing climate neutrality and sustainable development is the decarbonization of high-impact sectors. Among the most polluting is the fast fashion industry, driven by linear business models that must urgently transition to circular economy frameworks and decarbonized supply chains. Fast fashion poses significant environmental and social challenges due to its high greenhouse gas emissions, excessive resource consumption, and substantial waste generation. To foster greater sustainability within the sector, this study examines environmental indicators defined by the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), in accordance with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) 2022/2464. Aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), these standards aim to harmonize sustainability disclosures and enable better decision-making across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions throughout Europe. This research focuses on five key environmental aspects—climate change, pollution, water resource management, biodiversity, and circular economy/resource use—across four leading fast fashion brands: Mango, Zara, H&M, and Shein. Using an exploratory web-based methodology, this study evaluates how these companies disclose and implement ESG strategies in their supply chains. The central aim is to assess the sustainability and resilience of their operations, with particular emphasis on communication strategies that support the transition from linear to circular business models. Ultimately, this study seeks to highlight both the progress and persistent challenges faced by the fast fashion industry in aligning with ESG and ESRS requirements. Full article

Addressing the needs of society and the environment has become vital for organizations’ survival in the current business context. Stakeholders increasingly demand ethical practices, environmental responsibility, and a commitment to social well-being as integral components of sustainable business strategies. The study aims to explore and analyze Sustainable Human Resource Management (SHRM) practices within the context of sustainability reporting measures, specifically Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). By identifying and categorizing best practices in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and SHRM, the study intends to highlight the role of HRM in sustainability reporting and give actionable insights for organizations to improve their reporting strategies and integrate HRM more effectively into sustainability frameworks. The methodology adopted is bibliometric analysis, as it enables the identification of connections between various studies, authors, and topics across a large body of research. Concerning SHRM and ESG, 932 papers were analyzed, while 442 papers were considered for SHRM and GRI. The main findings reveal a lack of specific studies on SHRM within the ESG and GRI reporting, highlighting the need to include topics directly related to human resources in these reports to enhance the relevance and comprehensiveness of sustainability reports for various stakeholders. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of trends in integrating sustainable practices into human resource management and highlight the need for future academic studies to incorporate the analysis of HR-related components—both in terms of processes and their impact on stakeholders—within sustainability reporting. This reinforces the idea that ESG and GRI reporting should not be viewed solely through environmental or financial lenses but as comprehensive measures encompassing social and human capital dimensions, prompting a rethinking of traditional approaches. Full article

In the contemporary business environment, there is an increasing demand for companies to disclose information regarding their corporate sustainability practices. An increasing number of construction companies transparently publish their sustainability practices through corporate sustainability reports under the headings of economic, environmental, social and governance. In the context of current practices, construction companies publish corporate sustainability reports by using different reporting frameworks, especially in areas beyond financial aspects, including standards established by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) as well as various legal obligations such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Standard (CSRS). This diversity makes it difficult to compare reported data and draw meaningful conclusions. Therefore, this research aims to simplify the reported information by reducing corporate sustainability themes to the most relevant ones for construction companies. Sustainability reporting frameworks and guidelines were examined through thematic analysis; then, the materiality and validity of sustainability themes for construction “companies were assessed using the Delphi analysis technique. Themes such as “Energy” in the environmental dimension, “Health and safety issues” in the social dimension, “Financial performance” in the economic dimension and “Board structure” in the governance dimension were identified as the corporate sustainability themes with the highest degree of impact, with an acceptable consistency ratio as a result of the analyses. As a result of the study, a reporting framework was developed consisting of a total of twenty-six themes for construction companies. The identification of material themes facilitates the integration of construction companies into the corporate sustainability reporting process and provides benefits for the innovation and sustainability of the sector Full article

The construction industry is one of the most environmentally sensitive sectors, significantly impacting the adoption of sustainable development practices. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pillars are essential for assessing corporate sustainability performance, revealing risks, and guiding improvement. Despite the widespread use of indicators, a notable gap exists in ESG frameworks oriented to assess company performance within the sector, with limited research on achieving standard tools. This study proposes a practical standardized framework of indicators for the European construction industry and provides a set of KPIs for the Italian context, serving as a tool to measure and report ESG performance. The methodology consists of the selection of indicators from established protocols for assessing and reporting ESG criteria, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB). The selection process resulted in the identification of 118 indicators, categorized into 44 environmental, 54 social, and 20 governance indicators, enabling construction companies to comprehensively measure and report their ESG performance in accordance with disclosure regulations. The result of this work serves policymakers seeking to develop standardized frameworks specific to the construction industry, for defining expert panels to evaluate mandatory disclosures from companies, and as guidance for companies who need guidelines to assess their sustainability performance and ensure compliance and alignment with existing frameworks. Full article

The hospitality industry is a major segment of tourism, which is, in turn, a main economic contributor for many destinations. Sustainable tourism practices are promoted worldwide by international organizations like the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to assist different countries. Various frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and environmental indices and management systems such as ISO 14001 are common assessment tools for environmental sustainability. This research reviews the relevance of incorporating environmental and socio-economic factors within hotel operations that may lead to improved transparency and operational effectiveness while guaranteeing adherence to sustainability within the hotel business. Accordingly, a systematic review of environmental sustainability assessments in hotels was carried out. A comprehensive analysis of research articles published between January 2000 and January 2023 by reputed databases ranging from Google Scholar, Scopus, and others, were used to conduct the literature review. A total of 38 papers were examined adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards, and it is worth noting that a significant increase in interest emerged in 2018, especially in Europe and Asia. The review reiterated the relevance and need to use relevant assessment methods and tools that aid in implementing sustainable development strategies to promote tourism-dependent economies, which can serve as a guiding note for varied tourism destinations. It additionally provides valuable knowledge for future directions, whilst improving research methods and incorporating innovative technologies. These advancements are essential as they may guide policy decisions to protect the environment within the hospitality industry. Full article