Connecting EHS And Sustainability Disclosures For Organizational Objectives

Published 5 July 2019 by Steve Bolton & Sarah Bloch &

Air Emissions EHS Analytics EHS Software Environment, Health & Safety GHG Emissions Product Sustainability Sustainability Management Water & Waste Water Strategic Focus

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Executive Summary

Sustainability historically focused on environmental indicators but has since evolved to encompass a broad range of environmental, social and governance issues. These metrics have become increasingly important in corporate reporting. Although primarily still voluntary, sustainability disclosures have become a competitive necessity in many industries, and help corporate stakeholders measure firms’ long-term value creation, outlooks and risks. Incorporating sustainability into the evolving EHS role can be viewed as extending internal EHS activities beyond a firm’s four walls to include the broader environment, local communities and society. This report serves as a lens for EHS managers to: 1) understand the key drivers and value behind the trend of integrated EHS & Sustainability (EHS&S) reporting; 2) highlight firms’ key activities in overcoming transitional challenges; and 3) create awareness of three scenarios of aligned reporting in business today.

Connecting EHS And Sustainability Disclosures For Organizational Objectives
Integrated Reporting Is Becoming Increasingly Important To The Long-Term Success Of An Organization
Firms Are Adapting Their Processes, Budgets And Organizational Structures To Align Reporting And Alleviate Key Challenges
Three Scenarios Can Be Used To Categorize The Maturity Levels Of A Firm’s Alignment Of EHS&S Reporting

Table of figures

Figure 1. Importance Of Reporting And Analytical Capability In Operational Risk Software
Figure 2. Three Scenarios Of EHS&S Alignment By (A) People, (B) Processes, (C) Technology And (D) Outputs

Organisations mentioned

Enviance, ExxonMobil, Gensuite, IsoMetrix, Shell, thinkstep, UN, Volkswagen

About the authors

Steve Bolton

Research Director

Steve leads the Verdantix EHS research practice, based out of our New York office. He has 25 years of experience advising on sustainability, EHS, circular economy, corporate social responsibility and other business value topics. Steve received a dual environmental science and public policy Bachelor's degree from The College of William and Mary, a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University, and an MBA degree from James Madison University.

Sarah Bloch

Analyst

Sarah is an Analyst in the Verdantix EHS practice. Her current research agenda focuses on emerging technology, trends and best practices across EHS analytics, industrial wearables and sustainability management. Prior to Verdantix, Sarah worked in strategy consulting and research for business, industry and the public sector in South Africa. Sarah holds a Bsc in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Cape Town.