The KPMG Survey of Sustainability Reporting has tracked monumental changes in sustainability reporting since the survey was first published in 1993. Back then – almost 30 years ago – a paltry 12 percent of companies published sustainability reports. Today, the figure stands at 80 percent and over 90 percent among the largest companies in the world.

In this 11^th edition of the survey, KPMG professionals reviewed sustainability reporting from 5,200 companies in 52 countries and jurisdictions – including Malaysia – making this the most extensive survey in the series to date.

The survey provides a detailed look at global trends in sustainability reporting and offers insights for business leaders, company boards and sustainability professionals. Its aim is to support those who have a responsibility for assessing and preparing their own organization’s sustainability reporting. The survey also serves as a guide to investors, asset managers and ratings agencies who now factor sustainability or Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) information into their assessment of corporate performance and risk.

Key trends observed

• Sustainability reporting in Asia Pacific has grown by 6 percent since 2017 to 84 percent. Many countries and jurisdictions in the region are among the global leaders including Japan (100 percent), Malaysia (99 percent), India (98 percent), Taiwan (93 percent) and Australia (92 percent)
• 99 percent of the top 100 companies in Malaysia report on sustainability, while 97 percent include sustainability information in their annual reports
• 31 companies in Malaysia have published integrated reports, up from 5 in 2017
• While there has been an increase in recognizing climate risk to businesses, Malaysian corporations still lag behind in reporting on climate risks and the financial implications of these risks