Question

You will need to use the external information (media, government and the sustainability assurance report to assess the quality of this report) to analyse the application of the accountability model to the sustainability report. In other words, did this organisation respond to its stakeholders, how and why?

Answer 1

​A sustainability report is a report published by a company or organization about the economic, environmental and social impacts caused by its everyday activities. A sustainability report also presents the organization's values and governance model, and demonstrates the link between its strategy and its commitment to a sustainable global economy.Sustainability reporting can help organizations to measure, understand and communicate their economic, environmental, social and governance performance, and then set goals, and manage change more effectively. A sustainability report is the key platform for communicating sustainability performance and impacts – whether positive or negative.Sustainability reporting can be considered as synonymous with other terms for non-financial reporting; triple bottom line reporting, corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting, and more. It is also an intrinsic element of integrated reporting; a more recent development that combines the analysis of financial and non-financial performance.

Benefits of assurance

• Increased recognition, trust and credibility.
• Reduced risk and increased value.
• Improved Board and CEO level engagement.
• Strengthened internal reporting and management systems
• Improved stakeholder communication

The assurance provider will issue an assurance report or statement that may be disclosed as part of the sustainability reporting process. This document is drafted and often signed by the assurance provider. The form and content vary depending on the assurance scope, the assurance standard being used and, to some extent, on the assurance provider preferences.Assurance reports or statements may also refer to the entities or parts of an organization that were included in the assurance process. For very large or multinational organizations, it is important to specify which business units or subsidiaries are included and the different boundaries19 for information in the sustainability report. In addition to the publicly disclosed assurance report or statement, assurance providers may also prepare a separate ‘management letter’, with detailed findings and recommendations for management or board consideration. This feedback can be used to begin or continue a dialogue with executives or the board about management and reporting of sustainability issues.

In conclusion we can say that, there are certain standards and rules that an assurer should follow. And from the information given, its only a sub part of an assurance standard. So we can't completely say that the organisation is completely responds to its stake holders or the audience. If the assurer keep or in compliance with the requirements in assurance standards, we can say that the organisation respond to the Stake holders.