The building blocks of reliable, comparable, and relevant ESG information begin with a foundation of quality reporting by company management. Public company auditors are uniquely qualified to enhance the reliability of company-prepared ESG information.
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The CAQ looked at ESG reports, company websites, completed CDP Climate Change Questionnaires, and third-party assurance or verification reports for 2022 period end data from S&P 500 companies to understand what they disclosed about ESG reporting standards and frameworks, GHG emissions, assurance or verification over the ESG information, and net zero or carbon neutral commitments.
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Auditors are known to adapt quickly to the changing world around them and are used to applying skills like objectivity, skepticism, and standards-based analysis across countless different industries. Like the audits of financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, third-party assurance from a public company audit firm enhances the reliability of ESG information presented by companies.
Percentage of S&P 500 companies that receive independent auditor assurance over their ESG reports, including leading companies like Alphabet, Nike and Coca-Cola.
CAQ 2024 S&P 500 analysis
Proportion of public firms disclosing ESG data.
CAQ 2024 S&P 500 analysis
Expansion in accessible sustainable funds for U.S. investors after 2021