When it comes to sustainability reporting, it depends on how serious companies are about making change

There have been growing calls for more corporate disclosure and accountability in the face of income inequality, governance failures and the mismanagement of natural resources. (Shutterstock)

Companies are facing pressure to become more open about how they do business. With income inequality, governance failures and the mismanagement of natural resource capital threatening both society and the environment, there are growing calls for more corporate disclosure and accountability.

Many firms now report how they are doing along economic, environmental and social lines in what is called a sustainability report. These reports give stakeholders, such as investors, customers and regulators, a comprehensive view of how businesses create value over time.