This publication from the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) and ICAS (the professional accountancy body), in partnership with the Green Economy Coalition has been developed to help organizations enhance their contribution to the SDGs, whilst reducing corporate risk and increasing opportunities that arise from sustainable development issues.
The report, authored by academic Professor Carol Adams, is centred on the concept of the six capitals, which is a fundamental feature of Integrated Reporting. It addresses how, through efforts to transforms the capitals to create value for themselves and for others, organizations can make a material contribution to the SDGs, as well as clarify how they are mitigating or alleviating any detrimental effects.
The sustainable development issues which gave rise to the Sustainable Development Goals pose limitations on the availability of capitals on which businesses rely. This framework is aligned with the multi-capital International <IR> Framework issued by the International Integrated Reporting Council.
Through its emphasis on connectivity and Board oversight, it facilitates high-level engagement and a holistic approach (integrated thinking).
Using this framework, organizations will be able to:
This document does not develop indicators or prioritized disclosures to report contributions to the SDGs. Rather it draws on the concepts, guiding principles and content elements of the <IR> Framework and its notion of integrated thinking to help organizations respond to the SDGs.
This document is aimed at those seeking to enhance the contribution to the SDGs by organizations and those seeking to reduce corporate risk and increase opportunities arising from sustainable development issues. It is particularly relevant to organizations seeking to maximize value creation over the long term and to reassess their mission and purpose.
Within these organizations it is intended for those responsible for developing strategy, those responsible for corporate reporting and to boards. The document is also relevant to those seeking to hold companies to account – investors, regulators, governments, NGOs and other corporate stakeholders – and, of course, to current and potential users of integrated reports.