Temporal Dynamics In Climate Change Disclosure: The Interplay of Consistency and Accountability in Greenhouse-gas Targets Setting
Type
forthcoming
Author(s)
Abstract (De)
Sustainability commitments are long-term and should therefore be evaluated not only regarding the far future but also against the past. Nevertheless, we know very little about how sustainability disclosures change over time. To answer this question, we followed the development of Greenhouse (GHG) emissions reduction targets of 105 S&P companies from six sectors, as described in their standalone sustainability reports.
Our findings reveal significant issues with temporal comparability within the firm. Across all sectors, more than 50% of the targets were either set in hindsight, shifted, or disbanded. We use these findings to develop a typology of comparability comprised of consistency and accountability. Our results add a temporal dimension to the disclosure readability literature and apply to greenwashing and impression management. We also provide recommendations for practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
Our findings reveal significant issues with temporal comparability within the firm. Across all sectors, more than 50% of the targets were either set in hindsight, shifted, or disbanded. We use these findings to develop a typology of comparability comprised of consistency and accountability. Our results add a temporal dimension to the disclosure readability literature and apply to greenwashing and impression management. We also provide recommendations for practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SoM - Responsible Corporate Competitiveness (RoCC)
Refereed
No
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
266449
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
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Name
targets GRONEN 2022.pptx
Size
1.23 MB
Format
Microsoft Powerpoint XML
Checksum (MD5)
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