More and more companies are looking to follow the highest quality and sustainability standards when it comes to informing customers and investors. This year, EPRA distinguished a total of 65 companies, 10 more than last year, 50 of which received the Golden Award, 6 received the Silver Award and 9 the Bronze Award, awards that aim to contribute to "raise the standards and consistency of sustainability reporting for listed companies across Europe," according to the organization.
EPRA distinguishes annually the best performing companies from their annual sustainability reports, encouraging companies to follow their guidelines accordingly. Companies are assessed on the basis of their public disclosure against sBPR Performance Measures, covering environmental, social and corporate impacts and sBPR Overarching Recommendations, consisting of 10 principles which underpin good quality disclosure.
This year, 47% of the applicants companies received the award, which means that the awards represent 73% of the total value of all companies included in the 2018 edition with respect to market capitalization. This shows that companies are working to increase the quality of their reports and to better inform their investors with credible and accurate information. Highlight for British Land, Citcon, Klépierre or Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield which have been distinguished for seven consecutive years with the Gold Award.
On the other hand, there are more companies awarded the Gold Award, 35% of the total in 2018, compared with 8% in 2012. The number of companies that did not report any sustainability information dropped from 32% last year to 15% in 2018.
On a country by country analysis, it is observed that 100% of Swedish companies continued this year to make public information available on their sustainability for the second consecutive year. The number increased from 41% in 2017 to 69% this year for German companies, and from 69% to 89% for UK companies.
Social and governance Performance Measures are included for the first time
In the 2018 edition of the sBPR were included for the first time in this report social and governance performance measures.
86% of companies reported against at least one social Performance Measure and 74% reported against all governance Performance Measures. To be considered for the award, was necessary a minimum of 16 Performance Measures related to energy, water, waste and building certification, 12 Performance Measures related to social and governance indicators, and 10 Overarching Recommendation.
Gender diversity was the most reported, followed by employee turnover, training and development. Nevertheless, the gap between wages of the two genders was the least reported theme by companies, with only 26% of firms reporting this.
Next year, the awards will be awarded based on all social and governance Performance Measures.
See the complete list of winners here.