The Sustainability Report and Stakeholder Inclusion: A Responsible Growth Model

In recent years, the concept of sustainability has become central to business strategies, prompting many companies to adopt a more responsible approach to the environment, society and governance. In this context, the sustainability report has become a fundamental tool for reporting the impact of corporate activities and promoting a long-term business model. However, one of the key aspects for the success and credibility of such a report is the inclusion of stakeholders. Involving all stakeholders in the decision-making and reporting process not only improves transparency, but also fosters a positive impact across the value chain.

What is the Sustainability Report?

The sustainability report is an official document with which a company communicates to its stakeholders, both internal and external, the results obtained in the social, environmental and economic fields. Unlike financial reporting, which focuses exclusively on economic aspects, sustainability reporting extends to all dimensions of the business, including intangible ones such as reputation, business ethics, and natural resource management.

The guidelines for drafting this document are usually based on internationally recognized standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), or the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) that help define common criteria for measuring and communicating the impact of companies. In Europe, large companies are obliged to submit sustainability reporting, including information on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

The Crucial Role of Stakeholders

One of the elements that distinguishes an effective sustainability report is the inclusion of stakeholders, i.e. all the people and groups who can influence or be influenced by the company’s activities. Stakeholders include a wide range of categories: employees, customers, suppliers, investors, local communities, government institutions and beyond.

Including stakeholders in the preparation and implementation of sustainability strategies is important for several reasons:

Improves Transparency: Actively involving stakeholders in the reporting process offers a comprehensive view of the company’s impact. Stakeholders provide critical feedback that can help the company identify areas for improvement, prevent risks and anticipate critical issues.

Fosters Trust: Transparency and direct involvement build trust. When customers, employees, and business partners see that the company is committed to considering their interests and addressing their concerns, the company’s reputation benefits. This often leads to increased customer loyalty, stronger employee motivation, and stronger supplier relationships.

Supports Dialogue and Innovation: Stakeholder engagement creates a space for open dialogue that stimulates innovation. Companies that listen to and collaborate with stakeholders are more agile in responding to new trends and market expectations.

How to Engage Stakeholders

To effectively include stakeholders in the sustainability reporting process, companies must follow a few key practices:

Mapping stakeholders: Identifying who the stakeholders are and their level of influence is the first step in creating an inclusive budget.

Foster two-way communication: Create open channels to gather feedback and discuss crucial issues transparently.

Measure and respond: After collecting input, companies must demonstrate how this information is being used to improve internal practices and meet expectations.

The sustainability report therefore represents not only an obligation, but an opportunity for companies to demonstrate their commitment to responsible growth. The inclusion of stakeholders strengthens this process, ensuring that sustainability policies are authentic, transparent and oriented towards continuous improvement. For companies, the active involvement of stakeholders is not only an ethical practice, but a winning strategy to create long-term value and strengthen their role in society.