Learn from the Leaders

This ICT initiative is based on a research process designed to bring to the fore voices and experiences of media personnel who share information about sustainable development with the public, worldwide. The searchable Learn from the Leaders website features examples of sustainability reporting from reports that were assessed using SustainAbility's Global Reporters assessment methodology, which includes 29 criteria, grouped into 4 categories: Governance and strategy (11 criteria); Management (9 criteria); Presentation of performance (5 criteria); and Accessibility and assurance (4 criteria).

The web process is searchable and interactive. Users (who must pay a fee for long-term usage) may: compare reporting on specific topics; assess how others identify and manage their material issues; strategise about how to adapt narrative, design, and layout; and learn about different approaches to assurance and verification. This information may be searched across industry sectors and geographical regions. On an ongoing basis, database users are encouraged to submit examples of individual indicators (and whole reports) that they feel display best practice.

Sustainable Development.

The organisers were motivated by the observation that there has been a rise in media interest in corporate sustainability, as evidenced (in part) by a growth in the number of publications devoted to this topic. They contend that companies are being urged by consumers, media, and governmental bodies, as well as from within the industry, to report beyond the financial bottom line - that is, "to cover an organization's environmental, social, economic, and governance performance". Learn from the Leaders is an effort to make reporting more relevant and effective.