More than ever, companies’ sustainability practices are being investigated by a wide range of parties, including consumers and investors.

To avoid accusations of greenwashing, firms need to back up environmental and social claims with data. But getting into granular details on too many aspects can be overwhelming for both the companies and outsiders reading reports. Additionally, with numerous certifications and assessments, it can be a challenge to know which proof will be most credible and impactful.

A Sourcing Journal webinar on Dec. 16 explored the complexities of sustainability disclosures and how companies can find the right balance between breadth and brevity. Investors value verified ESG data, but it comes with a significant cost. Meanwhile, few consumers are willing to spend significant amounts of time delving into sustainability information, requiring a more easily digested form of proof that still meets their expectations for transparency.

Aside from catering to the varying needs of different audiences for sustainability reports, there is the added complication of competing and changing stakeholder values. Sustainability is a moving target, and companies’ reporting strategies will need to evolve accordingly to effectively show progress.

Watch this webinar, part of Sourcing Journal’s Sustaining Voices program in partnership with Cotton Incorporated, to learn more about:

• Which areas of sustainability are the current top priorities for fashion companies
• What topics consumers and investors actually care about
• How to establish credible claims
• Why fashion could use its own equivalent to the Energy Star label
• How sustainability measurement tools like the Higg Index are keeping up-to-date with science
• Where to start with developing more holistic, data-backed sustainability reporting

Speakers:

• Taylor Reed, Analyst, Sector Lead – Consumer Goods, The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board
• Jason Kibbey, CEO, Higg Co
• Jesse Daystar, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Cotton Incorporated
• Caletha Crawford, Publisher, Sourcing Journal (moderator)