PwC crowns sustainable reporters in FTSE

PricewaterhouseCoopers has announced the best sustainability reporters in the FTSE 100 & FTSE 250.

The building public trust awards acknowledged reports that not only set out sustainability guidelines, but how they linked to the strategy of the company.

Kevin Ellis, head of advisory services at PwC said that although sustainability has taken a back seat since the recession it will be "centre stage for everyone in the future and reporting is the key starting point."

"Every business decision in the coming years will have a sustainability element to it" said Ian Powell, chairman of PwC.

"It will be at the heart of all business decisions" he added.

The winner for a FTSE 100 company was Lonmin which was shortlisted against Hammerson and Xtrata.

The FTSE 250 winner was Ladbrokes shortlisted against Segro and Berkeley.

Just 139 companies were looked at. The company reports needed to show how corporate strategy targets linked to sustainability objectives and how the company would achieve them.

Other elements for the criteria included outlining key performance indicators; setting sustainable targets; the risks involved; business opportunities from climate change.

Since the Lehmans and the credit crunch, sustainability has taken a back seat but PwC believes over the next 20 years it will become a key business issue as it is now a strategic issue.

Further reading:

FTSE 350 pay 'lip service' to environment in annual reports