Reports started emerging from this region in the early 1990s but growth was limited until the late 1990s, when it suddenly became exponential. Three countries were almost entirely responsible for this increase: Australia, Japan and New Zealand. Growth doubled every year between 1996 and 2000 across these countries, only levelling off recently.
Just under half have external assurance. Over half the reports published in the region between 2001 and 2003 were produced in East and South East Asia. Australasia accounted for 43% and South Asia just 1%.
In the period between 2001and 2003, over half the reports produced were environmental reports, with an additional fifth having a strong environmental element. A further fifth of reports were full sustainability or corporate responsibility reports.
The large number of public sector reports published by the Hong Kong Government departments are not included in this data. Since the government implemented mandatory environmental reporting for all its 80 agencies, the number of reports has risen significantly. In 1999, 76 environmental reports were published, rising to 84 in both 2000 and 2001.
Due to various internal departmental changes, the reporting figure dropped slightly to 75 in 2002. It is estimated around 75 government bodies, departments and bureaux now report on an annual basis.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW: Reporting uptake by companies has been relatively slow in Hong Kong, with fewer than 10 reports a year on average, and few newcomers each year, since the emergence of the first stand-alone environmental, health and safety report in 1997. Reporting activity in Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan and India is emerging, although still low compared with Japan and Hong Kong.
The concept of environmental and sustainability reporting is a relatively recent development with only a handful of pioneer companies publishing reports to date. A number of multinational companies are also helping to lead the way by publishing reports on their local operations. By contrast, Australia and New Zealand have taken a leading role in developing reporting guidance and driving voluntary reporting.
Reporting countries to gather momentum, with a strong representation from the mining sector. Over 40% of all reports in this region originate from these two countries. A high proportion of these reports have external assurance. In Japan, early publication of guidance by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Industry has had a remarkable influence in promoting the production of environmental reports.
MAIN DRIVERS FOR CHANGE IN REPORTING: Among the limited private sector reporters in Hong Kong, the main driver for reporting has been the desire to demonstrate leadership in corporate responsibility. The government has introduced legislation for government agencies and has also held large, free seminars to promote reporting by private companies.
Similar drivers may encourage greater uptake in reporting elsewhere in the region.