Tips
The investor relations page of a public company website provides access to company reports, including annual (10-K) and quarterly (10-Q) filings. A company's most recent 10-K can provide insight and information into a company's current perspective on corporate social responsibility.
Company websites and 10-Ks can highlight efforts towards climate change, board diversity, sustainability, social fundraising, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Companies may also report on specific campaigns and efforts in periodic ESG reports that address their progress and commitment, in relation to their business strategy and goals.
- A simple Google search for the company name + "investor relations" can help you locate these resources on a company website.
Tips for Searching the 10-K (use ctrl+f to locate specific phrases within the report):
- Company statements related to social and environmental efforts often appear under "Part 1, Item 1: Business," section of the 10-K, which addresses the company's operations.
- Social and governance efforts may appear under headings such as "Human Capital Management," "Culture," 'Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," or "Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion."
- Statements and updates related to the company's environmental consciousness may appear under headings such as "Sustainability" or "Environmental Matters."
- Words and phrases for searching environmental efforts and issues within an 10-K include: "environmental," "pollution", "emissions," "energy," "sustainability," "recycling."
- Words and phrases for searching social efforts and issues include: "equity," "equality," "diversity," "inclusion," "social justice," "gender," "race" "DE&I," EED&I".
Where to search
Often, companies promote their corporate social responsibility reports and practices on websites. Usually the CSR policies and activities will be found in the "About Us" or "Investor Relations" area. Look for terms using Ctrl+F and key terms like "sustainability", "diversity", "inclusion." "social," or "community."
Example: From PepsiCo.com
If you are having difficulty finding information about CSR on a company website, you can use these websites to search for CSR and ESG reports.
- Corporate Register
The world's largest directory of Corporate Social Responsibility reports is the Corporate Register. This searchable database is free to use, but you must register using your .edu email address.
- CSRWire: CSR Reports
Recent sustainability and corporate social responsibility reports. View all or sort by industry.
CSR Rankings
- Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes
Indexes allow asset managers to analyze "reliable and objective benchmarks to manage sustainability portfolios."
- CorpWatch
"Research and journalism to corporate malfeasance and to advocate for multinational corporate accountability and transparency."
- Global 100
Annual index of most sustainable corporations in the world published by Corporate Knights.
- ESG Reports and Ratings: What They Are, Why They Matter
From HLS Forum on Corporate Govenance and Financial Regulation, provides a list sources for ESG reports and ratings.