By Chad Upham, Principal, Covive

On May 7-9, 2008, I had the privilege of attending the Amsterdam Conference on Sustainability and Transparency produced by the Global Reporting initiative. The majority of conference sessions were set in a debate format, with panels representing diverse interests, cultures, and sectors.

The following nine observations are a synthesis of ideas stated repeatedly by speakers and panelists over the course of the three-day conference.

1. Sustainability reporting is only worthwhile when it is an outgrowth of core business strategy that aligns with principles of sustainable development.
2. A sustainability programme and non-financial reporting must be driven by CEO, board, and executive management.
3. Materiality, stakeholder inclusiveness, and balanced reporting are critical to establish credibility.
4. In order to be useful to journalists and analysts, reports must be produced on an ongoing basis with consistency (of framework / format), comparability (of historical data), and objectivity (of disclosures).
5. Refrain from diluted corporate speak. Readers will believe you, and in turn give you their trust and confidence when you boldly confront your challenges and failings. “Dare to be juicy.”
6. You will never please everyone. Actively solicit and respond to positive and negative feedback to inform future action - and future reporting.
7. Regulated, mandatory reporting, while far off in the United States, is occurring by some governments, and may serve to level the playing field by establishing a common framework by which all companies disclose performance and by which they may be audited / held accountable.
8. Sustainability issues are relevant to investment decisions as the impacts of social and environmental conditions increase.
9. Climate change remains an imminent catastrophe that threatens the extinction of humans and the ecosystems / species we rely on. Business, government and civil society worldwide MUST ACT NOW to drastically cut carbon emissions through energy efficiency and alternative renewable energy sources. Where business will not / cannot change itself voluntarily, government and civil society MUST STEP UP to put pressure on business. That is their duty.

Mishal Husain and Nik Gowing of the BBC each moderated two 90 minute sessions, one representing the interests of civil society and labor unions, one representing the interests of financial markets, and one representing business management and corporate governenace. The final, dynamic session will be broadcast on the BBC on May 17 and 18 as part of a special series: The BBC World Debate - How accountable is business?

Host: Nik Gowing
Michael Rake, Chairman of BT (British Telephone)
Gerd Leipold, Executive Director of Greenpeace International
Maud Olofsson, Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden
Bruno Prior, Summerleaze Ltd.
Alex Sink, Chief Financial Officer, Florida
Alessandro Carlucci, CEO Natura, Brazil

You may refer to the following website for broadcast times.
http://www.bbcworld.com/

Mishal Husain, Anchor of BBC World, moderates panel on Civil Society and Sustainability Reporting.

Nik Gowing, BBC World News Presenter, moderates a dynamic panel conversation on sustainability reporting and business accountability for BBC series "The World Debate" to air May 17 and 18, 2008.

See the winners of the GRI 2008 Readers' Choice Awards.