Measuring progress towards ESG goals: Public relations as a steward of transparency

Abstract

Sustainability and its latest framework Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) make sense through communications. As such, the public relations function of an organization is essential for maintaining transparent and ongoing communications with stakeholders about the organization’s ESG and sustainability efforts. This mixed-methods research study seeks to understand the state of ESG communications and reporting in Canada. It examines how and to what extent public relations practitioners are involved in ESG reporting and how reporting influences ongoing and transparent communications with organizational stakeholders in an era of heightened ESG regulations and ESG criticism. Focusing on the practices of the 2024 Best 50 Corporate Citizens by Corporate Knights, the research concluded that public relations positively influence an organization’s transparent and ongoing ESG communications and reporting. Additionally, it revealed the crucial role stakeholders play in the ESG process, as they help shape and evolve an organization’s strategy. Future research could explore the communications and reporting practices of organizations in specific sectors or those with low environmental performance.