The metrics and KPIs listed in the chart are primarily lagging (i.e., results based) indicators of performance
that do not necessarily provide an indication of whether an organization is addressing material ESG issues
to achieve improved performance. Investors may also be interested in tracking leading indicators of future
performance, which they will use to assess management credibility, either through active engagement with
the management of companies or from effective business reporting.
Some investors and companies are also now on a journey toward better understanding the ESG impact on
financial performance and valuations. Their focus is typically on identifying material ESG factors and KPIs
related to the drivers of competitive advantage and sustainable value creation that will ultimately drive
financial performance.
Linking ESG factors and KPIs to financial drivers of performance can be done in various ways, with many
investors integrating ESG information into their traditional financial analysis. Investors can assess financial
outcomes of various ESG factors in terms of changes to cash flows and earnings impact, cost of capital,
and asset values. Linking environmental factors to financial performance in terms of cash flow and earnings
impact is increasingly common although human capital information can also be incorporated into financial
analysis where data is reliable. Using carbon dioxide as an example, investors may track measures such as
carbon cost as a percentage of revenue; carbon cost as a percentage of earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, and amortization; financial impact of carbon dioxide allowance trading; and impact of
compliance costs on cash flows and earnings.
A list of useful resources, including reporting frameworks and guidelines, is included in the full-length
Investor Demand for Environmental, Social, and Governance Disclosures report, available on the IFAC
website (www.ifac.org/paib). Key references include:
The International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC): The IIRC, formed in 2010, is developing a globally
accepted integrated reporting framework (www.theiirc.org).
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): GRI produces a comprehensive Sustainability Reporting Framework that is
widely used around the world to enable greater organizational transparency (www.globalreporting.org).
Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB): CDSB developed a Climate Change Reporting Framework
designed to encourage a harmonized approach to the preparation of climate change-related disclosures
that complement financial statements (www.cdsb.net).
The IFAC Sustainability Framework 2.0 is available in Publications and Resources on the IFAC website (www.ifac.org/paib).