The percentage of large companies around the world disclosing and obtaining assurance on data related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) is on the rise, but the percentage of assurance provided by accounting firms is heading in the opposite direction.
Ninety-five percent of companies reported some ESG information, and 64% obtained some level of assurance on that data in 2021, according to The State of Play: Sustainability Disclosure & Assurance. In 2019, 91% of companies reported some ESG information, and 51% obtained some assurance.
The study, co-authored by AICPA & CIMA and the International Federation of Accountants, reviewed the 2021 disclosures of 1,350 of the largest accounting firms in 21 jurisdictions. See more findings.