According to a new report, Sandpiper Global Reputation Capital Index, ESG and sustainability were the weakest areas of reputation management for organisations in Hong Kong and globally. Only 2% are leading in ESG and sustainability in Hong Kong and 9% globally.
Based on four performance categories for reputation management, analysed across nine areas, 12% globally qualify as Trailblazers, while others were categorised as Aspirants (54%), Followers (32%), and Beginners (3%).
ESG and sustainability
The report reveals that 31% of Hong Kong's organisations rate themselves as strong in ESG and sustainability, despite 86% considering the two areas to be important reputational areas.
Further, data showed that less than half of respondent organisations (43%) in Hong Kong regularly produce any form of sustainability and ESG reporting at least annually, and only 13% have a dedicated sustainability and ESG team.
Communications
Alarmingly, 68% of people in Hong Kong say they don't believe in the accuracy of organisational ESG and sustainability communications, and only 20% have established a climate communications strategy.
Around 34% say their organisations' sustainability strategies align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Advancing sustainability goals
"Amid increasing sustainability issues globally and as we approach the mid-point of the decade of action, the findings are clear that more needs to be done to advance sustainability goals. As stakeholder activism grows and greenwashing regulations increase, organisations that are unprepared risk being caught off guard and experiencing major reputational damages," Emma Smith, Sandpiper CEO, said.
