The 10th Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards (ASRA), the region’s most prestigious platform for recognising corporate sustainability reporting excellence, provided key insights into industry perspectives through live audience polls conducted during the ceremony. Attendees, including corporate leaders, sustainability professionals, and reporting experts, participated in four interactive polls, shedding light on the future of sustainability reporting in Asia.
Asia’s role in sustainability reporting regulation
With Europe scaling back its Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the U.S. easing SEC sustainability reporting requirements, the first poll asked how Asian regulators should respond. The results indicated a strong preference for leadership in sustainability reporting:
– 48% of respondents said Asia should lead the way by expanding mandatory sustainability reporting for all public companies.
– 45% believed Asian regulators should focus on what’s best for the region, rather than following the regulatory shifts in the EU and U.S.
Diversity reporting remains a priority in Asia
Despite changes in diversity reporting regulations in the U.S., a significant 68% of attendees affirmed that their organisations would continue to prioritise and report on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts as usual. This reflects a deep-rooted commitment to diversity in sustainability reporting across Asia.
Support for double materiality in sustainability reports
The third poll tackled the ongoing debate on materiality in sustainability reporting. An overwhelming 81% of respondents supported double materiality, which considers both financial and environmental/social impacts of a company. This aligns with the growing emphasis on comprehensive ESG disclosures.
Why ASRA matters to businesses
When asked about the significance of the Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards, responses highlighted the importance of recognition and benchmarking:
– 48% stated that winning an ASRA award enhances their company’s reputation as a sustainability leader.
– 33% cited the value of benchmarking against competitors, indicating that businesses see ASRA as a crucial tool for measuring sustainability performance.
What is ASRA?
The Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards (ASRA), established by CSRWorks International in 2015, is Asia’s most respected platform for recognising excellence in sustainability reporting. ASRA rewards companies that demonstrate transparency, accountability, and strong sustainability practices through their reporting frameworks. The awards set industry benchmarks, encouraging businesses across the region to improve their sustainability disclosures and stakeholder engagement.
Now in its 10th year, ASRA continues to play a key role in driving higher standards of sustainability reporting, fostering corporate responsibility, and shaping the future of sustainability reporting in Asia.
