The Role of Sustainability Reporting and Governance in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: An International Investigation

This article explores the role of sustainability reporting and governance in achieving national sustainable development goals. Sustainable development goals focus on economic, societal, and environmental issues and have been set up to address issues regarding environmental degradation, global imbalances, economic instability, social instability, and political instability. Using data from 42 countries over six years, the authors apply panel regression techniques and find a positive relationship between national governance and sustainability reporting; sustainability reporting and national sustainable development goals; sustainability governance and sustainability reporting. We found a negative relationship between national governance and sustainable development goals. Sustainability reporting is also found to mediate between national governance and sustainable development goals. Thus, this paper contributes to the body of existing knowledge by highlighting the role of governance and sustainability reporting in the achievement of sustainable development goals. The findings have several implications for governing bodies and decision-makers in government, including changing the governance model and taking strict actions against companies that fail to focus their attention on sustainability reporting. The findings involve society, business, and other stakeholders in sustainability reporting measures to achieve sustainable development goals.

Automated summary

This article examines the role of sustainability reporting and governance in achieving national sustainable development goals. Using panel regression techniques on data from 42 countries over six years, the authors find positive relationships between national governance and sustainability reporting, sustainability reporting and national sustainable development goals, and sustainability governance and sustainability reporting. However, a negative relationship is found between national governance and sustainable development goals. The study also highlights the mediating role of sustainability reporting between national governance and sustainable development goals. These findings have important implications for governing bodies and decision-makers, emphasizing the need to change governance models and take action against companies that neglect sustainability reporting. Involving society, business, and other stakeholders in sustainability reporting is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals.