Key tools and frameworks for sustainability disclosure

Chapter 1, by Pistoni and Songini, contributes to the debate on sustainability disclosure by critically review main relevant frameworks and tools that have been proposed since the '30s of XX century, until today. The evolutionary perspective shows that voluntary disclosure on social and environmental issues is rooted in a long tradition mainly in Western countries. Not only private firms, but also not for profit association, banks and state owned companies have been involved in the movement towards a more integrate, transparent and accountable disclosure to stakeholders. Historically, the first tool used to voluntary communicate with stakeholders was the social balance sheet. More recently, in the '80s of the XX century, the environmental report gained attention. In the '90s, various proposals were launched on how to integrate financial disclosure with non-financial information. Over the decades a convergence has occurred among practices and tools developed in different companies and countries, both in terms of quality and assurance of the reported information, and content of reports. A brief description of main frameworks, standards and mechanisms proposed for corporate social disclosure (CSD) is outlined, such as: the social balance sheet, the environmental report, and the sustainability report.