All talk no action for social responsibilty

Many Australian businesses appear not to be pulling their weight when it comes to their corporate social responsibility (CSR), according to a recent report by consultant firm Grant Thornton.

The study found that just 52% of the country's top 300 listed companies published information on their environmental performance or policies in the latest profit reporting season.

Furthermore, just 28% provided details on action to reduce greenhouse gases.

Peter Moloney, director of business risk services at Grant Thornton, said the results are disappointing at a time when there is considerable debate about climate change.

"We actually think that companies that don't get this right will get left behind," he said.

"If you can't demonstrate if you are going for business with other organisations that you have good CSR credentials, you can't demonstrate you are taking them seriously and you are less likely to get the business.

"And if you look at the shareholder groups, they are clearly asking for more information in that area at the moment."

The study also found that just 36% of companies divulged their HR policies — including maternity leave and diversity — while only 47% reported on their community activities and initiatives.

Australia has no requirement for companies to produce their CSR obligations, unlike other countries such as the UK.

"Some of the larger [Australian] companies actually get it and are providing that sort of information, but the smaller ones are definitely not getting it," Maloney said.

"It's obviously time for there to be more guidance."

He said he was aware that many companies were talking about climate change, but he was not confident that they were approaching it in a structured manner.

"Everyone knows, and they talk about it, but have they got a structured program in place to deal with it? The answer is probably no."