Sustainable development reporting: international and Russian experience

In recent years, the phenomena of Sustainable Development have been explored in an extensive body of theoretical and empirical research. In order to inform all interested users and to evaluate their own success in achieving the long-term sustainability targets, companies draw up Sustainable Development Reporting (SDR). Although the literature suggests many possible approaches to accounting for sustainability, there is no consensus on the best way forward. This article analyzes methodology and best practice of SDR. In particular, 47 Russian companies’ SD reports were analyzed; that helped find out their main features. The study helpedto outline strengths and weaknesses of SDR in Russia. The results of international SDR best practice analysis were taken into account. Our findings show positive trend in the number and growing quality of SD reports provided by Russian companies. The analysis of SDR best practice helped us to recommend key performance indicators of sustainable development that can be used by small and medium-sized entities in their practice.