Accountability

Industry Goal:  An industry that is open, accountable and communicating progress

PACIA member companies report to a wide range of mandatory and voluntary reporting forums, including Annual Reports, financial reporting requirements, National Packaging Covenant, National Pollutant Inventory (NPI), Energy Efficiency Opportunities, State regulatory requirements as well as staff, community and customer networks.

The is much work underway at the international, national, state and local levels to develop metrics to communicate sustainability progress, including the United Nations global indicators for sustainability and the Global Reporting Initiative framework used by some companies to report on economic, social and environmental performance.

Companies are increasingly incorporating environmental and social information into their performance reports in response to the expectations of shareholders, as well as a broader group of stakeholders such as regulators, communities, customers and employees.  

The market place for plastics and chemicals products is also changing with pressure for greater transparency and information about products from the industries customers', particularly those closest to final customers, such as retailers and brand owners. Product stewardship provides a framework for companies to actively engage with suppliers and customers. A product stewardship program would include communication and information sharing strategies including, appropriate education, training and awareness raising, suitable labelling on products and other relevant information or advice. These strategies create clear business value and better customer and relationships.  

Integrating sustainability requires processes to share and communicate progress within the business, through participation, consultation and engagement with employees and contractors. Successful organisations involve employees in decisions impacting on the business, and some companies are building on the capability of the existing OHS consultative and other employee-based groups to help integrate and communicate sustainability progress, success and challenges.  

Dialogue with local communities is especially important for many PACIA members. This can take many forms, including formal sustainability reporting, newsletters, community liaison networks and open door programs. Responsible Care®, including the Community Right to Know principles and codes provides a valuable management systems approach for all companies to increase community involvement and awareness of the industry and accountability to important groups.  

Sustainability reporting and communication systems will only create value for business, and be valued by stakeholders, if incorporated in into normal organisational reporting processes and communicates real information about sustainability progress, success and challenges.

 Click here to go back to Sustainability Priority Areas