Reporting of Sustainable Development Goals; Evidence from Finance Sector Companies in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study’s purpose is to explore how Sri Lankan finance companies report on sustainable development goals (SDGs) and to identify company strategies toward SDGs.This study is conducted by analyzing the content of annual reports, websites, and magazines issued by the listed finance companies in Sri Lanka. The sample includes 10 Commercial Banks for five years from 2017 to 2022. Qualitative content analyses are used to determine the nature of company responses to SDG and link to company strategies. Results show that finance sector companies have disclosed only a few SDGs in initial periods and by now tend to disclose all 17 goals in their reports and commitment to them is emphasized through strategies. Fund allocations for certain SDGs such as for SDG 4-Quality education gradually increased over the years. In reporting related information, companies have used GRI guidelines and included more pictures and images in addition to narratives. In Sri Lanka, there is a scarcity of publications on how businesses are addressing the SDGs. This study provides some answers to that question by focusing on how companies disclose information about SDGs and link them to SDG-focused sustainability strategies. And this paper suggests future research exploring the implementation of sustainable strategies.