Investigate the level of disclosure of emissions of the top ten manufacturing companies in South Africa

Abstract

Throughout the world, countries and companies are directing their attention towards actions to protect the planet. An important focus area during various initiatives is the aim to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climatic system. Various targets are set by governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the South African Government is, among others, investigating a carbon tax policy to facilitate their transition to a greener economy. This paper analyzes the sustainability reports of the top ten manufacturing companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the disclosures of emissions were evaluated against a checklist that was developed through a literature review comprising various sources. From the results of the research, it is evident that all the companies reviewed are aware of the importance of emissions disclosure and the impact that emissions have on climate change. Companies, in general, adhere more to the qualitative, narrative type of requirements than to the more quantitative, performance-related reporting of emissions. In this study the reporting of the companies specifically on Scope 3 emissions were inadequate. More attention should be given to measure performance and to improve their systems to quantify data