Evidence of sustainable development goals disclosure in publicly traded Brazilian companies

Abstract

Purpose: This article examines if publicly traded Brazilian companies listed on the Brazil 50 Index (IBrX50) and the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) use Sustainable Development Goals to guide their environmental, social, and governance practices (ESG). Methodology: The evaluation is carried out through the descriptive content analysis of companies listed on the IBrX50. We highlight that they were also listed on the ISE B3 in the year 2022. Data was gathered from the companies’ sustainability reports and on websites specialized in ESG assessments. Results: The research presents analogies between the ISE B3 and the IBrX50 theoretical portfolios while analyzing the assets in their portfolios and ESG scores. We additionally look into the proximity of the assets in relation to the disclosure of the Sustainable Development Goals in their sustainability reports. We found that, although most companies publish sustainability reports and mention the SDGs, few disclose the goals and initiatives aimed at sustainable development practically. Contributions of the Study: The article contributes to the field of research on the voluntary disclosure of information on sustainability. It presents an initial overview on SDGs disclosure in sustainability reports within the Brazilian context. Future studies may explore analyzes which include ESG practices in companies.