Impression management of biodiversity reporting in the energy and utilities sectors: An assessment of transparency in the disclosure of negative events

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse the official corporate reports of selected companies in the utilities and energy sectors to determine whether they report transparently on negative biodiversity-related events or instead present an idealised image through impression management strategies. For this purpose, through a counter-accounting approach, external sources were consulted to find information on incidents with an impact on biodiversity for selected companies from the energy and utilities sectors. 47 incidents linked to 17 companies were identified and the information obtained from the unofficial sources was then compared with what the companies had disclosed in their sustainability reports. Half of the incidents identified were not disclosed at all and those that were informed were, in most cases, partially reported using impression management mechanisms.