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Last updated on Jan 11, 2025
  1. All
  2. Sustainability
  3. Corporate Sustainability

Your sustainability report had a major error. How can you regain stakeholder trust?

When a significant error surfaces in your sustainability report, it's crucial to take immediate, transparent action to restore stakeholder confidence. Here's a strategy to regain trust:

  • Acknowledge the mistake openly: Transparency is key. Admit the error, explain how it occurred, and detail the steps being taken to prevent future mistakes.

  • Correct and reissue the report: Provide accurate data and highlight improvements made since the error. This demonstrates accountability and commitment to integrity.

  • Engage with stakeholders directly: Hold meetings or Q&A sessions to address concerns and show that their trust is valued and taken seriously.

How would you handle a major error in your sustainability report?

Sustainability Sustainability

Sustainability

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Last updated on Jan 11, 2025
  1. All
  2. Sustainability
  3. Corporate Sustainability

Your sustainability report had a major error. How can you regain stakeholder trust?

When a significant error surfaces in your sustainability report, it's crucial to take immediate, transparent action to restore stakeholder confidence. Here's a strategy to regain trust:

  • Acknowledge the mistake openly: Transparency is key. Admit the error, explain how it occurred, and detail the steps being taken to prevent future mistakes.

  • Correct and reissue the report: Provide accurate data and highlight improvements made since the error. This demonstrates accountability and commitment to integrity.

  • Engage with stakeholders directly: Hold meetings or Q&A sessions to address concerns and show that their trust is valued and taken seriously.

How would you handle a major error in your sustainability report?

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Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
42 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Anyuta Dhir
    • Report contribution

    To err is human. Everyone makes mistakes. However, the important part after committing one is owning up to them. Stakeholders need two vital components in any relationship; transparency and trust. When a mistake is made, the best path forward would be to calmly explain the error and the rectifications to the stakeholder. Assure them about non-repetition of the same, and reclaim their trust. Understand what caused the problem, and make visible efforts to ensure that it does not repeat. Make sure to loop your stakeholders into the entire process, assuring them that their trust is in safe hands.

    Like
    12
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Ammar S.
    • Report contribution

    Regaining stakeholder trust after a major error in a sustainability report requires transparency, accountability, and prompt action. First, openly acknowledge the mistake, provide a clear explanation of how it occurred, and outline the steps being taken to correct it. Communicating a detailed plan to rectify the issue, along with preventive measures for future reporting, is essential. Engaging stakeholders through regular updates, including progress reports and independent verification, can further restore confidence. Lastly, ensuring that future reports reflect accuracy, consistency, and a commitment to continuous improvement will help rebuild credibility and trust in the long term.

    Like
    8
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Muhammad Irfan

    CEO @ Neoceptual™ | Omniflow | UPG Sustainability Leader

    (edited)
    • Report contribution

    When a significant error occurs in a sustainability report, rebuilding stakeholder trust should be the priority. Sustainability and non-financial reporting often lack clarity, and many organizations may not fully understand the key KPIs for assessing their sustainability performance. Open dialogue is key to building trust, so discussions must involve all levels of the organization, not just the C-suite. This ensures a shared understanding. Transparency is crucial, when errors are identified, being open about them allows for corrections. Going the extra mile to meet stakeholder expectations shows commitment to sustainability and helps restore confidence over time.

    Like
    7
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Magali Cicujano

    Synercis: Empowering Sustainable Transformation Through Responsible Technology

    • Report contribution

    When a significant error occurs in your sustainability report, immediate and transparent action is vital to restore stakeholder confidence. Start by openly acknowledging the mistake; explain what went wrong and how it happened. Next, correct and reissue the report with accurate data, highlighting improvements made since the error. This demonstrates accountability and commitment to integrity. Finally, engage directly with stakeholders through meetings or Q&A sessions to address their concerns. This open dialogue fosters trust and inclusion. By acknowledging the error, correcting it, and engaging stakeholders, you can effectively rebuild trust and enhance your organization’s reputation in sustainability.

    Like
    6
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dr. Mohamed Tawfik, Doc.Mgt(c), MPhil, MBA, CMCM, PharmPGD

    The inventor of the GIDC model | Marketing and Sales Director of Dawa Najd | Advisory Board Member of IASTEM Academy | Speaker | Sustainability Ambassador | Pharmacist | Featured on Business Insider & CEO Weekly

    • Report contribution

    The key is to artfully intertwine the two, weaving profitability and corporate digital responsibility (CDR) into one cohesive strategy. It means being intentional and mindful with every digital move like, collecting data responsibly, fortifying cybersecurity, being transparent with customers, and wielding technology) as a force for good.

    Like
    6
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Aasim Hameed Khan عاصم حميد خان

    Sustainability I ESG I Decarbonization I CCU+S I Carbon Credit I Carbon Modelling I Climate Change I Circular Economy I Strategic Planning I Asset and Facility Management I Operation and Project Management I Drive Change

    • Report contribution

    It’s essential to act swiftly and transparently to restore stakeholder confidence. Start by publicly acknowledging the mistake, clearly explaining its scope and impact, and issuing a corrected version of the report. Implement internal audits to identify the cause of the error and strengthen reporting processes to prevent future mistakes, possibly involving third-party verification for added credibility. Engage with stakeholders openly, keeping communication channels clear for feedback, and ensure leadership takes accountability while reaffirming a commitment to sustainability. Regular updates on corrective actions and continuous improvement will help rebuild trust and demonstrate a genuine commitment to accurate and responsible reporting.

    Like
    5
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    CA Poonam Jain

    The Audit Alchemist | Chartered Accountant | Financial Reporting | Audit & Assurance | Controllership | Big 4 | ESG Explorer & AI Enthusiast | CS

    • Report contribution

    When a significant error surfaces in your sustainability report, it's crucial to take immediate, transparent action to restore stakeholder confidence. Here's a strategy to regain trust: -Acknowledge Mistake Open. Transparency is key, admit error, explain how it occurred & detail steps being taken to prevent future mistakes. -Correct & Reissue Report, provide accurate data & highlight improvements made. -Engage with Stakeholders directly, hold Meetings/ Q&A sessions to address concerns & show -Implement robust internal controls -Communicate Regularly -Foster a Culture of Accountability -Learn from the Mistake -Highlight Positive Actions -Engage with External Experts -Reaffirm Commitment to Sustainability

    Like
    5
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Juhi Bhowal

    Sustainability Consultant at FHP Group | BREEAM AP | Core capabilities:Green Building Certifications, Energy & Sustainability Assessments, Decarbonisation Roadmaps, Building LCA & WLCA, Annual Carbon Emissions Reporting.

    • Report contribution

    Acknowledge the mistake transparently, take swift corrective action, maintain open and honest communication with stakeholders, release the corrected version, and offer a contingency plan if the error caused any significant issues. Go the extra mile to demonstrate a strong commitment to progress and accountability.

    Like
    5
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Paulina Illanes

    🌎 Business English & Comunicação Corporativa para Profissionais Brasileiros. Formada em Administração de Empresas.

    • Report contribution

    Be honest and admit the major mistake as soon as possible. It is preferable to have synchronized communication whenever possible, which will also ensure more and more transparency. Also, the next step will be to show the roadmap on how to fix the mistake and the cost vs. impact it will have, if any. And of course, don’t overreact when someone (the customer) is a little angry with you. Be polite.

    Like
    4
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Carolina Calderón

    Regional E&C Leader| Digital Transformation| Sustainability | Services | Leadership | Sales

    • Report contribution

    To regain stakeholder trust after an error in your sustainability report, it's crucial to: Acknowledge and correct the mistake promptly, transparently communicating the corrective actions taken. Strengthen internal controls to prevent future errors, integrating financial auditors and sustainability verifiers. CINCO DÍAS Establish a clear action plan addressing the root causes of the error, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement. MESAS PARA COMEDOR EXTENSIBLES Implementing these steps will help restore confidence and reinforce the integrity of your sustainability reports.

    Like
    4
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