Three quarters of the largest companies worldwide obtained assurance on their sustainability-related disclosures in 2024, up from 51% in 2019, according to a study published by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and AICPA & CIMA today (29 June).
The professional bodies assessed reporting and assurance practices among 1,400 of the largest businesses across 22 jurisdictions in 2024.
They found that 82% companies relied on their statutory audit providers for sustainability assurance, that audit firms undertook 59% sustainability assurance engagements, and that 83% of engagements were carried out at the limited level. All of these findings are broadly consistent with the assessment of 2023 practices.
Notably, IFAC and AICPA & CIMA found a slight decrease in the number of companies reporting ESG information, down from 98% in 2023 to 97% in 2024.
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