2024 Works Design Trends Summary

Tracking the Evolution of Sustainability Reporting and Communications

Sustainability communications are evolving – and in the last few years, as they deal with challenges ranging from climate change to the ongoing impact of a global pandemic, companies worldwide are working to change and improve how they manage, engage and report. A “survival of the fittest” competition for stakeholder engagement and support drives organizations to learn, discuss, collaborate and evolve. Companies can widen their influence and increase their impact by visibly embracing their purpose and managing and measuring what matters. Explore the latest trends and learn how leading companies’ sustainability ambitions go beyond simple compliance and are delivering results that can help shape a better world.

Explore the evolution

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in and support of Works Design’s annual research on trends and best practices in sustainability communications and reporting.

In 13 years, we’ve noted significant changes in the space, including increasing demands from regulators, coordinated action from standards setters, heightened interest and activism from investors and customers, and growing expectations from communities for honesty, transparency and vision.

Sustainability communications are evolving, which has important implications for organizations seeking to tell their sustainability story and connect with others.

Companies must continue advancing sustainability by identifying challenges and opportunities, connecting with stakeholders and pursuing those opportunities to meaningfully impact society, the environment and their value chains. One evolution that can help separate incremental approaches from bold goals and outcomes is to establish a social purpose that can guide a company’s people and partners toward genuine progress.

We’re pleased to share our research, and to show how the sustainability communications landscape is changing. And we are grateful for the chance to share our thoughts about practices and beliefs that can bring us closer to creating a connected, caring and inclusive society.

Wesley Gee
Chief Sustainability Officer and Principal, Works Design

Methodology

The Works Design team reviews primary sustainability publications (including sustainability, annual and integrated reports) and related content on each company’s corporate website as well as their social media channels. We track content-, design- and user experience-related metrics and log our findings into a database that allows us to identify trends and best practices, which we’ve tracked annually for the past 13 years.

105
COMPANIES REVIEWED
14
Sectors Researched
13
Years
647
Hours of Research
94
Metrics Covered
13
Colleagues

Insight

As sustainability reporting matures, expands and evolves, we want to help companies communicate more effectively and with greater purpose by providing actionable insights and observations from 13 years of rigorous research. Our research sample encompasses reports, websites and social media from a global sample of companies drawn from diverse industry sectors. This year, we broadened our lens on social purpose by adopting metrics from The Canadian Purpose Economy Project (CPEP) Disclosing with Purpose guide. In some cases, we look at reports produced by our agency, in which case the page is marked as follows:

Sectors Covered

What We Look For

Information

What are stakeholders looking for in content, and how are reporters adapting to evolving global reporting standards and changing stakeholder expectations?

Approach

What are the most effective ways to combine engaging leadership perspectives, relatable storytelling, and meaningful metrics and targets to improve performance-driven communications?

Impact

How are companies capitalizing on sustainability communications to strengthen their organization, engage their people, connect with their stakeholders and improve their outcomes and impact?

Our Research Themes

For 13 years, we’ve examined and reported on trends in sustainability reporting and communications, and as an agency, we’ve been deeply engaged with our clients, leading think tanks and institutions, and diverse communities of practice for much longer than that. As an early mover in the sustainability space, we’ve seen and supported companies in their efforts to determine what’s material, establish ambitious strategies, identify new and effective communications approaches, and frame stories to raise awareness and drive change. Our Trends research has helped organizations adapt, elevate and bring a sense of purpose to a space that continues to evolve.

Telling your story with purpose
Leadership and Governance
What Matters Most
Frameworks
Targets and Performance
Communications Toolbox
Digital Strategies

Collaborate

Works Design’s annual Trends presentation is a studio-wide initiative that draws on the skills of our entire team. Our research is conducted by a talented and diverse group of writers, designers, digital developers, and social media and sustainability specialists. Drawing on their capabilities, we can provide our clients and other stakeholders with data-backed global insights into the evolving sustainability reporting landscape.

Erica Campbell

Erica Campbell

Sustainability Analyst

Melissa Suarez

Melissa Suarez

Sustainability Analyst

Rachel Gruber

Rachel Gruber

Social Media Specialist

Remston Martis

Remston Martis

Sustainability Analyst

Philip Marriott

Philip Marriott

Senior Designer

Wesley Gee

Wesley Gee

Chief Sustainability Officer and Principal

Chris Chlasciak

Chris Chlasciak

Art Director

Nisha Kulangara

Nisha Kulangara

Sustainability Analyst

Pearl Maguire

Pearl Maguire

Social Media Manager

Tayler Michaelson

Tayler Michaelson

Project Manager

Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson

Strategic Communications Director

Michael Tomasone

Michael Tomasone

Marketing Manager

Brooke Drake

Brooke Drake

Project Manager

Works Design is an integrated design studio and communications agency with a highly regarded sustainability practice. We’re a pioneer in sustainability and corporate communications. For over 35 years, we’ve helped companies deliver engaging brand narratives, reporting and digital communications by providing a unique setting where great design, subject-matter expertise and sustainability strategy all intersect. Based in Canada, we serve clients across North America, South America, Europe and Australia.

We can happily provide a version of our Trends research tailored to your organization’s needs. Please get in touch to find out more about our services, and to discuss how we can support your organization.