“Sustainability” Sticks, “ESG” Slips…How Report Naming is Evolving
- keihlan
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
In today’s corporate reporting landscape, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) or Sustainability reporting is an important transparency tool for communicating progress on key aspects of corporate strategy. ESG/Sustainability reporting is becoming increasingly comprehensive, addressing the growing expectations of various stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, regulators, and business partners.
Over many years of corporate reporting, companies have employed various terms to name their reports, including variations of Corporate Responsibility, ESG, Sustainability, and Impact. As the reporting landscape continues to evolve, so too does the way companies name their reports. Leaders Arena has been receiving questions about the current status of ESG/Sustainability report naming, content, and release timing. In light of this, and particularly in the context of managing reputational risk, we have analyzed company report names from around the globe over the past five years (2020 – 2024), to see if we could identify a trend.
Our analysis consisted of over 50 companies, primarily large and mid-cap ones in the U.S, given the extent of the ESG backlash there. However, to gain a global perspective, our sample also included large-cap companies from Canada, Europe, the UK, China, Japan, Australia, and South Africa.
Evolution of Report Naming
According to our research [1], the most common term used to name reports since 2020 has been Sustainability, with an increase in usage since 2021. 2024 data is preliminary, given report timing, but we would expect the use of Sustainability to be in line, or higher than 2023. On the contrary, the use of ESG saw its only increase in the same year Sustainability experienced its only decrease – in 2021. Since then, the use of ESG has gradually declined, while Sustainability has continued to gain traction. The use of Impact has seen a notable increase in 2024, while the increase in the use of Annual & Integrated is a result of European companies reporting earlier in the year compared with U.S companies, which report later in the year.
A few companies used alternative names for their reports including Sustainability and Social Impact, Corporate Social Responsibility, Brands for Good, among others. These naming conventions are not new, with companies having turned to alternatives to emphasize specific brand values or to differentiate themselves in a crowded ESG/Sustainability reporting space.
Regarding report naming differences between large and mid-cap companies, we observed that mid-cap companies increasingly preferred to use ESG in their report titles from 2020 to 2022. However, in recent years, there has been a shift away from using ESG in reports for both large and mid-caps.
Report naming also varies across regions. In the U.S., we observed that the use of ESG has gradually decreased over the years, with Sustainability becoming more prevalent. Australia, Canada, and the UK have continued to use Sustainability for report naming, while in Europe, the Annual & Integrated naming convention is the most common.
Figure 1: Sustainability Leads as the Dominant Report Title, While ESG Declines and Alternatives Remain Steady
Key Drivers of Report Naming
ESG Politicization
In some markets, notably the U.S, ESG has become politicized. Companies in these regions have rebranded ESG efforts to avoid negative scrutiny while preserving the substance of their commitments. The report name change becomes a buffer, preserving intention while navigating polarization.
Audience Tailoring
Today’s ESG reports must address more than just investors. Customers, employees, regulators, NGOs, and communities are all key stakeholders. To effectively connect with these groups, especially younger, socially conscious consumers, companies may opt for a report name such as “People, Planet & Progress” instead of a technical-sounding ESG label.
Guidance on Report Naming
If your company is planning its next report, here are some tips to guide the naming process:
Know your audience. Consider who you're addressing, whether investors, customers, employees, or regulators.
Futureproof the name. Focus on long-term relevance and strategy in the coming years.
Be transparent. Stay compelling and reflect the report content.
As expectations around ESG communication continue to evolve, report naming has become a subtle yet strategic consideration. It reflects how companies adapt to changing contexts and engage a broadening set of stakeholders.
At Leaders Arena, we specialize in helping companies of all sizes strengthen their ESG positioning, from report content to naming and stakeholder alignment. Our team provides expert guidance and hands-on support to simplify complex ESG frameworks and ensure that your reports reflect both substance and strategy.
We help companies:
Craft strategically aligned, audience-sensitive report content
Manage ESG data and reporting platforms
Interpret and respond to evolving ESG regulations
Select and implement suitable disclosure frameworks
Whether you're publishing your first ESG report or rebranding an established one, we work with you to ensure your messaging reflects your values, strategy, and level of maturity in sustainability.
Contact us at support@leadersarena.global to start shaping your ESG story with clarity and credibility.
Notes
[1] Analysis is as of 30, 2025. A few companies within our sample had not released their latest report.
