SECR: The basics and beyond
Environmental reporting is here to stay, with requirements and stakeholder expectations only likely to increase. We reflect on the first year of large charities reporting under SECR and highlight the best practice and areas for improvement within the sector.
Charities meeting the definition of large companies have been reporting under Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements for at least one year.
This guidance takes you through our detailed review of 24 annual reports, all including a relevant disclosure. Between the 24 disclosures there was a wide variety in the level of detail provided and in the format used. Our report will guide you through the requirements highlighting examples of best practice and areas for improvements to take on board.
We expect environmental reporting requirements to increase in future across the sector. For charities contracting from government, we are starting to see environmental management being built into large government procurements. Stakeholder expectation is also increasing in respect of environmental management across all sectors and charities will need to ensure they are prepared. This will vary between charities depending on their supporter base, beneficiaries and other stakeholders, but the upward trend over the coming years is likely to be consistent across the sector.
Charities with a well-constructed environmental strategy and effective environmental management processes will be best placed to address future requirements, as well as meeting increasing stakeholder expectations in this regard.
