Sustainable Development Goals (sdgs) And Firm Level Response: Suncor’s Sustainability Reporting And Disclosure Strategy

Abstract

A single case study design was used to discover any strategic implications that the Sustainable Development Goals may have on Suncor Energy’s sustainability and reporting strategy. A literature review exploring how the SDGs impact the private sector revealed prominent themes relating to the concepts of increasing expectations of private sector SDG alignment, private sector SDG alignment driving value creation, and SDG alignment within the private sector mitigating risk. Data was collected through participant-observer and secondary data techniques, and the analysis of the data occurred through an iterative process that involved coding and investigation of thematic areas. This research discovered that critical elements utilized in Suncor Energy’s strategy involving sustainability reporting standards and frameworks, sustainability assessments, and ESG ratings all experienced significant changes in direct response to the SDGs. The SDG related changes across the critical elements identified occurred more rapidly and were of greater significance than Suncor Energy anticipated.