Valuation Challenges in Stranded Asset Scenarios: A Risk Discourse of Evidence From the UK

This chapter investigates the challenges faced by sell-side analysts in engaging with companies with material stranded assets through the lens of Becksian risk society theory. The research unravels the usefulness of sustainability reports in deriving the intrinsic value of energy companies in the UK, and whether they take Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) factors into consideration in doing so. Qualitative data were collected via dual methods comprising longitudinal participant observation at IR meetings and interview of sell-side analysts and institutional shareholder. Findings indicate dissatisfaction with the existing risk reporting system is a key factor in divestment decisions and asset stranding. The growing Responsible Investment (RI) awareness notwithstanding, the inadequate risk reporting system continues to represent a major source of agitation amongst shareholders and analysts, making the overhaul of the current financial reporting system inevitable

The Implementation of Sustainability Reporting in SGR Group: Some Challenges of Transition from Greenwashing to Relational Change

The implementation of sustainability reporting entails contradictory elements that can involve greenwashing or corporate governance procedures modifications, as well as the mission and accounting system of a company. Based on the premise in this paper, the authors show the end of a first step of research process and answer the question: How does the introduction of a Sustainability Report (SR) transform mission, governance and accountability of enterprises? Attention is focused on the implications of the process of social and sustainable accountability with respect to the values order, structure and tools of governance, and those used to account for and hold the stakeholders accountable for the results, modality, and objectives which characterize the accountability of corporate activity. The deductive research approach is based on an analysis of the literature regarding sustainability development and sustainability reporting. The inductive method is based on the analysis of a research case related to an Italian multi-utility company: SGR Group. The analysis carried out focused on features of the sustainability process started by the company and interpreted it as the challenge launched by the Group to contribute to create, through its own activities, a civil economy which is typical of the corporate culture of responsibility and sustainable market economy built on the civil corporation