Evolution of Energy Companies’ Non-Financial Disclosures: A Model of Non-Financial Reports in the Energy Sector

Abstract

In the 21st century, the disclosure of non-financial information in non-financial reports (N-FRs), in particular in Corporate Social Responsibility reports (CSRRs), integrated reports (IRs), and activity reports (ARs), has a global dimension, and the quality and scope of such disclosures affects both a wide range of stakeholders and the global economy. In the last decade, changing trends, considerations, as well as economic, legal and social factors have significantly influenced the content of corporate disclosures. In the context of N-FRs, special attention should be paid to the energy sector, which is in many ways essential for both the domestic and global economy. Therefore, its functioning also attracts the attention of researchers. The objective of this paper is to show the practical aspects of N-FRs and to assess the quality of reports submitted by companies in the Polish energy sector. The authors assessed the quality of non-financial information contained in the reports of energy sector companies in terms of four key management areas: Environmental Management System (EMS), Quality Management System (QMS), Enterprise Risk Management System (ERMS), and Corporate Governance Principles (CGPs). On the basis of their analysis of all CSRRs and IRs submitted by Polish energy sector companies in Poland in 2010–2020, the authors propose a model for the disclosure of information on these systems. Standardized reporting on these key management areas in the energy sector will improve the quality and usefulness of information from the perspective of all stakeholders. A model like this may be useful in many countries that manage their energy sectors in a similar way, such as Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and other developing countries.