Sustainability Reports and Disclosure of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Evidence from Indonesian Listed Companies

Abstract

This study investigates the factors that determine disclosure of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of companies listed on the Indonesian stock exchange in the period from 2017 to 2021. The research was conducted through an exploratory study using panel data (from each company’s websites), parametric correlations, and regression models. The findings show a 60% increase in the disclosure of the SDGs in sustainability reports from 2017 to 2021, with the highest level of disclosure achieved for SDG 3 (Health and well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality education). The lowest disclosure was for SDG 14 (Life below water). The study demonstrates statistically that governance factors such as the presence of women on the board of directors and the number of board meetings positively affect SDG disclosure in listed companies in Indonesia. Factors related to companies’ profitability, environmental sensitivity, and board size do not, however, influence SDG disclosure. These findings have implications for academics, stakeholders, practitioners, and governments who are strategically positioned to achieve the SDG agenda in 2030. This study has limitations in that the data were drawn only from companies in the SRI-KEHATI Index.