Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns are becoming more central for major companies. One way to capture this shift is by tracking how often JSE Top 40 companies mention terms like “emissions,” “climate,” “governance,” and “sustainability” in their annual reports over time. Examining the frequency of these words helps us understand how South Africa’s leading firms are prioritising these themes as they plan for a sustainable and resilient future. The rising frequency of these terms suggests a significant shift in corporate priorities for South Africa’s leading firms.
Compiled by Johan Hanekom
