Irony in Sustainability, Accountability, and Reporting: The Case of British Petroleum

Many companies invest significant resources in environmental reporting. Is this reporting closely aligned with a company’s actions, or is it a form of “window dressing”? How does management’s response in an... [ view full abstract ]

Many companies invest significant resources in environmental reporting. Is this reporting closely aligned with a company’s actions, or is it a form of “window dressing”? How does management’s response in an environmental crisis align with environmental reporting? A case study examining British Petroleum (BP) was undertaken because of the magnitude and timing of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the demand for quick responses from management during the disaster, and the many Sustainability awards bestowed upon the company.