Environmental and Social Disclosure of Brazilian Banking Financial Institutions from the Perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the determining factors that influence the disclosure of environmental and social information by the Brazilian banking sector from the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the aim of identifying which organizational characteristics impact the level of socio-environmental disclosure. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the main concepts and theories that underpin the research are presented. The study is based on the Theory of Legitimacy, which provides theoretical elements for socio-environmental disclosure. This theory explains management’s motivation to disclose environmental information, recognizing that organizational survival depends not only on financial success but also on the ability to maintain a social contract with society. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a quantitative approach based on content analysis of sustainability reports from Brazilian banks. Data collection was carried out through the analysis of corporate disclosure reports published between 2016 and 2020. The regression model with panel data was used to analyze the influence of organizational characteristics on the dissemination of socio-environmental information from the perspective of the SDGs. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that the size of the company and public control are factors that influence the disclosure of socio-environmental information regarding the SDGs. Whether or not the company owns shares on the Stock Exchange and its profitability have little impact on the amount of information disclosed about the SDGs. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized based on the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of socio-environmental disclosure. These implications could encompass the banking sector, regulatory bodies, and policymakers. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by deepening the knowledge about environmental disclosure in the banking sector, a topic still little explored in academic studies. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its potential to inform better practices and policies for socio-environmental disclosure in the banking industry.