October 26, 2020
2020 Russell 1000 Flash Report
65% of the Russell 1000® Index Published Sustainability Reports in 2019
39% of Companies in the Smallest Half by Market Cap of Russell 1000 Index Published Sustainability Reports in 2019 – Up From 34% in 2018
Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. (G&A), a leading consulting and research firm on ESG and sustainability, is pleased to share findings from its 2020 Russell 1000 Research Report. The study analyzes the sustainability reporting trends of companies in the Russell 1000 Index, highlighting growing disclosure practices among both large-cap and mid-cap companies.
Key Findings
65% of Russell 1000 companies published sustainability reports in 2019, up from 60% in 2018.
90% of the largest half of Russell 1000 companies by market cap published reports, up from 86% in 2018.
39% of the smallest half of Russell 1000 companies reported, up from 34% in 2018.
47% of Russell 1000 reporters used GRI Standards.
23% of Russell 1000 reporters referenced or aligned with SASB.
14% of Russell 1000 reporters referenced TCFD, with 4% providing detailed alignment.
41% of Russell 1000 reporters responded to CDP’s Climate Change questionnaire.
32% of Russell 1000 reporters aligned with the UN SDGs.
For the S&P 500, 90% published reports in 2019, with 51% using GRI, 14% aligning with SASB, 5% aligning with TCFD, 36% aligning with the SDGs, 29% using external assurance, and 65% responding to CDP.
Summary
G&A’s 2020 research underscores the continued momentum of sustainability reporting across U.S. public companies. While disclosure by large-cap companies has long been dominant, mid-cap and smaller firms are increasingly closing the gap, responding to growing investor and stakeholder demand for ESG transparency. The Russell 1000 findings complement G&A’s longstanding S&P 500 research, confirming that sustainability reporting has become a mainstream practice and a core expectation across the capital markets.
What You’ll Learn
This report provides a breakdown of reporting trends in both halves of the Russell 1000 Index and across the S&P 500. You’ll learn how companies are adopting leading frameworks such as GRI, SASB, and TCFD, how alignment with the UN SDGs is progressing, and how trends in external assurance and survey participation (CDP, CSA/DJSI) are shaping corporate ESG disclosures. The findings reveal both the progress made and the opportunities for companies still advancing their sustainability reporting practices.
Download Now
Related Resources
Find What You Need. Learn Something New.
October 15, 2025 
Build your sustainability strategy.
Chat with our experts to get started on your journey.
Get Started