Sustainability Reporting Standards for the Italian Cooperative Banking System
摘要
The chapter provides a detailed examination of sustainability standards in the Italian cooperative banking sector, focusing on Cooperative Credit Banks (CCBs). It explores the development and unique aspects of voluntary social reporting standards established by the Italian Banking Association (ABI) and the Federation of Italian CCBs (Federcasse). Key ABI guidelines, including integration with international frameworks like the GRI, are analyzed alongside Federcasse’s sector-specific “Mutualistic Metric,” which captures the distinct cooperative and territorial identity of CCBs. The chapter also reviews the Social Report format used by CCBs, highlighting social reporting’s role in enhancing transparency, accountability, and legitimization based on cooperative principles. Ultimately, it emphasizes that these reporting standards go beyond regulatory compliance to foster sustainability, shared values, and stakeholder trust within the evolving economic and social landscape.