Report assurance for US-based distribution multinational

ProLogis, a leading multinational provider of distribution facilities and services, has asked us to act as independent assurance provider for four consecutive annual sustainability reports covering the years 2006 to 2009.

In 2006, the company required an approach to assurance that would support the publication of a debut sustainability report, and prepare the ground for future reporting and assurance. Given a short time window before report publication, we took a high-level approach to assurance, focusing on the scope and materiality of reporting, development of management systems, and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns. We interviewed a range of senior managers, as well as staff responsible for collecting performance data. We provided a short assurance statement in the ProLogis report, with detailed recommendations provided separately to our client.

For the 2007 and 2008 reports, we carried out comprehensive report assurance, using the AA1000 Assurance Standard (AA1000AS) to evaluate the materiality, completeness and responsiveness of ProLogis’ reporting. For 2009 and 2010, we also verified that the report met the requirements for reporting at the B+ level under the Global Reporting Initiative G3 sustainability reporting guidelines.

Our assurance statement in ProLogis 2009 sustainability report