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The “S” takes centre stage in the sustainability of Italian companies
The 4th Report by the Sodalitas Observatory on Corporate Social Sustainability shows that the social dimension is now strategic for most Italian companies. For communicators, this means working on content that is solid, measurable and consistent with reporting.
For many years, corporate sustainability was told mainly through its environmental dimension. Today attention is growing towards the “S” of ESG: people, welfare, inclusion, training, relationships with local communities and supply chains.
The report, presented in June 2026, is based on a sample of 211 companies and 16 in-depth interviews. The findings show that around 90% of companies attach great importance to social sustainability, while 82% consider it more important today than it was five years ago.
Why it matters for communication
The finding is relevant for anyone working in communication and reputation. Social sustainability calls for a different language from the environmental dimension: fewer slogans, more evidence, concrete examples and continuity over time.
“Putting people at the centre” demands proof. Specific projects, clear objectives, measurable results and direct testimony from the people involved: this is where effective storytelling begins.
The risk of social washing
Just as environmental sustainability faces greenwashing, the social dimension faces the risk of claiming commitments without evidence. To avoid it, communication must stay aligned with reporting data and with the actions actually carried out.
Credibility comes from consistency between what a company declares, what it measures and what it does over time. A social narrative works when it rests on verifiable data and documented facts.
Three useful criteria
Solid social communication rests on three elements:
→ Specificity: the objectives, scope and results of a project must be clear.
→ The voice of people: the story includes those who experience the impact directly.
→ Continuity: social sustainability is a journey, not an isolated campaign.
For agencies and communication teams, the challenge is translating data and reporting into stories that are clear, credible and useful for stakeholders.
A trend to oversee
The 4th Sodalitas Report confirms that social sustainability is increasingly part of the strategic priorities of Italian companies. For those working in communication, the priority is precision: a message that is documented and consistent.
The “S” of ESG is an area to oversee with substance, before it becomes a theme to tell.
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What is corporate social sustainability?
Corporate social sustainability is the “S” of ESG: it concerns people, welfare, inclusion, training and relationships with local communities and supply chains. It measures how a company generates value for those who live within and around it. The 4th Sodalitas Report identifies it as a strategic priority for around 90% of Italian companies.
How do you communicate social sustainability credibly?
Credible social sustainability communication rests on three criteria: specificity (clear objectives, scope and results), the voice of the people involved and continuity over time. The story stays aligned with reporting data and the actions carried out. Credibility comes from consistency between what a company declares, measures and does.
What is social washing?
Social washing is the communication of social commitments without concrete evidence, the equivalent of greenwashing on the “S” side. It appears when the narrative outruns documented facts. To avoid it, communication must be anchored to reporting data and to the actions actually carried out over time.
Why is social sustainability important for corporate communication?
The social dimension calls for a different language from the environmental one: fewer slogans, more evidence, concrete examples and continuity. “Putting people at the centre” demands proof, not assertions. For agencies and communication teams, the challenge is translating data and reporting into stories that are clear, credible and useful for stakeholders.
What does the 4th Sodalitas Report say about social sustainability?
The 4th Report by the Sodalitas Observatory, presented in June 2026, is based on 211 companies and 16 in-depth interviews. Around 90% of companies attach great importance to social.
