Climate Change Reporting: A way-out to Improve Risk Management-A Study About Listed Pharmaceutical Companies in Bangladesh

This study investigates the current state of climate change reporting, emphasizing its potential as a strategic tool to enhance risk management practices among publicly listed pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh. In response to mounting stakeholder demands for transparency, it is clear that current climate-related disclosures in annual reports are both inconsistent and inadequate. Using a self-constructed disclosure index based on existing literature and global reporting frameworks, the study analyzed secondary data from the annual reports of 18 pharmaceutical firms listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange. The results indicate that although some companies are beginning to address issues such as emissions and energy use, the majority still fall short in providing comprehensive information. Alarmingly, only 50% of the firms disclosed specific challenges related to climate change, and a mere 17% furnished detailed insights into board-level oversight or future strategies. These findings underscore an urgent need for robust regulatory guidelines, standardized reporting frameworks, and targeted capacity-building initiatives to improve climate disclosures. As Bangladesh seeks to solidify its position in the global pharmaceutical market, embracing climate-conscious business practices is not just essential but imperative for ensuring long-term competitiveness, building investor confidence, and advancing environmental stewardship.