Overall

The Accountability Rating 2005 demonstrates the pace of change among big businesses.

The average overall score among Fortune Global 100 companies has risen from 24 in 2004 to 32 (out of a maximum of 100). One-third of companies achieved a score of 40 or more, compared with only one in ten in 2004.

The range of performance across the Global 100 is wide, stretching from only one point to a top score of 78. In general, scores remain disturbingly low. The results suggest that few of today’s biggest companies are as smart as they might be. The gap between the leaders and the laggards raises important questions about the latter’s ability to manage their risks and opportunities.

Nevertheless, BP, and a growing number of global corporations, are doing what companies that are successful over generations do best: profitably providing products and services that satisfy society’s changing expectations and needs. And, in our view, that’s exactly what business should be held accountable for.