This paper examines the factors and consequences of sustainability reporting and assurance (SRA) worldwide using the Global Reporting Initiative database from 2005- 2016. Sustainability factors are both the quality and quantity of SRA. We construct several variables pertaining to the consequences of SRA, such as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability performance disclosures, indices, ratings, and the use of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We find (1) a significant worldwide increase in both the quantity and quality of SRA in the past decade; (2) a positive association between the quality and quantity of SRA and sustainability disclosure and many of the SDGs and (3) a significant association between the quantity, quality of SRA and the legal, social, ethical, and environmental attributes. Our findings are relevant to current debates among global policymakers, regulators, standard setters, the business community, and the accounting profession in improving the quantity and quality of SRA and the move toward mandatory and standardized integrated sustainability reporting.