Former superannuation fund chief David Atkin has warned that Australia is seeking to “cherry-pick” which global sustainability reporting standards it is prepared to adopt, putting it at odds with major economies.

Mr Atkin, now chief executive of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), which represents international investors, said the advocacy group had written to the federal government urging Australia to adopt, in full, reporting standards that will enable shareholders to compare global companies’ progress in meeting sustainability goals.