GRI Standards: A principled approach to sustainability action
Time and money are well spent when investing in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. Tweet This! They are a robust, always updated framework and, most importantly, have a principled approach to sustainability.
Any organisation looking to invest in sustainability needs to know that their investment of time and money is secure both now and in the future.
The GRI Standards are an excellent choice because they are aligned with the expectations of authoritative intergovernmental instruments, such as the UNGPs and OECD. In fact, GRI’s expertise has been sought out by governments and international bodies alike (for example the EU) when regulations and recommendations are developed.
GRI just makes sense as the framework to use for any forward-looking organisation that needs to know that their expanding sustainability needs will be continually met.
Simon Pitsillides (Editor, SustainCase)
It is wise to use the GRI Standards as an umbrella framework:
1) they deal with economy, environment and people, thus allowing 360-degree sustainability action
2) recommended by the UN Global Compact to report on progress made (MoU 2010)
3) address each and every Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
4) do not focus just on investors but also on the needs of all relevant stakeholders (top talent, clients, local communities, business partners etc.)
5) is the co-constructor of the CSRD
Also read:
GRI and ESRS Q&A document now available
Interoperability between ESRS and GRI Standards good news for GRI reporting companies
6) created in the public interest using a multi-stakeholder approach
7) used by 73% of the world’s largest 250 companies
8) can be used effectively by 1 person companies (you initially need just 7 disclosures that can be answered in under a day to start your report, then deal with material topics which can be defined using a logical, simplified methodology)
9) continually updated and aligned with the expectations of authoritative intergovernmental instruments (UNGPs, OECD etc.)
10) most importantly, if GRI’s principled approach to materiality and application of reporting principles is followed, no one can reasonably accuse you of a greenwash
Solid, focused sustainability action requires the GRI Standards as the umbrella all-encompassing sustainability reporting framework. Other frameworks can be plugged in when these add value to stakeholders, the world and the economy.
78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards
SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.
Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.
7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started
Any size business can start taking sustainability action
GRI, IEMA, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom (venue: London School of Economics)
- Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
- Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
- Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP.
- Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement