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In today's world, the urgency of sustainability cannot be overstated. Businesses and organisations are increasingly realising the critical importance of reporting on their ESG performance. Sustainability reporting is not just about transparency and accountability; it's a catalyst for driving sustainable practices and policies that our planet desperately needs.
Leading the charge in this mission is the GRI, an international standards organisation. With a 93% global adoption rate since 1997, GRI is the most widely used global standard for sustainability reporting today. With GRI Standards, organisations can step up, comprehend, manage, and shout about their sustainability efforts, contributing to a global economy that's both sustainable and crystal-clear.
The GRI Standards are not just another set of guidelines; they are a universal language for organisations, big or small, private or public, to share their sustainability impacts consistently and credibly.
They provide a holistic framework for organisations to grasp and communicate their influence on the economy, environment, and society, encompassing vital areas such as human rights and climate change. They don't just enhance transparency; they empower organisations to make more sustainable decisions through better insights into their operations.
Investors, policymakers, capital markets, and civil society all gain valuable insights. Investors, for example, use GRI Standards to gauge a company's sustainability performance and make informed investment decisions.
GRI Standards drive sustainable development by enabling organisations to report their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By providing a clear picture of an organisation's material topics, related impacts, and how they're managed, GRI Standards help organisations align with the SDGs to make the world a better place.
The GRI Standards come in three interconnected series: Universal Standards, Sector Standards, and Topic Standards. Together, they paint a complete picture of an organisation's material topics, their impacts, and how they're handled.
Universal Standards are the foundation of sustainability reporting, applicable to all organisations. These standards have been updated to incorporate human rights and environmental due diligence.
In a world of intergovernmental expectations, they encourage all organisations, regardless of their size or industry, to report on these crucial areas. Universal Standards offer a comprehensive view of an organisation's sustainability impacts, including general disclosures about the organisation's profile, strategy, and approach to managing material topics.
A major innovation in the recent update of GRI Standards is the introduction of Sector Standards. They provide consistent reporting on sector-specific impacts, addressing the unique sustainability challenges within specific industries and economic sectors. These sectors range from Oil and Gas to Banking, from Renewable Energy to Metal Processing.
Topic Standards specify disclosures relevant to a particular sustainability topic, such as water, energy, or labour practices. They provide specific guidance on reporting impacts related to these topics. The recent update streamlined the number of Topic Standards from 34 to 31, integrating discontinued topics into aspects of the Universal Standards.
The 2021 update brought significant changes to the GRI Standards. Notably, the Topic Standards were reduced from 34 to 31, eliminating redundancies and streamlining the reporting process. The most significant addition was the introduction of Sector Standards, designed to ensure consistent reporting on sector-specific impacts.
This change reaffirmed GRI's commitment to maintaining an up-to-date framework for sustainability reporting, ready to address sector-specific complexities while remaining steadfast in its focus on universal sustainability topics like human rights and environmental stewardship.
GRI 1 (concepts, principles, and reporting compliance requirements): The GRI Standards journey begins with GRI 1, laying the foundation by explaining key concepts, principles, and reporting compliance requirements. Identifying an organisation's impacts is an ongoing process, shaped by its unique context.
The Sector Standards come to the rescue by outlining sector-specific impacts, providing guidance for organisations to assess their own impacts.
GRI 2 (information about reporting practices and other details) and GRI 3 (step-by-step guidance on how to determine material topics): GRI 2 and GRI 3 guide organisations in evaluating the significance of their impacts based on their unique context. They help in identifying and assessing impacts and their significance.
Once the organisation understands its impacts, it must decide which ones to report. GRI 3 aids in prioritising and categorising impacts into material topics. The Sector Standards also help in determining material topics by comparing them to relevant standards.
Urgently, the next critical step is to gather data for reporting, as the Topic Standards dictate the mandatory disclosures for GRI Standards-based reporting.
The GRI Standards offer organisations the vital opportunity to comprehensively report on their significant impacts or zero in on specific issues.
Delivering impacts through data and insights
It is absolutely imperative to emphasise that reporting in line with the GRI Standards and other recognised frameworks is not just a mere formality. Far too often, organisations get sidetracked by their reporting obligations, losing sight of the fundamental reasons behind their reporting efforts.
While a powerful regulatory push for increased ESG disclosure exists, companies must also recognise that they report to gain deeper insights into their preparedness for managing emerging risks. These risks, be they transient or physical in nature, demand immediate attention from organisations.
The GRI Standards can be your ally in the quest for sustainability and transparency. Its flexibility, comprehensiveness, and regular updates make it a useful tool for organisations committed to making a positive impact in this ever-changing world. These standards are not just tools; they are the drivers of a more sustainable and transparent future.
Images from https://www.globalreporting.org/media/wtaf14tw/a-short-introduction-to-the-gri-standards.pdf
