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The response to the Global Reporting Initiative’s call for comments on
its sustainability reporting guidelines has been ‘overwhelming’, the
Amsterdam-based body says.
The GRI has received 275 comments so far on the third revisions to its draft ‘G3’ guidelines, by far the greatest number for any GRI consultation. Around 3000 people also took part in G3 ‘sneak peek’ events around the world that explained the changes proposed and sought informal feedback.
The GRI said the response, which was three times greater than at the last revision in 2002, reflected the burgeoning interest in sustainability reporting, especially outside Europe and North America, with Japan, India, Brazil and China now more involved. Around nine out of ten of respondents felt G3 would be an improvement on the current version, especially in terms of being more user-friendly – one of the main reasons for the changes.
But a prime area of concern was a section on materiality (how reporters should decide what to cover), which many respondents said was unclear. A number also wanted a practical manual on stakeholder engagement. The GRI says it may produce one as supporting material separate to the guidelines. The technical advisory committee will use the feedback to amend the draft G3 guidelines and should produce a final version in October.
The French non-profit body Observatoire sur la Responsabilité Sociétale des Entreprises, which took part in the consultation, said it found the G3 guidelines more concise and easier to use, but warned that their greater emphasis on reporters documenting the outcomes, rather than the processes, of their CSR programmes could encourage rating agencies and non-governmental organizations to focus on short-term considerations, rather than the long-term benefits that would flow from companies having sound sustainability management systems in place.
Two
company executives have been voted on to the GRI’s first Stakeholder
Council, which advises on policy. Sam Mostyn, culture and reputation
executive at Insurance Australia Group, and Karin Ireton, head of
sustainable development at Anglo American in South Africa, were elected
with four civil society representatives.
The GRI has received 275 comments so far on the third revisions to its draft ‘G3’ guidelines, by far the greatest number for any GRI consultation. Around 3000 people also took part in G3 ‘sneak peek’ events around the world that explained the changes proposed and sought informal feedback.
The GRI said the response, which was three times greater than at the last revision in 2002, reflected the burgeoning interest in sustainability reporting, especially outside Europe and North America, with Japan, India, Brazil and China now more involved. Around nine out of ten of respondents felt G3 would be an improvement on the current version, especially in terms of being more user-friendly – one of the main reasons for the changes.
But a prime area of concern was a section on materiality (how reporters should decide what to cover), which many respondents said was unclear. A number also wanted a practical manual on stakeholder engagement. The GRI says it may produce one as supporting material separate to the guidelines. The technical advisory committee will use the feedback to amend the draft G3 guidelines and should produce a final version in October.
The French non-profit body Observatoire sur la Responsabilité Sociétale des Entreprises, which took part in the consultation, said it found the G3 guidelines more concise and easier to use, but warned that their greater emphasis on reporters documenting the outcomes, rather than the processes, of their CSR programmes could encourage rating agencies and non-governmental organizations to focus on short-term considerations, rather than the long-term benefits that would flow from companies having sound sustainability management systems in place.
Two
company executives have been voted on to the GRI’s first Stakeholder
Council, which advises on policy. Sam Mostyn, culture and reputation
executive at Insurance Australia Group, and Karin Ireton, head of
sustainable development at Anglo American in South Africa, were elected
with four civil society representatives.Super Featured
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