Communications & Reporting

Hopes are high that the next generation of the Global Reporting Initiative will go further towards actually tackling sustainability challenges

The Global Reporting Initiative guidelines, the world’s leading sustainability reporting framework, used by 3,900 companies and counting, are undergoing a revamp. The fourth generation (G4) of the guidelines will be published in May 2013, gradually replacing G3, which has been in place since 2006.

GRI says the update is needed because “the landscape of sustainability reporting is evolving”. Dr Nelmara Arbex, GRI’s deputy chief executive, says the update will address the structure of the guidelines, the topics covered, and the clarity of language and definitions.

In terms of structure, G4 will, for example, seek to improve the disclosure on management approach, the way companies provide information about how their organisational strategies are implemented. The structure review will also cover the sustainability reporting boundary – how far companies should go in disclosing their impact, and that of their products and suppliers – and will add detail on reporting on supply chain issues.

The...