Sustainability Report under GRI and ISO 26000 standards

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Sustainability Report under GRI and ISO 26000 standards

What is GRI?

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is a network-based organization that has pioneered the development of the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework and is committed to its continuous improvement and application worldwide.

In order to ensure the highest degree of technical quality, credibility, and relevance, the reporting framework is developed through a consensus-seeking process with participants drawn globally from business, civil society, labor, and professional institutions.

Reporting Framework

This framework sets out the principles and indicators that organizations can use to measure and report their economic, environmental, and social performance.

The cornerstone of the framework is the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. The third version of the Guidelines – known as the G3 Guidelines - was published in 2006, and is a free public good.

Other components of the framework include Sector Supplements (unique indicators for industry sectors) and National Annexes (unique country-level information). Click here for an overview of the Reporting Framework.

http://www.globalreporting.org/ReportingFramework/

Report Benefit
Sustainability reports based on the GRI framework can be used to benchmark organizational performance with respect to laws, norms, codes, performance standards and voluntary initiatives; demonstrate organizational commitment to sustainable development; and compare organizational performance over time.

GRI promotes and develops this standardized approach to reporting to stimulate demand for sustainability information – which will benefit reporting organizations and those who use report information alike.

ISO 26000 – Guidance on Social Responsibility
ISO 26000 provides recommendations on Social Responsibility. The standard provides organizations with best practices and helps them adapt the guidelines in their operations and across their supplier network. All types of organizations can apply ISO 26000.

According to the principles of Social Responsibility, as defined by the ISO 26000 standard, organization is responsible for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment, through transparent and ethical behavior that:

• Contributes to sustainable development, including health and the welfare of society
• Takes into account the needs and expectations of stakeholders
• Is compliant with applicable laws and consistent with international norms
• Is integrated and implemented throughout the organization

What does ISO 26000 cover?

The ISO 26000 guidance standard consists of seven clauses:

1. Scope
2. Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3. Understanding social responsibility
4. Principles of social responsibility
5. Recognizing social responsibility and engaging with stakeholders
6. Guidance on social responsibility core subjects
7. Guidance on integrating social responsibility throughout an organization

Annex on voluntary initiatives and tools related to social responsibility

The ISO 26000 standard is currently a Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) and will likely be launched as the final version during the fall of 2010.

anyone interested with the draft could contact me via email.

Benefits of implementing ISO 26000

Optimize your processes and align them with your management systems and your activities within social responsibility;

Be able to better contribute to sustainable development;
Improve your relationship with stakeholders and manage the related risks;
Increase staff morale and the ability to attract and keep qualified professionals.
Enhance the appeal of your organization in the financial community.