GRI Reporting

Course Overview

Course Description

The GRI Standard reporting presents the best option for organisations to ensure they effectively communicate their most significant impacts on the environment, economy, and people, including impacts on human rights and the SDGs. This comprehensive course offers valuable insights and practical knowledge on effectively using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants will gain a deep understanding of the GRI Standards, reporting principles, and their link with the SDGs. The course will cover key concepts in the Universal Standard 2021 and demonstrate how to apply the GRI Standard to report on contributions towards the SDGs. Additionally, participants will learn about the significance of engaging with relevant stakeholders and experts while exploring strategies to connect the SDGs with the GRI Topic Standards. Through six interactive modules, participants will be equipped to drive sustainable development efforts and enhance transparency in their reporting practices.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the participant will be able to:

• Describe the structure and goal of the GRI Standards.

• Understanding the key principles of GRI sustainability reporting.

• Describe the main ideas and reporting guidelines in the GRI Standards.

• Describe how to integrate the SDGs into the reporting processes outlined in GRI Standards 2021.

This course is ideal for:

Sustainability and CSR Professionals: Individuals working in sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) roles who are responsible for crafting, managing, or enhancing their organisation's sustainability reports. This course provides in-depth insights into GRI standards and best practices.

Corporate Executives and Managers: Business leaders and managers aiming to integrate sustainability into their corporate strategy and reporting. Learn how to effectively communicate your company's sustainable practices and impacts to stakeholders.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Analysts: Professionals responsible for evaluating and analysing ESG performance for investment decisions, reporting, or benchmarking. This course equips you with the knowledge to assess GRI-based reports critically.

Consultants and Advisors: Sustainability consultants, auditors, and advisors seeking to provide valuable guidance and expertise to organisations pursuing GRI-compliant reporting.

Students and Aspiring Professionals: Those aspiring to enter the field of sustainability reporting or ESG analysis. Gain a strong foundation in GRI standards to jumpstart your career in this burgeoning industry.

Regulators and Compliance Officers: Government officials and compliance officers interested in understanding how GRI standards intersect with regulatory requirements and how they can be used to foster corporate transparency.

NGO and Nonprofit Leaders: Leaders of nonprofit organisations interested in demonstrating their impact using GRI standards, enhancing their transparency and credibility.

Anyone Interested in Sustainability Reporting: For individuals with a general interest in sustainability reporting, this course offers accessible knowledge about the significance of GRI standards in fostering transparency and accountability.

Course Structure and Content

Module 1: GRI Standard Basics

The key aspects that set the GRI standard apart from other standards, its benefits and uses, and an overview of the complete GRI reporting system are covered in this session as an introduction to the standard for participants. The participant will also be guided through the corporate sustainability-reporting environment where a few other standards that complement GRI will be examined.

The module will be comprised of the following sections:

• Introduction to the GRI Standard.

• Standard-Specific terminology.

• Main features.

• Purpose and Benefits of the Standards.

• The structure of GRI Standards.

• Using the GRI Standards.

• Corporate reporting landscape.

Learning Outcomes

• Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standard, its purpose, and its significance in sustainability reporting.

• Participants will be introduced to the key elements and principles of the GRI Standard.

• Participants will explore the main features and components of the GRI Standard, including the structure, content, and reporting requirements. They will understand how these features contribute to transparent and comprehensive sustainability reporting.

• Participants will learn and understand how adopting the GRI Standards can enhance an organisation's credibility and stakeholder engagement.

• They will understand the relationship between the universal standards and topic-specific standards, providing a comprehensive framework for reporting.

• Participants will acquire practical skills in using the GRI Standard for reporting sustainability performance.

Module 2: Integrating the SDGs into sustainability reporting

The practical implications of incorporating the SDGs into sustainability reporting will be covered in further detail in Module 2. This module will dive deep into how the GRI Standards can be applied to reporting on how businesses contribute to the SDGs. It will also give a general overview of the method for identifying impacts and selecting material issues that are regarded as significant for the SDGs.

This module will be comprised of the following five sections:

• GRI reporting principles and the SDGs.

• Linking the SDGs with key concepts in the Universal Standard 2021.

• How to use the GRI Standard to report on your contribution to SDG.

• Importance of engaging with relevant stakeholders and experts.

• How to connect the SDGs and the GRI Topic Standards.

Learning outcomes

• Participants will learn how the GRI reporting principles align with the SDGs and contribute to reporting on sustainable development.

• Participants will explore the links between the SDGs and key concepts in the Universal Standard 2021.

• Participants will gain practical skills in using the GRI Standards to report on their organisation's contributions to the SDGs. They will learn how to identify material issues and report on their sustainability impacts related to the SDGs.

• Participants will understand the significance of engaging with relevant stakeholders and subject matter experts in the sustainability reporting process.

• Participants will learn how to align the SDGs with the GRI Topic Standards and to effectively report on their sustainability performance.

• They will explore how to map their sustainability efforts to specific GRI Topic Standards that relate to the SDGs.