GRI Opens Comment Period for Sustainability Reporting Guidelines

The next generation of Sustainability Reporting Guidelines—G4—is now under development. To start the process, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, is asking its network and the public to input into the first phase of development, to help shape the world's most widely used sustainability reporting framework.

The overall aim of the first development phase is to take a close look at GRI's Guidelines with a fresh perspective. GRI invites you to provide your views and register your interest in participating in the process by using the forms provided below.

The　"Call for sustainability reporting topics" aims to collect input on what new topics should be covered in G4. Revisions of existing topics also will be considered.

The GRI Guidelines' development is influenced by changes in the reporting field, such as the introduction of new concepts, trends and tools, and requests by new players. The landscape of sustainability reporting is evolving; this should influence the development of G4. More stakeholders than ever—including regulators, investors, rating agencies, and NGOs—are asking for non-financial data.

The public is invited to submit topics they think should be considered for G4, using the following online and downloadable Adobe pdf forms:

  1. The online form is the preferred method for submitting topics
  2. The downloadable Adobe pdf form is designed for use by those who have limited access to the internet. The pdf version requires Adobe reader version 6 or later. Please save the file to your computer before filling it in.

The closing date for sustainability reporting topic submissions is June 30.

GRI's guidance is based on the views of as wide a range of stakeholders as possible. The first G4 Public Comment Period will begin in August and continue for 90 days.　You formally register your interest in participating in G4's first Public Comment Period by filling out the online form.

All registrants will be emailed when the Public Comment Period opens.

Registration will also indicate the regional balance and diversity of potential participants, enabling GRI to undertake additional recruitment in under-represented areas. This will help ensure the views of a regionally balanced and diverse group of stakeholders are taken into account.

Registration for the first public comment period is available online. Registration closes July 31.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/