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.
