GRI updates guidance to help companies report on SDGs

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has published updated guidance to help companies link the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with its reporting standards.

The Linking the SDGs and the GRI Standards document gives a breakdown of targets under each of the 17 SDGs, and maps how they correlate against disclosures in the GRI standards, including the latest published versions.

This complements GRI’s wider support to help companies communicate their impacts on sustainable development, including a suite of tools on integrating the SDGs in reporting, and SDG reporting examples from around the world.

“The GRI Standards enable companies to integrate SDGs reporting within their sustainability report and this revised guidance helps them make these connections in a clear and consistent way,” said Thijs Reuten, the GRI's head of policy.

“The SDGs address our world’s most pressing sustainability challenges, therefore it is crucial that the contribution of the private sector is both recognised and understood.

“That is why GRI continues to work with partners and reporting organisations to drive forward the transparency required to support the fulfilment of the SDGs.”

The guidance comes after three GRI standards for sustainability reports came into effect at the start of this year: GRI 207: Tax 2019, GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety 2018, and GRI 303: Water and Effluents 2018.

“These three GRI standards, now in effect, will be applicable to many organisations around the world, helping them respond to the emerging demands of their stakeholders,” said Bastian Buck, the GRI's chief of standards.

“From tax transparency to employee well-being and water stewardship, they cover crucial issues that illuminate corporate contributions to sustainable development.

“Looking ahead, we are not standing still. This year will see the launch of a major update to the universal Standards – the disclosures at the heart of all reporting through GRI – as well as progress on the new Sector Program.”

Image credit: UN