Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

GRI is a standard for sustainability reporting by businesses globally.

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What is it?

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is an international organization that offers a comprehensive framework designed for sustainability reporting. This framework aids organizations in understanding and communicating their impacts on critical issues such as climate change, human rights, and corruption.

The GRI Standards aim to increase transparency and accountability. They facilitate businesses, governments, and civil society organizations in quantifying and enhancing their sustainability performance.

GRI advises organizations to report a variety of economic, environmental, and social topics. It provides regulations on how to disclose this information effectively. By advocating for standardized reporting, the GRI's overarching objective is to stimulate responsible decision-making and encourage sustainable practices globally.

If you need further information about a certain aspect of GRI or if you are referring to a specific organization, kindly provide additional details.

Who is it for?

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is primarily aimed at organizations and businesses that are seeking to enhance their sustainability reporting practices. It provides a comprehensive framework for reporting on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts. The GRI Standards are designed for the following participants:

  • Companies and Corporations: Businesses of all sizes looking to disclose their sustainability performance and impacts to stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, and the community.
  • Public Sector Organizations: Governments and public institutions that want to report on their sustainability initiatives and performance.
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Nonprofits seeking to improve transparency and accountability in their operations and impacts.
  • Investors: Stakeholders interested in understanding the sustainability practices and risks of the companies they invest in.
  • Researchers and Academics: Individuals and institutions studying sustainability practices and impacts, and using GRI reports for data and analysis.
  • Regulators and Policymakers: Entities interested in promoting sustainability and responsible business practices through legislation or policy development.

Overall, GRI is for any organization or stakeholder involved in sustainability discussions and practices.

When was it introduced?

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) was first established in 1997. It introduced the GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, which provided a framework for organizations to report on their economic, environmental, and social performance. The guidelines have undergone several updates since their inception. Notable updates include:

  • GRI G3: Released in 2006, it expanded and built upon earlier guidelines.
  • GRI G3.1: A minor update in 2011 that included some clarifications and enhancements.
  • GRI G4: Launched in 2013, this version significantly revised the reporting framework and introduced the concept of materiality in determining what to report.
  • GRI Standards: Introduced in 2016, this set replaced G4 and provided a modular approach, allowing organizations to adopt the standards as relevant to their operations. The GRI Standards have received ongoing updates since their introduction, with the most recent update occurring in 2021.

These updates reflect GRI's commitment to improving sustainability reporting practices worldwide and addressing the evolving needs of stakeholders.

Why is it important?

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is important for several reasons:

  1. Sustainability Reporting Framework: GRI provides a comprehensive framework for organizations to report on their economic, environmental, and social impacts. This helps companies measure and communicate their sustainability performance.
  2. Transparency and Accountability: By using GRI standards, organizations demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability, fostering trust among stakeholders, including investors, customers, and the community.
  3. Stakeholder Engagement: GRI encourages organizations to consider the perspectives and needs of various stakeholders, which can lead to more inclusive decision-making processes.
  4. Benchmarking and Improvement: Organizations can use GRI reports to benchmark their sustainability efforts against peers and industry standards, identifying areas for improvement and best practices.
  5. Regulatory Compliance: With increasing regulations around corporate sustainability reporting, GRI standards can help organizations comply with legal requirements and avoid potential risks.
  6. Global Recognition: GRI is widely recognized around the world, making its standards a common language for sustainability that can enhance an organization's credibility on a global scale.
  7. Driving Sustainable Development: By promoting and guiding best practices in sustainable reporting, GRI contributes to the global agenda for sustainable development, supporting initiatives like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Overall, GRI plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable business practices, enhancing corporate accountability, and fostering informed decision-making among stakeholders.

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What do organisations need to do?

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To comply with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), organizations should follow a systematic approach. Here are the key steps to ensure adherence to GRI standards:

Understand GRI Standards:

Familiarize yourself with GRI's framework, including the Universal Standards (GRI 1, GRI 2, and GRI 3) and Topic Standards relevant to your organization.

Identify Relevant Topics:

Conduct a materiality assessment to identify which sustainability issues are most significant to your stakeholders and impact your organization. This assessment should consider both internal and external perspectives.

Set Boundaries:

Define the organizational boundary for the report, determining which parts of your operations will be included (e.g., subsidiaries, joint ventures).

Collect Data:

Organize the necessary data and information required for reporting, ensuring that it is accurate and reliable. This may involve various departments, including finance, operations, and human resources.

Develop the Report:

Structure the report according to GRI guidelines. This may include an introduction, a profile of the organization, governance details, stakeholder engagement processes, and performance indicators.

Use GRI Indicators:

Select and report on the relevant GRI performance indicators that pertain to the identified material topics. Ensure that the data presented is transparent, clear, and substantiated.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Engage with stakeholders throughout the reporting process to ensure their perspectives are considered. This can enhance the credibility and relevance of the report.

Review and Assurance:

Consider obtaining external assurance for your report to improve credibility. An independent third-party review can validate your data and reporting processes.

Publish the Report:

Choose the appropriate format for publishing your report (e.g., printed, digital). Ensure that it is accessible to all stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement:

After publishing, gather feedback and assess the effectiveness of your reporting process. Use this feedback to improve future reports and sustainability efforts.

Stay Updated:

Keep abreast of updates to the GRI standards and other sustainability reporting frameworks. Participate in training or conferences to enhance your understanding.

By following these steps, organizations can effectively comply with the GRI standards and enhance their transparency and accountability in sustainability reporting.

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What are the benefits?

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides a comprehensive framework for organizations to report on their sustainability performance. Here are some key benefits of utilizing the GRI framework:

  • Enhanced Transparency: GRI reporting encourages organizations to disclose their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts, fostering transparency and accountability to stakeholders.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: By adopting GRI standards, organizations can better engage with stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, and communities, as the standardized reporting helps align stakeholder expectations with corporate practices.
  • Improved Performance: The GRI framework encourages organizations to assess and improve their sustainability practices through the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) and benchmarks, leading to better resource management.
  • Global Recognition: GRI is widely recognized internationally, providing credibility and enhancing the reputation of organizations that adhere to its standards, signaling their commitment to responsible business practices.
  • Alignment with Global Goals: GRI supports alignment with global initiatives and frameworks, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping organizations contribute to broader sustainability objectives.
  • Informed Decision-Making: GRI reporting provides data-driven insights that can help organizations make informed strategic decisions, allocate resources effectively, and identify risks and opportunities related to sustainability.
  • Enhanced Trust and Loyalty: Transparent and consistent sustainability reporting can increase trust among stakeholders, fostering loyalty from customers and employees who prioritize ethical and sustainable practices.
  • Compliance and Risk Management: Adopting GRI standards can help organizations stay compliant with regulatory requirements and manage reputational and operational risks associated with sustainability issues.

Overall, the GRI framework serves as a valuable tool for organizations committed to sustainability and responsible business practices, helping them navigate the complexities of reporting and communication in today's environment.

Our consultants

Our results

Using independent sustainability consultants with Leafr just makes sense

3x

More cost effective

Clients report significant savings compared to alternative hiring approaches

Lower Risks
48 hrs

Hiring time

We will find you the best person for the role in record time

High Project
100%

Trial to hire rate

We offer a risk-free trial period on every project. Not satisfied? Find someone else for free

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Here’s what our customers say

Hear how our vetted sustainability consultants have driven meaningful change for our clients

Good communication, flexible schedule and delivered exactly what was agreed and on time. Would work with her again!

Alexander Pfeiffer
CEO
at
Terralytiq

Tom helped us with calculating our carbon footprint outputs from 2019 to 2023. He managed everything end to end with minimal client direction. It was seamless and effortless. He's an excellent professional.

Bolu
COO
at
Miai

The support's been great from when we first started speaking, you wrote the brief for me and did all the sourcing. So that was fantastic. Communication has been great. The level of engagement has been brilliant.

Nick Anderdon
CFO
at
Freddies Flowers

‍Working with Leafr has been a pleasure from the beginning. Leafr has a wide network of talented individuals, and they have been able to seamlessly connect us with strong candidates for our various projects.

Lara
Partner
at
Xynteo

Leafr's marketplace boasts an extensive network of highly talented individuals. They have effortlessly connected us with great candidates. Leafr has become our go-to for skilled sustainability professionals.

Brenan Hodkinson
CRO
at
Apiday

Whenever you hire consultants you worry whether they'll be as motivated or skilled as your team. Every Leafr consultant has been so impressive. We spoke to several sustainability agencies and this has been far better value.

Guadalupe Oliver
CEO
at
Candoe

Our expert immediately became a seamless addition to our team. Her work showed a mastery of ESG and a strong understanding of the financial sector. We'd love the opportunity to work with her again.

Jess Katz
Director
at
TRIPTIK

What you get by working with us

When you work with Leafr, we make sure to deliver - every time.

Flexibility

Flexibility

We adapt to your needs, offering tailored solutions that evolve as your sustainability goals and challenges change.

Quality

Quality

We don’t compromise. We connect you with specialists who deliver exceptional work, ensuring every project meets the highest standards.

Value

Value

We maximise impact while keeping costs low, ensuring you get exceptional results within your budget, with a clear focus on return on investment.

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Commitment

Your mission becomes ours. We’re dedicated to supporting you from start to finish, no matter the complexity or duration.

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Ownership

We take responsibility for our work, proactively managing projects and driving outcomes that align with your vision.

The values that drive everything we do

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Flexibility

Flexibility

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Quality

Quality

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Value

Value

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Commitment - Workplace X Webflow Template

Commitment

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Ownership - Workplace X Webflow Template

Ownership

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Do you need to align with a specific framework or regulation?

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Our consultants have delivered for the best across industries

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Construction & Real Estate
Place for People
Construction & Real Estate
Foster and Partners
Construction & Real Estate
Battersea Powerstation
Banking and Investment
Clarien
Banking and Investment
Tokoro Capital
Construction & Real Estate
Broll
Construction & Real Estate
Hilti Group
Banking and Investment
M&G
Banking and Investment
IP Group
Banking and Investment
UBS
Banking and Investment
Morgan Stanley
Banking and Investment
Apex
Banking and Investment
JP Morgan
Banking and Investment
Planet A Ventures
Banking and Investment
Natwest
Banking and Investment
Triodos Bank
Banking and Investment
Sustainable Ventures
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Our vetting process

Each applicant must pass our stringent vetting process before working with clients. Only those meeting our high standards are accepted. We test for behavioural competency, technical skills,  sustainability experience, and culture fit.

20% pass rate

In-depth skill review

Each consultant submits a written application along with case studies of their work. This ensures they have the specialised technical skills to tackle your sustainability challenges.

12% pass rate

Live screening

We interview each candidate for behavioural and technical skills, and test against our detailed  sustainability skillset matrix. We also ask for references and testimonials.

3% pass rate

Test projects & peer review

With the help of our experts, we review past projects to verify the consultant’s ability to deliver impactful sustainability outcomes.

Need help with your sustainability initiatives?

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How it works

Go from search to hire in as little as 48 hrs.

Project

1. Create project

Post your job description or work with us to write one on your behalf

Talent

2. See the best profiles

No more sifting through 100s of CVs. See a shortlist of the best 3-5 consultants within hours.

Interview

3. Interview & start project

Hire your favourite candidate and start working. There is a risk-free trial period on each project.

Frequently asked questions

Hiring a sustainability consultant can be a daunting process. Here we answer some of the common concerns we hear.

Will the consultant be available when I need them?

Leafr consultants are committed to your project�s success. We ensure they have the availability you need, and our support team is on hand to address any urgent requirements. Our consultants are trusted by top organisations because of their reliability and commitment.

How will you handle our sensitive or confidential information?

Confidentiality is a top priority at Leafr. All consultants sign strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and are trained to handle sensitive information with the utmost care, ensuring your business data remains secure. This is part of why organisations worldwide trust our consultants.

What if the consultant pushes solutions that are too expensive to implement?

Leafr consultants focus on providing cost-effective, practical solutions. They work within your budget constraints and prioritise recommendations that offer the most value without unnecessary expenditure. We offer a risk-free period so you can evaluate their proposals without financial risk.

Will working with a consultant disrupt our current operations?

Our consultants are skilled at integrating smoothly into existing operations. They work with minimal disruption, focusing on enhancing your processes rather than interrupting them. Their experience with top organisations ensures a seamless fit into your team.

I'm worried the consultant might leave the project halfway through.

Continuity is ensured through our rigorous project management oversight. Leafr consultants are committed professionals, and we have contingency plans in place to guarantee that your project will be completed even if unforeseen circumstances arise. Our 100% project satisfaction rating is a testament to our reliability.

I'm worried about committing long-term just to see results.

Leafr offers flexible engagement options. Whether you need short-term assistance or long-term support, we tailor our services to match your desired commitment level. Our risk-free period allows you to explore these options without long-term obligations.

What happens if the consultant becomes unavailable or the project gets delayed?

We have a robust network of consultants, so if any unexpected issues arise, we can quickly provide an equally qualified replacement to keep your project on track. Leafr�s support team is always available to manage and mitigate any potential delays. We also offer a risk-free period to give you peace of mind.

Is the cost-benefit ratio of hiring a consultant really worth it?

Leafr consultants are chosen for their ability to deliver clear ROI. We ensure that the value they bring far outweighs the investment, with tailored solutions that directly impact your bottom line. Plus, our risk-free period allows you to assess the value without commitment.

Will the consultant communicate effectively with our team?

Effective communication is a cornerstone of our consultants� approach. We ensure clear, consistent communication throughout the project, fostering collaboration and alignment with your team. This commitment to communication is a key factor in our 100% project satisfaction rating.

Will my team need retraining after the consultant leaves?

Our consultants focus on knowledge transfer, equipping your team with the skills and understanding they need to sustain progress after the project concludes. This ensures that the improvements are lasting and your team remains confident moving forward.

Will the consultant stay updated with the latest sustainability trends and regulations?

Leafr consultants are experts in their fields, continuously updating their knowledge of the latest trends and regulations. We ensure they bring the most current insights to your project, supported by ongoing training and development opportunities.

I'm concerned about how to assess the consultant's performance effectively.

Leafr provides clear metrics and regular updates, allowing you to track the consultant�s progress and assess the impact of their work. We also encourage feedback to ensure expectations are met. Our 100% project satisfaction rating reflects our dedication to transparency and performance.

How soon will we see results from the consultant's work?

While sustainability initiatives often have long-term goals, our consultants focus on delivering quick wins and measurable progress early in the engagement, ensuring you see value from the outset. Our risk-free period allows you to experience these early results firsthand.

I'm worried the consultant might not fully commit if they have multiple clients.

Our consultants are dedicated to delivering results. Leafr carefully manages consultant workloads to ensure your project receives the attention and commitment it deserves. Our 100% project satisfaction rating is a testament to our consultants� focus and dedication.

What if the consultant doesn't understand my specific industry or business model?

At Leafr, we thoroughly vet our consultants to ensure they have deep expertise in various industries. We match you with specialists who have proven experience in your sector, ensuring they understand your unique challenges and goals. Our consultants have been trained and trusted by the best organisations worldwide.

Not sure where to start?

Book a free call with an expert in X of our consultants. They will help you understand your current position, build out an initial strategy and prioritise the most impactful projects to work on.

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