GRI launches GOLD community of transparent sustainability reporting

The new GRI GOLD Community consists of a range of companies and organisations that are all striving to use transparency as a catalyst for change in a sustainable future.

More than 550 organisations from 69 countries have already signed up, including PepsiCo, Suncor, the European Investment Bank and Belgian chemical company Solvay.

“The GOLD Community is made up of leading organisations that are helping GRI shape the future of sustainability,” said GRI chief executive Michael Meehan. “GOLD Community members are the core of GRI’s global network and through their participation they play a crucial role in enabling us to carry out our mission.

“With last year’s arrival of the post-2015 Development Agenda and the ambitious agreements made at COP21, businesses have been called upon to take action toward a more sustainable world. The GRI GOLD Community will help its members unlock the real value of sustainability information to support these important goals.”

GRI aims to map out the future of sustainability through its Sustainability and Reporting 2025 project – with GOLD members already playing their part. The Community will be given exclusive benefits to help drive this sustainability shift, along with access to roundtable series for networking and collaborations.

Opportunities and support will be given to raise profile visibility, and members will be given access to leading knowledge and insights through a range of programmes.

Michel Washer, deputy chief sustainability officer of GOLD Community member company Solvay, said: “As members, we have the opportunity to hear and learn from the different points of view that are expressed around the same table – this is how good decisions are made.”

GRI at edie’s Sustainability Reporting Conference

The GRI will be speaking at the annual edie Sustainability Reporting Conference on the 23 February in London.

Now in its fifth year, the Conference will examine the global reporting landscape whilst addressing the biggest challenges faced by those striving to improve their own report and its impact for key stakeholders.

Sustainability leaders from Nestlé, BT Group, Unilever, CDSB, UNGC, Aviva, Whitbread, Diageo, The Crown Estate and McNicholas are just some of the speakers already confirmed for next week’s event at the Inmarsat Conference Centre, London. Find out more here.

Speaking at the conference is founder of Total Eco Management, Kye Gbangbola. He gave edie his top 10 tips for success with corporate reporting. edie also spoke to reporting award winners Aurora Organic Dairy on what crucial first steps need to be taken when venturing into the world of sustainable reporting.

Matt Mace