GRI G4 and SASB Reporting

Integrated reporting and an increase in companies choosing to lead with sustainability is creating momentum for greater adoption of standards…that is, a single source of standards. However, until a time such as that happens, it is good to understand the scope and emphasis of the standards that are out there, and how and when they are applicable to your business. There are many standards bodies; GRI, SASB, CDP, DJSI, FTSE. If corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting is your desired goal, GRI and SASB can be a powerful combination. GRI G4 and SASB are important sustainability reporting guidelines that help you efficiently measure your adherence to your CSR goals and to share that information with interested parties. They make it possible for figures in sustainability reporting to be easily understood and compared by all who read them.

Understanding GRI G4 and SASB

GRI and SASB guidelines address the same issue: The reporting of information pertaining to sustainability. They both also aim to simplify this reporting by focusing on the material business figures that have the greatest impact.

They have some major differences.

GRI or Global Reporting Initiative

• provides one set of guidelines optimized for use throughout all industries with supplemental sections to accommodate the needs of the individual industry
• is intended to serve the needs of all stakeholders

SASB or Sustainability Accounting Standards Board

• provides industry-based guidelines
• focuses on the needs of communicating with investors

While GRI and SASB require a little training upfront, they make internal decision-making and information sharing much easier and more rewarding because they focus on the material factors that provide the most concrete and actionable results.
We have all of these grand visions of doing good and improving our business, but we can go about it in unstructured and difficult-to-communicate ways that hinder both our philanthropic and financial success. With GRI and SASB’s carefully planned guidelines, you can more intelligently tackle your goals and communicate your successes to stakeholders.

Get started below.

GRI’s G4 guidelines seem pretty complicated, so they provide plenty of help.
GRI offers an introductory workshop https://www.globalreporting.org/services/preparation/Introductory_Workshops/Pages/default.aspx
and a transparency program to guide you through your first reporting cycle –
https://www.globalreporting.org/services/preparation/Business_Transparency_Program/Pages/default.aspx
Go to the Using SASB page to learn about implementing their reporting guidelines.