The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the United Nations Global Compact initiative have released a new publication Integrating the SDGs into Corporate Reporting: A Practical Guide. The publication helps companies of all sizes to prioritize SDG targets to act and report on, set related business objectives, and measure and report on progress.
The GRI has also launched an updated version of its widely used GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety reporting standard.
A series of ‘breakthrough’ moments have been named by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) in its 2017 integrated report, signalling the breadth of support for integrated reporting as it becomes embedded by businesses around the world. Please see the IIRC press release for a summary and access to the annual report.
The IIRC also announces that Dominic Barton has been appointed Chair of the IIRC. The IIRC website offers a press release and an interview with the new Chair.
The UK FRC's Financial Reporting Lab is inviting investors and companies to participate in a new project on the disclosure of climate change and workforce information. The project will consider how the recommendations identified in the Lab’s previous reports on business model reporting, risk and viability and performance metrics apply to companies’ reporting on climate change and their workforce. Please see the press release on the FRC website for more information.
The TCFD Knowledge Hub now offers two new sections – case studies and upcoming events – providing companies with the additional resources they need to ensure all the knowledge on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) is available in one place.
South Africa's IRC has updated its Starter’s Guide initially published in 2014, to provide organisations with practical suggestions on preparing an integrated report. It is aligned with the King IV Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa, 2016 and presents updated examples five years after publication of the <IR> International Framework.
Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) has released a two minute survey on sustainability in finance for all finance professionals to take. The survey aims to understand the current perceptions and attitudes to sustainability within the finance community. Please click here to participate.
A4S has also released a report setting out actions to deliver a global sustainable financial system, with recommendations for all parts of the investment chain. The recommendations in the report include building a compelling evidence base and motivating people to act, developing consistent terminology, allocating funds to sustainable outcomes, adopting reporting standards, and pricing externalities. The report can be accessed through the press release on the A4S website.
The World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) has formally launched its Principles for Sustainable Exchanges. The principles include education of market participants, promotion of ESG disclosures, multi-stakeholder engagement for sustainable finance, provision of markets and products, and establishing effective internal governance in support of sustainability efforts.