September 30th Weekly Update
Hi Friend,
Though a lot has been done over the years to try and untangle the myriad of sustainability disclosure standards and frameworks, we’re constantly finding that there’s still a lot of work to explain the value of each and how they might work together. We've packaged our thoughts into a few bite-sized updates below for you to marble over this week of September 30th.
If you’re interested in taking your non-financial reporting up a notch, you may want to consider...
Attending one of our upcoming trainings
We just confirmed November 8-9 in New York at Fordham University for the Certified GRI Standards Training course! Participants will learn how to use the GRI Standards to manage the reporting process and gain a strong understanding of how GRI relates to other standards and frameworks. Registration for the 2-day course is open.
We’re going online and are polling advance interest for those who would like to participate in CDP or GRI modules! Write us at info@isosgroup.com to express your interest.
Referring to the work done by others to untangle the myriad of sustainability disclosure standards/frameworks
The Corporate Reporting Dialogue (CRD) – an initiative bringing together the major standard setters and framework providers globally – published Driving Alignment in Climate-related Reporting. The report, released during Climate Week in New York, finds significant alignment between the GRI Standards and the frameworks of CDP, SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board), the Climate Disclosure Standards Board and the IIRC. The report also finds that the global reporting frameworks also align well with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
The Big eBook of Sustainability Reporting Frameworks, published earlier this year by ecoAct, provides a high-level analysis of key energy and emissions and sustainability reporting frameworks, along with a summary of who must must comply and what is reported, including a concise guide to the criteria and benefits.
Elaine Cohen’s recent blog post on the differences and similarities between GRI’s and SASB’s sector guidance caught a lot of attention by the sustainability profession recently. Anyone who has tried to capture all nuances in an attempt to push streamlined reporting knows how difficult a challenge it can be. At ISOS, it’s a fundamental component of our upfront due diligence. By aligning all standards, frameworks, relevant investor analyses and peer reporting practices we set the stage for what gets disclosed.
As Elaine highlights, “Bloomberg's 2018 Impact Report was prepared in accordance with (1) GRI Standards Comprehensive Option (including the Media Sector Disclosures) (2) SASB Standards (3) FSB Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) guidelines and (4) ‘select content from CDP’. That's four reporting frameworks. Convergence, anyone?”
Building a strong ESG foundation
GRI and ISOS are teaming up to help lead your cross-functional reporting “kick off” and provide practical feedback for strengthening your reporting process. Within, we’ll demonstrate how all standards/frameworks work together to inform materiality. If you’re interested in learning more about our collaboration, we invite you to reach out to us!
We’re teaming up with Measurabl to launch an ESG Foundations course where participants will walk away with a full package of essentials designed for those new to the ESG arena, so that they may get started with training, measurement, management, and action. Registration will open up in the next few weeks!
Contributing to the discussion
Our very own Eric Israel will be speaking to “How Integrating Sustainability into Risk Operations” at the next Skytop Strategies Sustainability & Risk Conference in Arlington, Virginia, on October 24th. Let us know if you’d like to be added to the guest list!
ISOS specialist and trainer Gwen White will be sharing insights on ESG data management as she joins other practitioners on a panel at the Sustainable Brands New Metrics Conference in Philadelphia on November 18-20.
If there is anything else you feel would help you along in your journey, please don't hesitate to send your thoughts to us!
To a brighter future,
Team ISOS Group
P.S. Want to know what book our team recommends this week? Big Giants by Bo Burlingham