GRI G4 and Other Sustainability Reporting Guidelines Briefing

For all those for whom CR reporting or sustainability communications are important, the Ethical Corporation has compiled an excellent complimentary analysis. The 5 page report addresses the pro's and con's of the GRI G4 Guidelines. It also offers a thorough overview of other sustainability reporting guidelines (IIRC, SASB etc) which can help you choose the most material and relevant CR disclosure model, in line with your business.

This newly published analysis contains a detailed critique of recent Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 guidelines. In addition to a review of GRI G4 advantages and disadvantages you will also get an understanding how GRI stacks up against other institutions.

ISO Revisions Seek Overarching Guidance on 14001 Environmental Management Systems and Other ISO Standards

Revisions are being undertaken in ISO 14001 in order to create an overarching format in conformity with Annex SL (previously ISO Guide 83) which defines the framework for a generic management system. This new guidance is holistic and is intended to end conflicts, duplication, confusion and misunderstanding from different MSS management systems. Since being issued in 1996 and then revised in 2004, the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems standard has been adopted by more than 250,000 organizations around the world.

Annex SL, is described as a “high level structure and identical text for management system standards and common core management system terms and definitions.” Annex SL offers overarching guidance on ISO management system standards (MSS). It is intended to help explain how different standards fit together with minimum redundancy. Annex SL offers a common format, structure and core requirements for ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and ISO 50001.

Whitepaper - Best Practices in Sustainable Procurement of Paperboard

This whitepaper focuses on global trends in sustainable measures related to paperboard packaging. It outlines different measures of sustainability and the various steps that have to be taken to ensure sustainable procurement of paperboard packaging.

To access this whitepaper click here.

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Sustainable Australia Report 2013

According to a new report, crowded cities and bigger regional centers will drive sustainability in Australia. On 9 May 2013 The National Sustainability Council presented a landmark report titled Sustainable Australia 2013. According to the report an ageing population, rising health costs, growing cities and changes in traditional work and family roles are key issues.

The report provides a picture of Australia and tells the story of how the nation has changed over the last three decades. There has been significant progress (life span, health, education, economy, and employment), however inequality has increased and the health of Australia's natural environment has continued to decline in some key areas.

Report - Sustainability Consultants Face Complex Market Dynamics

For the past decade, management consultants and firms such as engineering service firms, environmental services firms and boutiques have created sustainability practices in an attempt to address a growing need for sustainability services, which include climate change, carbon management and cleantech.

However, sustainability consultants have experienced a bumpy ride, struggling to identify the market and to attract large contracts, which are few and far between.

This report helps sustainability consultants understand those challenges and sheds light on how consultants can succeed in a complex market.

Complimentary eBook - Energy Efficient Lighting Explained

Learn why lighting is one of the most cost-effective energy efficiency investments. Get the details about the industry's technological and political revolution.

Learn why lighting is one of the most cost-effective energy efficiency investments. Get the details about the industry's technological and political revolution.

Real Energy Writers' "Energy Efficient Lighting Explained: A guide for business people who aren't lighting techies:

- Educates you about your lighting technology options
- Informs you about the political landscape and controversies surrounding lighting
- Describes to take advantage of current lighting market conditions to cut costs and reduce your footprint.

Guide to Government Incentives for Green Commercial Trucks

There are numerous benefits for utilizing fuel efficient commercial trucks. In addition to being better for the environment, fuel-efficient trucks boosts your company image and positively impacts your bottom line.

While these vehicles are more expensive than their less-efficient counterparts, the U.S. government has set up incentive programs to provide loans, offset costs and offer tax credits and exceptions to help companies outfit their transportation operations with green fleets.

At the federal, regional and state level, there are five types of incentives for those that purchase new commercial vehicles or upgrade in fuel-saving trucking equipment:

Report - Corporate Sustainability Reporting Budgets And Priorities

Sustainability reporting is an important pillar of corporate sustainability programmes and firms seek to communicate progress and meet stakeholders’ demands for sustainability disclosure. This report helps executives in sustainability, marketing and communications roles and firms selling into these functions, to understand where responsibility and budgets lie for corporate sustainability reporting activities.

Verdantix spoke to 250 sustainability leaders in 13 countries across 21 industries. This report delves into responsibility, budgets and priorities with regard to corporate sustainability reporting and segments data by industry and region.

Click here to register for access to this report.

Guides - Sustainable Events

The Sustainable Event Guide (SEG) was developed to help you find the resources and services to make your events as sustainable as possible. It is a document filled with guidance, resources, and simple advice about organizing an event that benefits the community, promotes ethical purchasing, and reduces waste. For some, this guide may simply act as an information resource about environmentally and socially responsible retailers and/or as a guide in reducing the waste produced at an event. For those who have never organized a big event, this guide may act as a framework for the "how to" of organizing. Regardless of past experience in event organizing, we suggest browsing through the entire guide - it may inspire new ideas or stir up old ones. 

We believe everyone can make a difference through the way they host academic, social, and fundraising events. Although this guide includes many Concordia University specific resources, there is plenty of information that event planners from other universities and organizations may find very useful as well.

Electric Vehicle Buyer´s Guide

The Electric Vehicle Buyer's Guide can help you to avoid costly mistakes when buying your first green car. Many consumers are unfamiliar with the specifics of green cars, so deciding which one to purchase can be challenging. This guide will help you understand more about electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and when it comes time to selecting one, you’ll know what to look for, know the right questions to ask, and how to determine the right car for you. By reading this guide, you’ll learn the characteristics of green cars and be better informed when considering different cars and models. With this knowledge, you’ll purchase a car that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

The Business Case for REDD (Guide)

This complementary guide makes the Business Case for REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). It reviews what REDD is and why you need to factor it into your sustainability strategy. The guide addresses how businesses and stakeholders can benefit from REDD's effect to the carbon market. It also reviews how to get involved in REDD investment and the regulations involved.

8 Congressional Reports on Energy and the Environment

Here are eight recent reports by the Congressional Research Service related to the environment and energy. Congress does not release them to the public. These reports were released by the Federation of American Scientists' Government Secrecy Project.

Objection Handling: A Professional’s Guide to Overcoming Objections to Sustainability Adoption and Implementation

Insiders understand the value of sustainability, but many who are unfamiliar have resistance. When addressing these people it is important to know how to respond to the various reasons offered for resisting a sustainability program.

This discussion paper is titled "Objection Handling: A Professional’s Guide to Overcoming Objections to Sustainability Adoption and Implementation."

To download this complimentary discussion paper click here.


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Sustainability Success Kit from Enviance

Internal and external pressures are forcing organizations to be more aware of the impacts they have on the communities in which they operate. Organizations are increasingly being held accountable. In addition, market, social and regulatory pressures increase every day for businesses to effectively manage their environmental programs.

GRI Underutilized by Canadian SMEs

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has indicated that although the the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is a valuable tool, it is being underutilized by Canadian SMEs compared to large companies. The Government of Canada includes the Global Reporting Initiative in its CSR Strategy for the Extractive Sector and recommends that organization large and small do the same.

GRI and the Canadian Government

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada supports the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The Government of Canada includes the GRI in its CSR Strategy for the Extractive Sector and recommends it for Canadian businesses large and small.

GRI Reporting Tool is Good for Business

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides methods and metrics to help businesses with important new requirements.  Reporting is becoming a basic requirement in some markets and therefore it has become essential for businesses of all sizes. Most large companies already have supply chain standards that make stringent demands on their suppliers. 

The GRI Sustainability Reporting Framework

Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Framework is a set of practical tools that companies can use to measure and report their economic, environmental, social performance. The Framework serves internal tracking purposes and transparency. The Framework includes Reporting Guidelines,  Sector Guidelines and other resources.

The Guru's Guide to Implementing and Maintaining an Environmental Compliance System

Businesses need to address numerous and more often than not, complex environmental regulatory compliance obligations in order to operate. Savvy organizations take a proactive approach to this matter, implementing centralized and automated Environmental Enterprise Resource Planning (EERP) Systems.

Sustainable Capitalism White Paper

While governments and civil society will need to be part of the solution to the challenges we face, ultimately it will be companies and investors that will mobilise the capital needed to address the problems of our age. The challenges facing the planet today are unprecedented and extraordinary; climate change, water scarcity, poverty, disease, growing inequality of income and wealth, demographic shifts, trans-border and internal migration, urbanisation and a global economy in a state of constant dramatic volatility and flux, to name but a few.