The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has launched the recruitment of an expert working group to develop new reporting standards on pollution. The initiative aims to address the severe impacts of air, water, and soil pollution on the environment, biodiversity, human health, and quality of life. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution alone caused an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths globally in 2019 and poses significant threats to ecosystems and the global economy. 

The recruitment process, open until August 18, seeks experts from GRI’s five constituencies: business enterprises, investment institutions, labor organizations, mediating institutions, and civil society. The group will focus on reporting air and soil pollutant emissions, hazardous substances, and critical incident management. This holistic approach will encompass all pollution-related dimensions, including air, soil, and water. 

The Pollution Working Group will revise existing disclosures on issues like ozone-depleting substances, nitrogen, and sulfur dioxides, and significant spills. Additionally, it will develop new disclosures, leading to the creation of new Topic Standards on pollution. A supporting guidance document will also be produced to help organizations navigate GRI disclosures on pollution. 

Bastian Buck, Chief Standards Officer at GRI, stated, “For decades, there has been a lack of transparency on pollution and its harmful effects on people’s health, the environment, and the planet. The Global Sustainability Standards Board recognized the need for more effective reporting and initiated a review of GRI’s existing pollution disclosures. The next stage in this project is to recruit members who can bring diverse perspectives to our Working Group and lead the creation of new disclosures. We encourage anyone with relevant expertise to apply.” 

GRI is an independent international organization that aids businesses and other organizations in taking responsibility for their impacts by providing a global common language for reporting these impacts. The GRI Standards are the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting standards, developed through a multi-stakeholder process and available as a free public good. 

Sources: 

https://www.accesswire.com/886113/gri-seeks-to-clean-up-reporting-on-pollution 

https://www.3blmedia.com/news/gri-seeks-clean-reporting-pollution