Root of the matter

Abstract

The kick-off date for the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act 2007 has heralded what for many may be a confused frenzy as corporations prepare to meet reporting obligations on their greenhouse gas emissions, reductions, removals, offsets and energy consumption. Although official standards don't exist, the globally recognized de facto standards are the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. The GRI (www.globalreporting.org) is a collaboration by thousands of experts worldwide. It has the aim of providing global standards for sustainability reporting. Smaller organizations may feel the pressure to prepare for what's increasingly anticipated to become a market-imposed compliance obligation -- as bigger businesses look to the sustainability of their supply chains. Adoption of standards certainly indicates serious intent. But when it comes to compiling an actual sustainability report, it's the disparity of information needed that demands serious planning.