Author: Gwen White

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), GRI Certified Training, GRI Standards Exam, Sustainability

GRI Standards Exam – Things to consider

Gwen White
GRI G4 Exam
GRI Standards Exam

Last week I received an email inquiring about my experience with the GRI Standards Exam. This reminded me that several years have passed since I wrote about my experience with the GRI G4 Exam.

Definitely time for an update!

Things to consider about the GRI Standards Exam

Although completing the GRI Certified Standards Course is not a prerequisite, GRI recommends that exam candidates take the course. I agree because I have experience taking the GRI Standards Exam and am a trainer with the ISOSGroup that delivers GRI’s Certified Training. I know how the course can help you to understand the standards and to apply them. If you have taken the course, GRI gives a 20% discount off the exam fee.

After completing the course, you should study for the exam by reading the standards carefully and taking notes. Understanding how to apply the standards is important. I studied, and it paid off.

Once you register for the exam, you will be given access to sample questions. This helps to understand the format and type of questions to expect.

GRI’s Online Learning Platform administers the exam. This allows the convenience of taking the exam from any location with Internet access. You need a webcam and microphone because you will be recorded while taking the exam. If you have not used a similar test platform, you definitely will want to understand the setup details before hand. This involves making sure that your equipment is compatible with the platform and you are comfortable with the instructions.

You have 60 minutes to answer 40 questions. During the exam you have access to a non-searchable pdf of the consolidated set of standards. Don’t waste much time scrolling through the pdf document looking for answers. As with any timed exam, you need to pace yourself.

Once you pass the exam, your name will be listed with the other successful exam candidates’ names on the GRI website.

Good luck!!

 

 

 

 

ESG, ESG Disclosure Simplification Act 2019, ESG Disclosures, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability, Sustainability Reporting

ESG Disclosures – U.S. House Committee

Gwen White

To help strengthen environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures legislation, the Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship and Capital Markets in Washington, DC heard testimony from ESG experts. Their testimony will go toward the development of The ESG Disclosure Simplification Act 2019.

Why is this so important? ESG disclosures help internal and external decision makers assess risks and opportunities. This hearing is important because it spotlights how important these disclosures are to investors.

The U.S. House Financial Services Committee heard testimony of experts from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), CalPERS, Ceres, Decatur Capital Management, an investment management firm, and Patomak Global Partners.

The written testimony of each witness can be accessed at the following links:

To view the hearing, click this link. Testimony starts at 20 minutes.

ESG, Internal Controls, Sustainability Reporting

Improve the Reliability of ESG Data

Gwen White

Internal and external decision makers need reliable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data. Reliable data not only builds trust with external users, it helps internal users identify and mitigate risks more accurately. Take a look at new guidance from The World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Because suggestions align with COSO Internal Control Framework, application of the framework will be familiar to those in financial accounting.

Guidance on improving the quality of ESG information for decision-making

 

Assurance, GRI Certified Training, Integrated Reporting, Sustainability, Sustainability education, Sustainability Reporting, Sustainable Development Goals

ISOS Group November 2018 Newsletter

Gwen White

Take a look at the ISOS Group November 2018 Newsletter.

ISOS Group Team members
ISOS Group Team Members

Highlights include:

“Enact Sustainability Strategies, based in Sweden and The Netherlands, teams up with ISOS Group to expand its IIRC approved integrated reporting trainings in the United States and Kenya.”

“Approved by the IIRC, both one- and two-day trainings will be offered. To celebrate the partnership, representatives of both firms will ignite the U.S. market by co-delivering a training in New York City the first quarter of 2019.”

I will be involved in the Integrated Reporting training.

  • Upcoming ISOS Group trainings:

CDP Climate Change Investor Survey, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and GRI Standards

I will be one of the trainers for December 4-7, 2018 in San Diego. Hope you can join us.

  • My post in the newsletter:

Why Your Sustainability Report Needs Third-Party Assurance

You can find more information about sustainability reporting assurance in one of my prior posts.

Hope you find the information interesting and useful!

 

 

SWR is powered by the sun.

ISO 20400, Sustainability, Sustainable Procurement

Sustainable Procurement ISO 20400

Gwen White

At the Sustainable Brands New Metrics ’18 in Philadelphia last month, I spoke about sustainable procurement. In particular, I discussed Sustainable Procurement ISO 20400.

City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall

 

 

Few people in the audience knew of the relatively new Sustainable Procurement ISO 20400 standard. As a result, I want to spread the word!

Why is a sustainable procurement standard so important? Sustainable procurement reduces risks associated with negative impacts (e.g., human rights, pollution) in your supply chain. It can highlight opportunities to prevent supply disruptions and foster communications with vendors. Your reputation and leadership can be improved by establishing sustainable purchasing policies.

Whether you work for a for-profit, nonprofit, or government agency, your organization buys things. Some organizations buy more than others and focus on short-term cost reductions. Attending to your purchasing beyond the concern for short-term costs matters. You may say you do not manufacture products but provide only services. Purchasing involves so much more than just raw material purchases because it includes buildings, janitorial supplies, equipment, and office supplies.

Does your organization need a systematic approach to sustainable procurement policies?  Do you evaluate human rights and ethical behavior in selecting a supplier? How do you get top management to support sustainable procurement? How do you start or how do you improve your approach? Find answers to these questions in ISO 20400.

It is not a requirements standard but a set of guidelines for incorporating sustainability into an organization’s purchasing processes. Any organization of any size can use this. The topic areas include:

  1. Fundamentals – core principles of sustainability and sustainable procurement
  2. Policy and strategy – ways of adapting sustainability and sustainable procurement into policy and procurement context
  3. Organization – conditions (e.g., governance, leadership, personnel, and engagement) needed for sustainable procurement
  4. Procurement – process example provided to help create greater sustainability in supply chain

 

Hope you find this useful!