About GRI, the institution
- Who is responsible for GRI?
- What are Organizational Stakeholders?
- What is the Stakeholder Council?
- What is the Technical Advisory Committee?
- How is GRI funded?
- Who participates in GRI?
- How do I become involved in the GRI?
- How do I contact the Secretariat?
Who is responsible for GRI?
GRI is an independent, global organization that is a collaborating centre of UNEP. The Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility for the GRI. GRI is governed through a multi-stakeholder governance structure of:
- Board of Directors, who have fiduciary, financial, legal, and overall strategic responsibilities for GRI;
- Stakeholder Council, an advisory group on broad policy issues;
- Technical Advisory Committee, an advisory group on technical issues;
- Organizational Stakeholders, who support GRI’s mission, elect the Stakeholder Council and contribute to annual budget; and
- International Secretariat, based in Amsterdam, who implements the work plan of the Board.
Between 1997 to mid-2002, GRI was a project of CERES and the UNEP. In 2002 GRI incorporated as an independent non-profit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
What are Organizational Stakeholders?
Organizational Stakeholders (OS) - comprising organizations of any type, size, and location - are a critical element in GRI’s governance structure. OS from business, civil society advocacy organizations, labor, and mediating institutions (e.g., accounting, consulting, foundations and governments) elect the Stakeholder Council which, in turn, appoints the GRI Board of Directors. OS also support GRI’s mission and contribute to the annual budget. GRI cordially invites organizations worldwide to register as OS.
Read more on Organizational Stakeholders.
What is the Stakeholder Council?
The Stakeholder Council (SC) is the formal stakeholder policy forum. It serves as an active multi-stakeholder body for debating and deliberating key strategic and policy issues facing the GRI. The SC appoints Board members and makes recommendations to the Board on strategic matters. The Council has 45 members, comprising a balance of stakeholder and geographic constituencies. It meets annually.
Read more about the Stakeholder Council.
What is the Technical Advisory Committee?
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) provides the GRI Board of Directors and Secretariat with high-level technical guidance on development and continuous improvement of the Reporting Framework and technical work plan. The TAC comprises approximately 15 experts in the fields of the environment, human rights, labor, economics and finance, reporting, and/or accounting. Each technical advisor offers the perspectives of varying constituencies and regions of the globe. The Board of Directors appoints all members of the TAC in consultation with the Stakeholder Council and Secretariat.
Read more about the TAC
How is GRI funded?
GRI is supported by its global network nearly equally divided in the following ways:
- Project grants from governments and foundations
- Corporate sponsorship of projects and events
- Provision of learning and other services
Support from a large international community of Stakeholder Council members
Who participates in GRI?
The GRI is open to all individuals and organizations with an interest in sustainability reporting. There are 20,000 stakeholders from over 80 countries, representing corporations, governments, non-governmental organizations, consultancies, accountancy organizations, business associations, rating organizations, universities, and research institutes within the broad GRI network. They contribute to the ongoing development of the Guidelines and related materials.
How do I become involved in the GRI?
GRI welcomes your involvement in the GRI network: whether you are new to reporting, an experienced practitioner or somewhere in between. Subscribe to news updates or see how you can get involved and join thousands of stakeholders worldwide in the pursuit of robust, relevant and continuously improved reporting guidance.
How do I contact the Secretariat?
Visit our contact page