About the G3
- Why were the G3 Guidelines created?
- How were the G3 Guidelines created?
- How did people from all over the world participate in the G3 development?
- When did the G3 Guidelines become available?
- What are the main changes from the 2002 version to the G3 version of the Guidelines?
- What is an Application Level?
- I have been using the 2002 version to report - when and how to I transition to the G3?
- I am just getting started with reporting - should I use the 2002 version or the G3 version of the Guidelines?
Why were the G3 Guidelines created?
Prior to G3's release in October 2006, the Guidelines were last updated in 2002. In the spirit of continuous improvement, G3 was developed to capture and respond to the years of global experiences and evolution in reporting using the GRI Guidelines.
How were the G3 Guidelines created?
The G3 Guidelines were created through a three year, multi-stakeholder engagement process. Over 2003-2004, 450 people worldwide were engaged through a Structured Feedback Process on how to improve the 2002 Guidelines. This feedback set the main priorities for G3’s development. These themes were: clarity and purpose of indicators, reporting as a process.
Multi-stakeholder working groups that involved 100 experts from all sectors across all geographic constituencies ran throughout 2005. The groups – Indicators Working Group, and Reporting as a Process Working Group – followed the sign posts from the Structured Feedback Process and developed the draft G3 Guidelines after nearly a year’s worth of research, development, and consensus-seeking. A draft of the G3 was posted for public comment to which 270 responses were received.
In the final stages all of GRI’s governance bodies were involved in approving the G3 – including the Board, Stakeholder Council, and Technical Advisory Committee.
How did people from around the world participate in the G3 process?
During 2005 hundreds of people joined the G3 Practitioner’s Network which supplied ad hoc guidance and resources upon request from G3 working groups or the Secretariat. Approximately 3000 people attended one of 28 international “Sneak Peek” events between January-March 2006, designed to introduce the world to the draft G3. 270 responses were received during the public comment period (Jan-Mar 2006) – these inputs directly influenced the finalization of the draft.
When did the G3 Guidelines become available?
After over two years of multi-stakeholder consensus-seeking processes, public comment period, and research and development, the G3 were released in October of 2006.
What are the main changes from the 2002 version to the G3 version of the Guidelines?
There are several improvements of note:
- Reporting Principles now play a key role for determining report content, and achieving report quality. Each now comes with a concise definition and a set of self-tests that helps in their application.
- A new strategy and analysis disclosure allows report makers to succinctly describe their overall approach to sustainability management.
- The Disclosure on Management Approach (DMA) provides the report maker to outline the context within which performance should be interpreted.