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New Research Publication Available!
GRI has conducted research to review the use of the pilot version of the Public Agencies Sector Supplement. Please find more information below.
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Current Project Status
Research
The use of the pilot version of the Public Agencies Sector Supplement (2005) has been reviewed with the purpose of assessing the level of reporting on the Supplement items. The main conclusions are that GRI reporting is still in its infancy in this sector and also the quality of the reporting leaves much room for improvement. The research findings are gathered together in the new publication 'GRI Reporting in Government Agencies'.
At present this Sector Supplement is available as a pilot version and GRI is exploring to progress the pilot version to a final version.
Should GRI identify sufficient interest to progress this Sector Supplement to a final version, a multi-stakeholder working group will review the use of the Sector Supplement, bring it up-to-date with the G3 Guidelines and develop detailed reporting guidance in indicator protocols. Drafts of the final version will then be posted for public comment.
Downloads
Public Agencies (Pilot)
GRI Reporting in Government Agencies
About the project
Why produce a Sector Supplement for the Public Agencies Sector?
Public Agencies play an important role in every society. Direct and indirect impacts touch the lives of all citizens and legal entities and together they often constitute the largest economic force by far. This calls for transparency, a call GRI has responded to by developing the Public Agencies Sector Supplement.
By providing guidance on how to apply the GRI Reporting Framework in the context of Public Agencies, the Public Agencies Sector Supplement makes a valuable contribution to achieving increased transparency in the public sector.
Background
The Supplement has been designed for general use by Public Agencies operating in the three main tiers of government (national, regional, local). While acknowledging the different functions and responsibilities of Public Agencies (hence the different operational impacts), the GRI Framework creates a common, comparable reporting framework that allows for suitable benchmarking.
It provides organisations the unique opportunity to reflect on their sustainability performance individually as well as in comparison with others. The GRI Reporting Framework is voluntary and its flexible structure allows reporting organisations to determine the best way to apply it to their specific situation.
Development process
In September 2003, GRI began developing the Sector Supplement for Public Agencies in response to increased interest for more specific reporting guidance for public sector organisations. In order to remain accountable and transparent, Public Agencies already produce various financial and annual reports as part of their civil service responsibility. However, many Public Agencies are still in early stages of developing sustainability reports on their organisational and operational performance. Such issues may not be fully addressed within the scope of their current reporting practices.
Like all GRI Sector Supplements, this Supplement development process was initiated with the explicit intention of building on the Guidelines as the foundation and to provide guidance on their application to Public Agencies. Therefore, much of the effort in the Supplement development process focused on how best to incorporate public sector elements into the context of the existing Guidelines.
Find out more on the Sector Supplement Development Process
Get involved
Practitioner’s Network
A Practitioners’ Network is always open for those who wish to follow the work and to be available as external resources. Information, specific questions and drafts will be communicated to the Practitioners’ Network as it becomes available. If you are interested in joining the Practitioners’ Network for the Public Agencies Sector, please send an email to guidelines@globalreporting.org with ‘Subscribe Public Agencies’ in the subject line.
Contact GRI for more information about the Public Agencies Sector Supplement.
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