Refreshed governance for global sustainability standard setter
Published date: 24 January 2024
New members appointed to GRI’s Global Sustainability Standards Board
Three new members have been appointed to the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), the independent body responsible for developing and setting the GRI Standards.
The GSSB membership is globally diverse and covers five defined constituency groups: business enterprise, investment institutions, labor organizations, mediating institutions, and civil society. This ensures that the GRI Standards, the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting standards, reflect the needs of a multi-stakeholder audience and are developed in the public good.
The new additions to the GSSB are:
- Rebeca Coriat, Head of Stewardship, Lombard Odier Investment Managers (UK)
- Tomoo Machiba, Managing Director, Zeroboard Research Institute (Japan)
- Igazeuma Okoroba, Group Head of Sustainability, Dangote Cement Plc (Nigeria)
Giulia Genuardi, Head of Sustainability Planning and Performance Management, Enel (Italy) has been re-appointed for a second term. Meanwhile, now departed from the GSSB having completed their terms are: Kim Schumacher, Joseph Martin and Vincent Kong.
I am honored to join the Global Sustainability Standards Board at such a critical time for sustainability reporting. The need for best-practice reporting that is standardized, comparable and consistent across geographic regions and industries could not be greater. So is the ability to include company-specific information as firms’ sustainability journeys progress. I look forward to being part of the team tasked with ensuring the continuous development and maturity of the GRI Standards.”
Rebeca CoriatTwo decades on from serving in the GRI secretariat, I am very pleased to return and be able to contribute to the continued progress of the GRI Standards and realizing the visionary idea conceived by GRI founders Bob Massie and Allen White. I look forward to working with distinguished GSSB members to make the Standards even more robust and valuable for both reporters and users, while supporting our ongoing collaboration with key partners such as the ISSB and EFRAG.”
Tomoo MachibaI am humbled by the opportunity to join the GSSB, shaping the reporting landscape through the pioneer of the sustainable business movement. As sustainability leader, I have applied the GRI Standards to align with national and regional priorities and legislation. GRI has also been smart in targeting areas with a meaningful impact that ultimately translates to long-term value for multiple stakeholders, including communities, employees and investors.”
Igazeuma OkorobaThe GRI Standards are set by the Global Sustainability Standards Board, the independent and multi-stakeholder entity that works exclusively in the public interest. All standard-setting activities of the GSSB follow a defined Due Process Protocol and are guided by the priorities set in the published Work Program.
There are 15 members on the GSSB, which is chaired by Carol Adams (Professor of Accounting, Durham University Business School) who was appointed 1 April 2023.
Members of the GSSB are appointed by the Independent Appointments Committee. These appointments are on a voluntary basis for a three-year term from 1 January 2024.