GRI Academy courses
The GRI Academy is an online training platform that offers the GRI Professional Certification Program and a range of other courses relevant to sustainability professionals.
Following the launch of the revised Universal Standards in 2021, the GRI Professional Certification Program has also undergone an update.
New courses are added on a regular basis, building the GRI Academy sustainability curriculum for globally applicable professional development.
Professional Certification Program 2021 courses
The Professional Certification Program includes four courses that cover the fundamentals of GRI reporting and the certification exam:
1. Introduction to sustainability reporting and the GRI Standards 2021 update
2. Reporting with GRI Standards 2021 update
3. Reporting on Human Rights with GRI Standards 2021 update
4. Integrating the SDGs into sustainability reporting
The GRI Certified Sustainability Professional status is obtained by completing the courses and the exam.
The courses are offered in English and can be taken separately - our program-specific page and FAQ have more information on the learning options available.
Introduction to sustainability reporting and the GRI Standards 2021 update
This online course is open to those new to sustainability reporting or seeking to broaden their understanding of the subject.
After attending this course, you will be able to:
- Define sustainability through a holistic and multi-dimensional approach
- Describe sustainability challenges and explain how reporting contributes to sustainable development
- List key elements of a sustainability report and the value and benefits of disclosure
- Explain the concepts, features, and structure of the GRI Standards
Take the course
Reporting with GRI Standards 2021 update
This course is self-paced and designed for individuals seeking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the GRI Standards and their use for best practice impact reporting. It delivers a tailored learning experience that blends theory with practice, providing suggestions for how to apply the standards.
After attending this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the structure and purpose of the GRI Standards
- Define key concepts and reporting principles of the GRI Standards
- Identify the requirements for reporting in accordance with the GRI Standards
- Describe the process for identifying an organization's impacts and determining material topics
- Report contextual information about an organization and how it manages its material topics
Take the course
Reporting on Human Rights with GRI Standards 2021 update
This course is self-paced, providing an in-depth overview and analysis of how to report on human rights with the GRI Standards. After attending this course, you will be able to:
- State the relevance of human rights and human rights transparency to business
- Describe key concepts of the GRI Standards and the process for identifying impacts and determining material topics related to human rights
- Discuss human rights related disclosures in the GRI Standards, including the requirements and guidance
- Apply the GRI human rights related disclosures by examining practical case studies
Take the course
Integrating the SDGs into sustainability reporting
This online course explores the global sustainability challenges addressed by the Global Goals and defines the business case for engaging with the SDGs.
After attending this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the global sustainability challenges that we face as well as the business case for engaging on the SDGs
- Explain the role of sustainability reporting and how it contributes to sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs
- Interpret the current trends, challenges, and opportunities faced by organizations when it comes to reporting on the SDGs
- Integrate the SDGs into your reporting process by following the steps outlined in the publication 'Integrating the SDGs into Corporate Reporting: A Practical Guide, developed by the UN Global Compact and GRI
- Describe the reporting experiences of organizations in different sectors after examining their case studies
Take the course
Continuing education units (CEUs)
To keep their certification status, GRI Certified Sustainability Professionals need to participate in learning activities that maintain and/or improve their professional competence.
One Continuing Education Unit or CEU equals to one hour of GRI learning, which is designed to accommodate such professional development. The below courses all count as CEUs.
For more information, please check the CEU requirements or visit our Professional Certification Program page.
GRI 207: Tax
This course is designed for professionals engaged in tax-related issues and reporting. After attending this course, you will be able to:
- Describe tax-related impacts and global trends in tax disclosure and transparency
- Use GRI Standard GRI 207: Tax 2019 in your reporting and explain how it relates to other reporting aspects, such as the Sustainable Development Goals
- Interpret and implement GRI tax disclosures
Take the course
GRI 403: Occupational Health & Safety
This course is for reporters who wish to enhance their knowledge of occupational health and safety (OHS) based on the GRI Standards. After taking this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the latest trends in OHS and sustainability reporting
- Describe the key features of GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety 2018 and explain the key concepts and requirements of both the management approach disclosures and the topic-specific disclosures
- Use the Standard in your reporting process
- Describe what to consider in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, when collecting information for the management approach disclosures with the OHS Standard
Take the course
GRI 306: Waste
This self-paced course is for professionals engaged or interested in learning about waste management and reporting. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the global trends that informed the development of GRI 306: Waste 2020
- Identify leading practices in waste management
- Interpret and implement the Standard's disclosures
- Adapt current reporting practice to the new requirements listed in the Standard
Take the course
Other courses
Below you can find additional courses that are not part of the Professional Certification Program and do not represent Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Transitioning to the GRI Standards 2021 update
This course covers the main differences between the GRI Universal Standards launched in 2016 and the revised Universal Standards 2021. It also introduces the new Sector Standards and goes through the adaptations that were made to the Topic Standards. The course is intended for seasoned sustainability professionals who are familiar with the GRI Standards, and its purpose is to give a high-level overview of what has changed.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Explain why the GRI Standards were revised and how responsible business conduct concepts were embedded
- Summarize the main changes to the GRI Standards
- Discuss the system of the GRI Standards 2021 Update and explain the content and the use of the Sector Standards
- Describe the new guidance to determine an organization’s material topics
Take the course
Locally delivered training
Our global network of GRI Certified Training Partners provide courses in many countries, provided in local languages. Find out about the training available near you.
Certified Training Partners