Uniting expertise to advance reporting on pollution
Published date: 16 December 2024
Multi-stakeholder working group established to lead on new GRI disclosures
In response to the growing global pollution crisis, GRI has recruited a working group to develop new Topic Standard(s) on pollution, bringing together 17 multi-stakeholder experts from all over the world.
The Pollution Working Group is now tasked with reviewing pollution-related disclosures across the GRI Standards and developing additional ones as needed - a process that will result in the creation of new disclosures to report on pollution-related topics, expected by early 2026 for public comment. The members have been appointed by the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB).
The working group includes a wealth of expertise in areas such as air and soil emissions, critical incidents, plastic, chemicals and other pollutants, as well as related management strategies and sustainability reporting. The group comprises representatives from:
- 5 from the corporate sector: covering a range of industries, and able to address sector-specific challenges;
- 4 from civil society organizations: bodies focused on environmental advocacy and sustainable development, in the context of addressing pollution-related issues, but also covering societal interests to ensure global and local needs are reflected.
- 1 from labor organization; representing the voice of workers in pollution-related topics;
- 2 from investment institutions: experts that bring in the perspective from investment, which can bring in finance towards a more sustainable future.
- 5 from mediating institutions: experts with consultancy and reporting backgrounds in sustainability disclosure that will help shape practical and implementable frameworks; and experts from regulatory and policymaking bodies, which will ensure alignment with public interests and legal frameworks.
The creation of the Pollution Working Group is a vital step towards strengthen reporting on emissions, spills and other pollution-related issues. The group brings together global diversity and sectoral perspectives, including civil society, public institutions and the private sector. This collaboration will shape effective and comprehensive new standards, aimed at transforming how organizations report on one of the most urgent crises of our time - currently causing millions of deaths, severe economic losses, and widespread environmental damage.
Thamar Zijlstra, GRI Senior Standards ManagerIn March 2024, the GSSB approved a new Topic Standard Project for Pollution to enhance reporting on emissions to air and soil, critical incidents, plastics and chemicals, as well as strategies for managing these emissions and addressing critical incidents. This initiative includes developing new disclosures and reviewing existing ones, such as GRI 305-6: Emissions of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS), GRI 305-7: Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Oxides (SOx), and other significant air emissions, and GRI 306-3: Significant Spills.