First 2011 Training Dates and More Sustainability Happenings from BrownFlynn!

Mark your calendar for January 26^th and 27^th. BrownFlynn Learning is offering its first open enrollment GRI-certified course of 2011. The GRI Process prepares participants to understand and coordinate the GRI-G3 Process, and how it can be used, not only to develop a report, but enhance a company’s sustainability strategy. And that’s just the beginning…please click here to visit www.brownflynnlearning.com and register for the certified training session. Seats are limited.

Also, BrownFlynn and the Institute for Sustainable Development are excited to make available the survey results from their landmark stakeholder engagement and sustainability survey—conducted to analyze the importance of stakeholder engagement in developing an organization’s overall sustainability strategy. The findings resulted in a first-of-its-kind report on the role of stakeholder engagement in this important process. And that’s just the beginning…please email socialmedia@brownflynn.com to request a full version of the report. To read the press release, please click here.

We look forward to seeing you in Cleveland in January!

Water Leaks into CDP, DJSI, GRI and Others

Imagine a world where there is a global war fought over a natural resource that makes up, in some cases, 70% of our human bodies.  We have to melt snow for water supply, landscaping is illegal and our water consumption is controlled by the government.  This may sound extreme, but the global water crisis is gaining speed.

GRI Content Index templates available for use in ESG reports

GRI has recently developed a new GRI Content Index template, available for use in ESG reports.  GRI believes that every report following the G3 guidelines should include this Index.  The Index, which gives an overview of all the disclosures in a GRI report, is the specification of an Application Level.  The Index functions as a communication tool for reporters to support their Application Level declaration in explaining what has been reported and why, and also what hasn’t been reported and why.  This Index also functions as a navigation tool for report readers, directing them to the GRI data of interest.  

GRI recommends the use of this template as it promotes a consistent approach for communicating about ESG reporting.  Click here to download the template in Excel format.  There is a general G3 Index as well as customized Indices for each of the finalized Sector Supplements (Financial Services, Electric Utilities, NGO, Food Processing and Mining & Metal), which you can find in the different worksheets.

Course on Reporting Environmental Performance

Every year, more companies across the globe are recognizing the importance of sustainability and CSR reporting for improved reputation and financial returns from customers and investors, in addition to increasing cost savings and risk aversion.  In 2008, 84 percent of the 250 largest global companies by revenue reported on sustainability performance, 75 percent of which used the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework for their reporting process[1].

The GRI provides a standard framework and guidelines for measuring and reporting an organization’s economic, environmental, and social performance.  The GRI framework yields reliable, credible and comparable metrics through its use of performance indicators in 6 key categories: Environmental, Human Rights, Labor Practices and Decent Work, Society, Product Responsibility, and Economic.  By reporting on the indicators most relevant to their operations, organizations can present their significant environmental, social and economic impacts and opportunities. 

But at first glance, the number of indicators within each category may seem intimidating and even confusing.  To help organizations understand what these indicators mean, as well as where and how to start their reporting process, BrownFlynn Learning provides its signature course, “The GRI Process”, and has recently partnered with Symbiotic Engineering to offer a comprehensive course on GRI’s 30 Environmental Indicators.

On February 11, 2010, BrownFlynn Learning will complement its training session for “The GRI Process” (February 9-10) with the one-day course focused on the GRI Environmental Performance (EN) Indicators.  Environmental engineers (bios below) will help participants garner an in-depth understanding of the standard protocols and methodologies for setting goals and for tracking and reporting environmental performance toward those goals.  Instructors will delve into how the environmental indicators relate to benchmarking, reporting GHG inventories and life cycle analysis, and addressing problems faced by participants.