An interview with Mrs. Simone Warren, Global Reporting Initiative
The DFGE – Institute for Energy, Ecology and Economy is part of the GRI Gold Community. GRI is an independent international organization that has pioneered sustainability reporting since 1997. The GRI GOLD community helps foster links between organizations, to shape the future of reporting.
DFGE welcomes this initiative to be part of a larger network. In this sense, we want to show how the GRI GOLD community can beneficial for the various parties through the interview of Mrs. Simone Warren, Manager Corporate and Stakeholder engagement at GRI.
The GRI GOLD Community
- What are the key goals of the GOLD Community?
With the GOLD Community, GRI wants to foster a more sustainable, secure and stable economy and world. The GOLD Community brings together members from all over the globe to learn, discuss and help shape the future of sustainability and reporting. So we put the network, and the platform to support members in learning and engaging, front and center in our efforts.
GOLD: benefits to external companies and GRI
- Can you describe, how both parties benefit from the GOLD community partnership?
GOLD Community members support GRI’s sustainability work, as engaged stakeholders on key issues, reporting materials and participating in discussions about the future of sustainability. In turn, GRI supports members through opportunities to network, learn and produce work that helps shape the landscape of sustainability reporting.
- Is it beneficial from GRI to benefit from the support of consulting companies like DFGE?
Absolutely, consultants are crucial to engage with reporters, and they help to share knowledge of sustainability topics. Consulting companies are also invited to be GOLD Community members, and often participate in supporting GRI. For example, DFGE participated as a peer reviewer for the German translation of the Standards. As with all GOLD members, DFGE work isimportant to the community and DFGE’sknowledge and insights help strengthen our network.
- What advantages has the Gold Community brought the DFGE?
The GRI GOLD Community provides DFGE the opportunity to connect with other members in the network, to provide feedback on important sustainability topics, and to learn and engage with peers on sustainability solutions.
GRI GOLD Community benefits the overall network
- How does the community help strengthen the local network?
The GOLD Community helps to strengthen the local network by providing an extended network (connecting to a global platform), as well as opportunities to learn and engage together, and discuss the most important challenges and solutions. GRI also hosts a number of local events, such as the Roundtables, or launch events celebrating developments in the Standards. The GOLD Community also keeps members informed of the latest sustainability news, both locally and internationally.
- What do you think are the future trends of CSR reporting?
I think we are moving towards increased comparability and consistency, which will help reporters better harness the power of transparency by allowing more analysis and impact assessments. Further, the push towards digitalization means exciting changes on the front of reporting. We are moving beyond PDFs to more dynamic and interactive ways of presenting data and telling the story of your sustainability impact. The GRI Corporate Leadership Group on Digital Reporting will explore how these future trends will impact sustainability reporting.
- How can alliances such as the Gold Community influence the future trends of reporting?
GRI is well respected and well established in the field of sustainability reporting. Often, decision makers look to the work of GRI when developing new frameworks or regulations. The GRI GOLD Community also convenes key stakeholders, such as reporting companies, civil society, and government together to discuss and work on sustainability challenges. For example, the Corporate Leadership Group on Digital Reporting will explore and influence trends towards digital reporting. The GOLD Community provides a platform where members can gain a common understanding, share similar challenges and innovative solutions, which help increase comparability and consistency in sustainability reporting, which strengthens the usability of sustainability data to inspire change.
DFGE is very grateful for the opportunity to work together. Our CEO and founder Dr. Thomas Fleissner confirms Mrs. Warren’s statements by adding:
“As Chairman of the GRI Peer Reviewers Committee, I firmly believe that collaboration between the various parties, such as with the GRI GOLD Community, is key for the future of sustainability, as it drives further actions and fosters more understanding. I am very happy to support GRI in the translation process and looking forward for more interactions”.
If you want to learn more about the GRI GOLD Community, please check https://www.globalreporting.org/network/GOLDCommunity/Pages/default.aspx. If you need support in terms of GRI reporting, go to https://dfge.de/en/gri-global-reporting-initiative/ or contact us at . Together, let’s “shape the future of sustainability reporting”!
