GRI has initiated the recruitment of an expert working group to steer the development of new reporting standards addressing pollution. The working group will include representatives from GRI’s five constituencies: business enterprises, investment institutions, labour organisations, mediation institutions, and civil society. Experts with backgrounds in reporting on air and soil pollutant emissions, hazardous substances, and incident management are sought. The recruitment process remains open until 18 August.
Pollution of air, water, and soil significantly impacts the environment, biodiversity, human health, and quality of life. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution alone caused an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2019. Additionally, pollution can cause irreversible environmental damage on a large scale, posing serious threats to ecosystems, with welfare losses equivalent to over 6% of global GDP annually.
The project will adopt a comprehensive approach, considering impacts across air, soil, water, and other pollution-related dimensions. The Pollution Working Group will lead the revision of existing disclosures, such as those on ozone-depleting substances, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, and significant spills, while also developing new ones. These efforts will culminate in new Topic Standards focused on pollution. Additionally, a guidance document will be crafted to assist organisations and stakeholders in navigating GRI disclosures concerning pollution.
For decades, there has been a lack of transparency on pollution and its harmful effects on people’s health, the environment and the planet. Against this backdrop, the Global Sustainability Standards Board instigated a review of GRI’s existing pollution disclosures and the creation of new ones, recognising the need for more effective reporting by governments, businesses and other organisations. The next stage in this important and timely project is to recruit members who can bring a wide range of multistakeholder perspectives to join our Working Group and lead the work to create disclosures in support of reporting on pollution. The global call for applicants is now open and I encourage anyone with relevant expertise to apply,” said Bastian Buck, GRI Chief Standards Officer.
