The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has announced plans to scale up its operational presence in Brazil, appointing Danielly A. Mello Freire as Country Lead to direct a new national engagement strategy alongside local institutions, regulators, and businesses.
Operating from São Paulo, Freire will lead efforts to deepen corporate adoption of GRI standards across Brazil while supporting organisations in embedding sustainability disclosures into long-term strategic planning. Key operational priorities for the expanding Brazilian program include broadening technical learning opportunities, increasing private-sector engagement, assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with disclosure frameworks, and collaborating with national policy makers.
Recent global research places Brazil fifth among 132 jurisdictions for total GRI adoption and third by market capitalisation, with 71 per cent of large listed Brazilian companies utilizing the framework. Local data from the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development highlights that 97 per cent of assessed companies use GRI Standards, with 84 per cent seeking external assurance.
Robin Hodess, Chief Executive Officer of GRI, noted: “Brazil has shown real leadership in corporate transparency, as reflected by widespread use of the GRI Standards. The opportunity is to build on that good practice, helping organizations turn disclosure into decision-useful insights to inform actions that strengthen accountability, competitiveness, and long-term resilience. Expanding our presence reflects the strategic importance we place on Brazil, and Latin America more broadly. I’m delighted to welcome Danielly to GRI. She will help us respond to the needs of Brazilian reporters and partners, and ensure Brazilian voices continue to be heard in the global debate on the future of sustainability reporting.”
Danielly A. Mello Freire, newly appointed GRI Brazil Country Lead, added: “Brasil is not only one of the world’s most advanced markets for sustainability reporting, it is also a country where businesses are increasingly recognizing that sustainability is a competitive advantage. Brasil has an extraordinary opportunity to lead the transition to a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy. I am honored to join GRI at this pivotal moment and to help Brazilian companies translate reporting into real business transformation – creating value for the planet, society and shareholders.”
The expansion is supported by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), aligning with the broader free trade agreement framework between EFTA and Mercosul.
Hanspeter Mock, Swiss Ambassador to Brazil, stated: “Brazil is Switzerland’s first trading partner in Latin America. GRI’s work will directly support responsible business practices among Brazilian SMEs. Strengthening local sustainability reporting capabilities is aligned with the promotion of strong environmental and social standards, as formalized in the recently signed free trade agreement between EFTA and Mercosul.”
To support local uptake, GRI has published its full standard set in Portuguese, alongside translated online learning programs delivered via the GRI Academy, including climate disclosure courses aligned with IFRS standards.
