GAIA Metrics offers a time-saving tool for Sustainability Reporting

A new  time-saving sustainability reporting tool was recently introduced called Gaia Metrics CSR QuickStart™.

The program tool  searches across company sources and records to extract key words and numbers used to populate a Corporate Sustainability Report. It then takes data and populates it into a reporting format to essentially make the reporting process more streamlined and less resource intensive. In the process it also identifies gaps in missing data that may attract the attention of regulators, media, community groups and other stakeholders.

It also offers the option to publish a report based on the GRI format or  PSI, ISO 14000, ISO 26000 or GEMI reports.

Global Reporting Initiative

I just got back from a 2 day certification workshop on the Global Reporting Initiative or commonly known as the GRI. The GRI is the international framework and standard for sustainability reports.  I gained two great insights from this workshop. The first is that this framework requires companies to have dialogue and discussion with all its stakeholders on what they see as important regarding social and environmental issues of the company.  Secondly, I realized that this tool was more than a published, printed piece of information. Through its framework it requires companies to give careful thought and consideration on various aspects of economic, environmental and social implications of their business. Essentially, through stakeholder engagement and the conversation within the company, this tool is a catalyst to provide more thoughtful analysis on sustainability issues within a company. I’m excited to begin helping my own clients prepare and learn about the GRI