GRI Introduces Climate and Energy Standards for Streamlined Global Sustainability Reporting

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has launched two new sustainability reporting standards—GRI 102: Climate Change and GRI 103: Energy—to encourage business to increase transparency and comparability in the reporting of climate and energy information. The two standards were launched at London Climate Action Week and are designed to facilitate easier environmental reporting by complementing current global frameworks.

The new requirements are meant to enable companies to report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy use, and broader footprint of their climate action. This entails taking into account the socio-economic effects on workers, Indigenous Peoples, and communities. Focusing on science-based targets and energy use, the standards aim to drive sustained action in corporate sustainability.

GRI 102 touches on climate change disclosure, requiring companies to disclose emissions, climate goals, and impacts of climate policy. The standard brings out the idea of a just transition, considering how the transformation to a low-carbon economy impacts various sectors in society.

GRI 103 deals with corporate energy responsibility, such as use of fossil fuel and renewable energy sources. It provides guidance on how companies can lessen energy consumption and go for decarbonisation. GRI 103 calls for business enterprises to put energy strategy into the limelight as a key element of climate action.

The requirements are harmonized with best practices like the GHG Protocol and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2 Climate-related Disclosures. Harmonization is anticipated to lower the load of reporting against numerous requirements. A reporting entity under the IFRS S2, for example, will be meeting GRI 102 requirements in the process of using GHG Protocol methodologies.

The standards have been prepared in a two-step process with the participation of climate scientists, energy experts, and human rights specialists. They are further harmonized with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which include ESRS E1 on climate change as mandated by the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

For the support of companies in implementing these standards, GRI is providing the following implementation tools: an online training program, a comprehensive FAQ, and an early adopter pilot program. It is anticipated that these resources would facilitate the transition to the new standards as well as ensure high-quality reporting.

The new GRI standards can be implemented instantly and will allow for a global uniform response to sustainability reporting. The action responds to increasing regulatory and stakeholder pressure on organisations to provide environmental accountability through science-based, standardized reporting of data.

Source:
Edited from original report by Nirmal Menon, June 26, 2025, titled "GRI Unveils New Climate, Energy Rules to Drive Sustainability Reporting".