New partnerships contribute to global picture of sustainability

BusinessNZ and Landcare Research have partnered with the producer of the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), to provide an accurate and complete sustainability reports database for New Zealand.

BusinessNZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly said consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of products and services. “Businesses providing transparent and comparable reporting on how they manage their economic, environmental, social and governance impacts is a valuable way for them to respond to consumers’ concerns and demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development.”

Landcare Research chief executive Richard Gordon says “Landcare Research’s association with BusinessNZ and the GRI is seen as a positive step towards establishing an information hub and make available timely and accurate information about sustainability reporting trends in New Zealand, whilst raising the visibility of New Zealand reporting organisations within New Zealand and internationally.”

Phil O’Reilly added that as well as responding to consumer demand, businesses are themselves developing more sustainable and efficient production methods as a way of ensuring long-term profitability and viability.

“Joining GRI’s global network of data providers, means we can gain a more accurate global picture of sustainability reporting, compare organizational performance over time, and measure that performance with respect to laws, norms, standards and voluntary initiatives.

“This new partnership means we can also contribute to the GRI Framework’s continuous improvement and application worldwide.”

The Framework is developed through a consensus-seeking, multi-stakeholder process, with participants drawn from global business, civil society, labour, academic and professional institutions.

Landcare Research will carry out the data collection about reports published in New Zealand, and this will allow BusinessNZ and GRI to maintain and publish a complete and accurate database for New Zealand.