GRI Uses Its Own Guidelines to Report Environmental Impacts
In terms of its environmental footprint, the Global Reporting Initiative looks a lot like many companies.
Employees, paper and business travel are the main sources of emissions and impacts, and those are likely to grow as the nonprofit ramps up its efforts to make corporate reporting mainstream.
Billing itself as a "relatively small organization with a big reach," the GRI detailed in its just-released 2009-2010 report [PDF] how it is trying to keep its environmental footprint from matching its gargantuan plans to increase the value of reporting for everyone. That includes the highly-anticipated development of its next generation reporting guidelines, an effort that will bring with it a slew of Working Group meetings and documents that may need to come from the printer.
Like many companies, the GRI eats its own dinner, meaning that it uses its own reporting framework to disclose its environmental footprint. The report is Application Level A, the highest degree of transparency.
But also like many companies, the GRI missed the A+ level because it didn't get the report assured. The reason for this is commonplace among companies that we talk to: budgetary constraints. Last month, we reported on UPS's latest CSR report, which was one of a small number to get third-party assurance.
The report is the fifth iteration from the GRI and covers the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which runs from July 1 - June 30. Here's how the GRI is addressing its environmental footprint:
• Travel -- The GRI uses a more detailed disclosure system to track employee travel, which also increases awareness. The GRI has no vehicle fleet. The organization is turning to technology to reduce travel emissions, which fell 13.3 percent last year, largely due to use of WebEx and Skype. The GRI will also hold webinars to bring events to a global audience. 
• Paper -- The GRI's procurement policy went into effect during the reporting year, including standards for recycling and office copies that are double-sided with black ink default. Employees are also educated on targets and how much they personally print. Now 92 percent of paper used in communications products is made with recycled content, compared to 79 percent the year before.
• People -- The majority of staff ride bicycles to their Amsterdam office, which takes up one floor in a building that is more energy efficient than its last; the GRI reimburses public transportation costs. Staff switches off all equipment during non-working hours.