The Global Reporting Initiative unveiled two new sustainability reporting standards Thursday, aiming to streamline climate and energy disclosure for companies and push corporate accountability amid mounting environmental and social pressures.

GRI 102: Climate Change and GRI 103: Energy introduce science-based, globally aligned frameworks that support more actionable and consistent climate-related disclosures.

Launched during London Climate Action Week, the standards are designed to help organizations report greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and the broader impacts of their climate strategies — including those on workers, communities and Indigenous Peoples.

“Amid an escalating climate emergency, the GRI Standards for Climate Change and Energy get to the heart of why companies need to be accountable for their impacts on people and planet,” said Robin Hodess, CEO of GRI, in a press statement.

Science-Based, Globally Aligned

Both standards align with the GHG Protocol, widely regarded as the leading methodology for GHG accounting, and are interoperable with the International Financial Reporting Standards S2 Climate-related Disclosures. This alignment enables companies to avoid duplicating emissions reporting while satisfying the requirements of multiple frameworks.

“Organizations don’t have to choose between standards,” said Pankaj Bhatia, co-director at GHG Protocol, in the statement. “Using a common foundation for emissions data helps reduce duplication, increase transparency, and accelerate meaningful climate action.”

A joint statement from GRI and the International Sustainability Standards Board confirmed that GHG emissions disclosures prepared under IFRS S2 will meet GRI 102’s requirements, provided they follow GHG Protocol methodologies.

Focus on Just Transition and Energy Responsibility

GRI 102 emphasizes climate action based on science-based targets and recognizes the socio-economic dimensions of climate change. It includes disclosures related to a “just transition” — detailing the impacts of climate action on labor, Indigenous rights, and local communities.

GRI 103 addresses the full spectrum of energy use, ranging from renewables to fossil fuels, with a particular emphasis on how companies reduce consumption and decarbonize their operations. The aim is to place energy responsibility at the center of corporate climate mitigation strategies.

“These new GRI Standards are unique in bringing human and environmental dimensions together,” said Carol Adams, chair of the Global Sustainability Standards Board, which oversees GRI’s standard development.

Streamlining Global Sustainability Reporting

The release follows a two-year, multistakeholder development process, which included a global public comment period and peer review by experts in climate science, energy systems, and human rights. GRI stated that the standards are also aligned with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, particularly ESRS E1 on climate change.

Sue Lloyd, vice chair of the ISSB, welcomed GRI’s recognition of IFRS S2 disclosures as equivalent: “This will enable companies to prepare just one set of GHG emissions disclosures, meeting the requirements of both standards efficiently.”

Support Tools and Early Adopter Program

To aid implementation, GRI is offering a new online course, detailed FAQs and an early adopter pilot through its GRI Community, with case studies expected later in 2025. These resources are designed to help companies navigate the new standards and enhance the quality of their disclosures.

The GRI Climate Change and Energy Standards are now available for use, marking what the organization describes as a “critical milestone” in advancing a coherent global system for sustainability reporting.

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