SDG Insider: Bridging corporate reporting and the sustainability agenda

Sustainability reporting is an ever-changing landscape and it can be challenging to keep up with all the regulatory shifts and changes. In Episode 6 of "The SDG Insider," we explore the evolving landscape of sustainability reporting and its intersection with global regulatory developments. We highlight the impact of key initiatives, such as the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), Disclosure Standards, and explore how they are affecting businesses worldwide, while also taking stock of the GRI Standards’ position in the reporting landscape as the oldest and most widely used voluntary reporting framework. Bastian Buck - Chief Standards Officer at GRI, Diego Herrera - Financial Markets Lead Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank, Alyssa Rade - Chief Sustainability Officer at Sustain.Life and Maximilian Müller - Professor at the University of Cologne, shed light on how companies in different regions are adapting to these changes, with a particular focus on the role of digital platforms and the challenges and opportunities in the ESG data landscape. Subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode and keep up to date with the latest in the world of Sustainability, Development, and Governance. Links you should know about: The Global Reporting Initiative: www.globalreporting.org Transcript - Navigating Sustainability Reporting in the Age of Regulatory Revolution.pdf — PDF (124.4 KB)

Why is food production on land and in water central to the Sustainable Development Goals? In this episode of SDG Insider, we explore the challenges and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals in agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing with Wilbert Flinterman from Fairtrade International; Secretary General of Global Child Forum, Katarina Mellström; Alba Graells Roca, from the Catalan Ministry of Climate Action and David McInnes, the Founder and National Coordinator of Canada's National Index on Agri-Food Performance. They touch on child labour laws to protect children’s rights, smallholder farmers' struggles to earn a living wage, and how the GRI 13 Sector Standard helps companies address and report on critical aspects to achieve SDG targets and so much more. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you don’t miss an episode and become part of the solution as we strive to meet the SDGs by 2030. Links you should know about: The Global Reporting Initiative: www.globalreporting.org Transcript_ The growing importance of agriculture and fishing in ending hunger and poverty .docx.pdf — PDF (97.3 KB) · Resources.pdf — PDF (20.1 KB)

What are the tax responsibilities of corporations from a sustainability perspective? What part does ethical tax decision-making play in companies managing risk and being more resilient? In this pivotal episode of SDG Insider, we explore the crucial role of transparent tax reporting in building trust within society and fostering a more equitable world with Executive Director at Ethical Systems, Alison Taylor, and Global Advisory and Tax lead at GRI, Dave Reubzaet. Hosted by Ayanda Charlie, join us as we explore the tax responsibilities of corporations through an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) lens and discuss the impact of ethical tax decision-making on a company's risk management and resilience. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode as we foster transparency, ethical tax practices, and a more equitable society through responsible business decisions. Links you should know about: The Global Reporting Initiative: www.globalreporting.org Transcript - How transparent tax reporting can build trust – and a more equal society .docx.pdf — PDF (109.8 KB)

In an ever-evolving labour landscape, how can businesses ensure they respect the rights and prioritise the well-being of their workforce? In this thought-provoking episode SDG Insider we dive deep into the complex realm of labour with three distinguished experts: Janine Berg, Jason Judd, and Christy Hoffman. Together, they demystify the multifaceted challenges facing both employers and employees in the digital age and the physical world. Hosted by Ayanda Charlie, our discussion delves into crucial topics such as the impact of rapid technological advancements on jobs, the evolving role of unions, the contentious practice of classifying workers as 'independent contractors,' governance issues surrounding remote work, and more. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the dynamic interplay of the Sustainable Development Goals and corporate sustainability. Remember to subscribe for future episodes that unravel the world of Sustainable Development Goals and corporate responsibility. Stay informed, stay inspired! Links you should know about: The Global Reporting Initiative: www.globalreporting.org Transcript - How to protect workers – online and on the ground – in our changing world.pdf — PDF (126.2 KB)

Are businesses really making progress in their efforts to combat climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030? In Episode 2 of The SDG Insider podcast, host Ayanda Charlie explores the challenges of corporate climate reporting and the accountability of businesses in achieving their climate goals. From unpacking the landmark case against Royal Dutch Shell to greenhouse gas emissions and their measurement across three scopes, this episode explores imperative issues in corporate climate reporting. We hear from experts from Greenhouse Gas Protocol with Climate Bonds Initiative and ClientEarth who shed light on accurate carbon accounting with the role of green finance instruments in sustainable investments and corporate liabilities for failures to manage climate risks. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast for more insights into the Global Goals and corporate sustainability. Visit our website: www.globalreporting.org Transcript - Adding it up_ The risks and rewards of corporate climate reporting.docx.pdf — PDF (111.7 KB) · Resources.pdf — PDF (20.2 KB)

Are all human rights relevant to businesses? What does due diligence look like when it comes to people? We kick off the new season of the SDG Insider podcast with host, Ayanda Charlie, chatting to Elin Wrzoncki, Dante Pesce and Kees Gootjes about the important topic of business and people´s human rights. The big question: How can human rights considerations be integrated into core business practices and decision-making processes to bring everyone closer to achieving the Global Goals by 2030? Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so that you don’t miss an episode! Visit our website: https://www.globalreporting.org/ Transcript - Minding your own business: How can human rights due diligence create a better future for all.pdf — PDF (134.8 KB) · Resources.pdf — PDF (19.4 KB)

We’ve all heard the saying that “the whole is more - or greater - than the sum of its parts”. Inthis episode, Felix Dodds, Sustainable Development consultant credited for his proposal tointroduce the Stakeholder Dialogues at the UN General Assembly back in 1996, andCharlotte Kirby, ​​Vice President of Strategic Relations at SalesForce, discuss why and howpartnerships are the best means for achieving the SDGs.

What should be addressed in order to achieve peace, justice, and strong institutions?In this episode, Michelle Breslauer, Governance and Peace Senior Manager at the UN GlobalCompact, discusses how corporate leadership is moving from pure compliance to a moreethics-driven practice, by helping ensure that businesses incorporate transparency to allaspects of their operations, in order to protect and promote the values of societies andcommunities.

We depend on terrestrial ecosystems as much as we depend on air to live. In this episode,Elim Sritaba, Chief Sustainability Officer at Asia Pulp & Paper, discusses the importance of reporting. His experience and insights are accompanied with those of Elodie Chene, GRI’sSustainability Standards Manager.

The world’s oceans are climate regulators, and their health is ultimately connected to that ofour own. Kate Bonzon, the Oceans Global Initiatives’ Vice President at the EnvironmentalDefense Fund, and Lene Serpa, Head of Maersk’s Corporate Sustainability and ESG,advocate for new strategies that could bring our oceans back into good health.

What is needed to reverse the spill of 11 million gallons of oil off Alaska coast?The accident took place about thirty years ago and has led to the birth of Ceres, of whichMindy Lubber is CEO and President. As a well-known global thought leader on climatechange, she has inspired capital market leaders and corporate boards to factor the ESGpractices into their overall strategies.Talking about strategic planning with Mindy also connects to large companies; initiatives,such as those of the ENEL Group. We talked to the Group’s Head of Planning, Sustainabilityand Human Rights Performance Management, Guilia Guenuardi.

This episode explores how sustainable practices have evolved over time and the currentstates of affairs with Chris Coulter, CEO at GlobeScan, and Michael Kuhndt, ExecutiveDirector at CSCP.

This episode features representatives from business and government who discuss the roleof reporting in creating sustainable cities and communities.From the business side, Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer at City Developments Limitedand a member of the GRI Supervisory Board, argues that in order to enhance sustainabilityperformance, a company should not only report on sustainability matters that are financiallymaterial, but on those that are material to the market, the environment and people as well.From the government’s side, Bernadia Trjandradewi, Secretary General of United Cities andLocal Governments for the Asia Pacific Region, discusses why trust and collaboration arekey for achieving SDG 11.

Poverty does not happen by accident.To discuss related problems as well as solutions to reduce inequalities, we talked to ShankarVenkateswaran, Chair of Oxfam India and one of the founders of ECube InvestmentAdvisors, and Molly Harris Olson, CEO of Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand - whoillustrates what supply chain transformation might look like.

Talking about infrastructure, industrialization and innovation, means talking aboutconnectivity, which forms the foundation of our lives as humans, and here, companies havea leading role to play.In this episode, we will hear from Lena Hök, Executive Vice President of Sustainability andInnovation at Skanska Group - one of the leading project development and constructiongroups in the world - and Karen Basiye, Head of Sustainable Business and Social Impact atSafaricom - the largest telecommunication provider in Kenya. They share their learnings andinsights on the topic acquired during the years.

Will focusing on growth alone help us meet the objectives set out in SDG 8, such as promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all? The answer is no, it will not. Hear why from Linda Germanis, Private Sector Engagement Specialist at the UN Development Program in Bangladesh, and Brittany Burns, Director of Strategy at Fashion For Good.

Ensuring access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy - while leaving no one behind - lays the foundation of sustainable development. In this episode, Koen Peters, Chief Executive Officer at Gogla, shares his perspective on the opportunities of the off-grid solar energy industry, and discusses the existing challenges of developing a profitable business model for remote areas.

It’s no secret that water is essential to all life on Earth. The episode on SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation features Dennis van Peppen, International Water Programmes Team Lead at the Netherlands Enterprise and Development Agency, and Chong Mien Ling, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Singapore National Water Agency, as they address the need for concerted and global action to tackle the looming water crisis, all the while discussing sustainable water management and providing practical solutions to existing problems.

It’s a given that we all should have equal access to opportunities, but we are far from there. In this episode on SDG 5: Gender Equality, Danielle Sharaf, Founder and CEO at Switch ITC, and Meral Guzel, Partnerships Manager at the Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator at UN Women, share insights on how female-led entrepreneurship can be a massive driver in reaching the targets set out in SDG 5, and how gender equality is not only a right but an important factor in economic development.

In this episode, the former Director of the Environment and Energy Division at the UN Development Programme and convener of the COVID Education Alliance, Dr. Veerle Vanderweerd, and Bo Stjerne Thomsen, Vice-President and Chair of Learning Through Play at the LEGO Foundation, talk about redesigning the traditional education system with technology. They also address the need to approach learning as an active, engaging, joyful and stimulating activity.