The Consult

Sustainability is often misunderstood as being solely about impact to the environment, particularly climate change. However, as Jackie Baxley, Principal and EHS&S Practice Leader at HRP Associates, explains, sustainability is like a three-legged stool.

"The three legs are economic, social, and environmental,” says Jackie. “A lot of people just think sustainability is related to carbon, related to climate change, but that’s really just a small piece of a complete sustainability program."

With this broader understanding in mind, and with HRP’s motivation to help clients with their sustainability reporting, Jackie recently earned her Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Certified Sustainability Professional credential. This certificate strengthens HRP’s ability to guide clients through sustainability reporting, ensuring they meet the highest global standards.

What is GRI?

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is an independent, international organization that sets the global standard for sustainability reporting. The GRI framework helps businesses, governments, and organizations understand and communicate their impact on key sustainability issues, including climate change, human rights, and economic performance. Over 78% of the world’s largest 250 corporations report in accordance with GRI Standards, making it the most widely recognized sustainability reporting framework.

"GRI is the framework for sustainability reporting," Jackie emphasizes. "A lot of third-party sustainability assessment sites are aligned with this reporting platform. It includes environmental, economic, and social reporting guidelines or standards for sustainability reporting—everything from climate change to labor."

Why GRI Certification Matters

For HRP, Jackie’s GRI certification represents far more than an individual achievement—it’s a commitment to helping clients navigate the complex landscape of sustainability reporting.

"This certification is all about our clients," Jackie says. "We want to help people with their sustainability reporting. GRI certification is a recognized credential that current and future clients can trust relative to our aiding in their sustainability reporting."

The credential not only establishes a fundamental understanding and application of the GRI framework, but also the application of human rights as expressed through the International Bill of Rights.

“Human rights is a big piece of sustainability reporting,” says Jackie. ‘The credential and testing is not only relative to the GRI framework, but also knowledge and application of the International Bill of Rights and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Connecting the Dots: How GRI Enhances Sustainability Reporting

A major strength of the GRI framework is its foundation on eight core principles—accuracy, balance, clarity, completeness, comparability, context, timeliness, and verifiability. These principles ensure sustainability reports are not only reliable and comprehensive but also easy to understand and evaluate.

“Any sustainability report prepared in accordance with the GRI standard needs to apply these eight reporting principles to their disclosures,” says Jackie Baxley.

With the many third-party assessment platforms available, sustainability reporting can feel fragmented. But GRI offers a common language.

“If you look at these third-party assessment platforms in isolation, they can seem a little disjointed,” Jackie explains. “By understanding the GRI reporting framework, you start to see the common threads. It makes all the other assessments or client requests for information more cohesive.”

This clarity doesn’t just strengthen HRP’s own reporting—it builds trust and enhances the value of services offered to clients.

Looking Ahead

With Jackie’s GRI certification, HRP continues to strengthen its ability to help organizations achieve meaningful, transparent, and effective sustainability reporting. If your organization is looking to improve its sustainability efforts, HRP is ready to guide you through the process with expert insight and trusted experience.

HRP is committed to sharing this expertise with clients and the broader community. Stay tuned for upcoming webinars and training sessions on sustainability reporting and the GRI framework.