CPA Australia is continuing its support of
environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting by Australian
businesses.
A memorandum of understanding signed by CPA
Australia and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) confirmed the
Australian organisation’s support for the GRI’s Australian Focal
Point until 2012.
The focal point gives the GRI a local presence
in Australia to assist organisations in increasing the value of
sustainability reporting. It will assist in harmonising the GRI
with other initiatives such as the United Nations (UN) Global
Compact and the UN Principles for Responsible Investment. The focal
point is also intended to assist in connecting Australian
organisations to the international reporting community.
With the support of the CPA Australia, the GRI
also plans to further develop its regional network and create local
ownership of the GRI’s framework in Australia.
CPA Australia has been a long term supporter
of the GRI and in 2006 became an organisational stakeholder and
voting member of the GRI. In 2008, the organisation produced its
first GRI compliant sustainability report.
GRI chief executive Ernst Ligteringen said
Australia is in the top five countries reporting against the GRI’s
Framework.
“It’s important that we continue to support
reporters in the area. The focal point will assist us in achieving
this,” Ligteringen said.
CPA Australia chief executive Alex Malley said
it makes sense for the institute to continue its support of the
focal point because of its involvement in a number of discussions
and technical developments arising out of the GRI’s transparency
and sustainability conference held in May.
