However, while AI is becoming exceptionally powerful at processing information, identifying patterns, generating content, and automating repetitive tasks, one critical challenge remains:

AI still depends heavily on human intelligence (HI) for context, judgement, ethics, strategic direction, critical thinking, governance, and decision-making.

The organisations and professionals who will create the greatest value in the future are therefore unlikely to rely on AI alone. Instead, they will combine:

HI + AI = Better Decisions, Better Outcomes, Greater Value

Human intelligence provides:

• strategic judgement,
• ethical reasoning,
• creativity,
• systems thinking,
• governance,
• stakeholder understanding,
• and the ability to define what truly matters.

Artificial intelligence provides:

• speed,
• scale,
• analytical capability,
• automation,
• pattern recognition,
• and information-processing power.

When combined effectively, HI + AI can create extraordinary value:

• for businesses,
• for stakeholders,
• and for the planet.

This is particularly important in sustainability and ESG-related decision-making, where organisations increasingly face interconnected environmental, social, governance, financial, operational, and reputational challenges across complex value chains.

AI can help process information.

But humans still need to determine:

• what matters,
• what risks are significant,
• what opportunities should be prioritised,
• what trade-offs are acceptable,
• and how long-term value should be created responsibly.

In other words, the future increasingly belongs not simply to people who can use AI, but to professionals who can combine human intelligence and AI to create meaningful, defensible, long-term value.

Why ESG and Sustainability Skills Are Becoming Increasingly Valuable

Many professionals still view sustainability as primarily a reporting or compliance exercise.

In reality, sustainability increasingly sits at the centre of:

• governance,
• strategy,
• risk management,
• resilience,
• procurement,
• finance,
• stakeholder trust,
• and long-term competitiveness.

Modern organisations increasingly need professionals who can:

• understand impacts, risks, and opportunities,
• think across the value chain,
• support better decision-making,
• manage complexity,
• and create long-term value responsibly.

These capabilities are becoming increasingly important because organisations are under growing pressure from:

• regulators,
• investors,
• customers,
• lenders,
• employees,
• and supply-chain partners.

The ability to analyse and respond to these pressures intelligently is becoming a major professional advantage.

Sustainability Reporting Is Not Just About Disclosure

One of the biggest misconceptions about sustainability reporting is that it is mainly about producing reports.

In reality, high-quality sustainability reporting helps organisations:

• identify what matters most,
• understand impacts across the value chain,
• improve governance,
• strengthen resilience,
• support capital allocation decisions,
• capture opportunities,
• manage risks,
• and build stakeholder trust.

When applied correctly, sustainability reporting becomes a strategic decision-making tool.

This is precisely the philosophy behind the:

GRI Reporting Programme: From Understanding to Implementation

The programme focuses not only on understanding sustainability standards, but on learning how to apply them in ways that create real-world value.

Participants learn how to:

• identify material impacts, risks, and opportunities,
• apply double materiality,
• think strategically across the value chain,
• support governance and decision-making,
• improve stakeholder transparency,
• and contribute to long-term value creation.

Importantly, the programme focuses heavily on practical implementation rather than theoretical knowledge alone.

Because in today’s AI-driven world, knowledge alone is increasingly insufficient.

The real differentiator is the ability to apply knowledge intelligently.

Creating Value for the Business, Stakeholders, and the Planet

The “From Understanding to Implementation” approach is built around a simple but powerful idea:

Effective sustainability practices should create value simultaneously for:

• the business,
• stakeholders,
• and the planet.

Value for the business includes:

• better decisions,
• improved resilience,
• stronger governance,
• operational efficiencies,
• innovation,
• improved risk management,
• and long-term competitiveness.

Value for stakeholders includes:

• trust,
• transparency,
• stronger relationships,
• responsible business practices,
• and more sustainable value chains.

Value for the planet includes:

• reducing negative impacts,
• protecting natural systems,
• improving resource efficiency,
• and supporting long-term environmental stability.

This balanced approach is increasingly important because long-term business success and environmental stability are deeply interconnected.

Without resilient businesses there can be no lasting prosperity.

Without functioning ecosystems there can be no lasting economy.

Beyond Certification

Professional certifications remain valuable and can help professionals strengthen credibility and differentiate themselves.

However, the greatest long-term value comes from developing practical capability.

The professionals who will remain indispensable in an AI-driven future are those who can:

• think critically,
• understand complexity,
• combine HI + AI intelligently,
• communicate clearly,
• support governance,
• and translate knowledge into meaningful action.

Certification may open the door.

But the ability to create value is what ultimately makes professionals indispensable.

Simon Pitsillides
Simon Pitsillides is a board adviser specialising in sustainability governance, corporate reporting, strategy and stakeholder value creation. He supports boards and senior executives in strengthening governance, enhancing decision-making and integrating sustainability into long-term business strategy.
Simon is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM), a Fellow of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (FISEP), a Chartered Marketer, and holds an MBA in Marketing. He is also a GRI and ISEP Certified Trainer.
As Founder of FBRH Consultants and publisher of SustainCase, Simon combines strategic, commercial and governance expertise with extensive international experience in sustainability reporting, assurance readiness and value creation. He has worked with multinational organisations, financial institutions and public sector bodies across Europe, the Middle East and beyond.
Simon is recognised for helping boards move beyond compliance by using decision-useful sustainability information to strengthen strategy, manage risk, build stakeholder confidence and create long-term value for business, stakeholders and the planet.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-pitsillides

The post The AI Future Belongs to Professionals Who Can Create Value appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

Thousands of companies now publish reports. Yet very few of them influence real decisions.

Most reports describe activities.
Very few shape strategy.

And that is the problem.

Because a sustainability report is not an end in itself.
It is a tool for identifying what truly matters. Your most significant impacts, risks, and opportunities—and for guiding decisions that create value for:

• The business
• Stakeholders
• The planet

If your report does not do this, it is not just ineffective—it is a missed opportunity.

Where Companies Go Wrong

In our work with organisations across sectors and geographies, we consistently see the same challenges:

• Reporting treated as a compliance or communications exercise
• Materiality assessments done superficially or too late
• Lack of connection between value chain → impacts → decisions
• Over-reporting on immaterial topics, under-reporting on critical ones
• Reports that cannot withstand external assurance scrutiny

The result?

Reports that look polished—but do not drive value, strategy, or competitive advantage.

What First-Class Reporting Looks Like

A first-class sustainability report is built on one foundation:

Value chain–based double materiality

This means:

• Understanding your full value chain
• Identifying where you create—or erode—value
• Assessing:
  • Impacts (on society and environment)
  • Risks and opportunities (for the business)

And translating this into:

• Clear priorities
• Defensible decisions
• Strategic actions

In this context, reporting becomes:

A decision-making system, not a disclosure exercise.

From Theory to Action — The Missing Link

Many professionals understand the GRI Standards.

Far fewer know how to apply them in practice.

The gap is not knowledge.
It is execution.

What is needed is a clear plan of action:

• What decisions need to be made?
• What actions need to be taken?
• What evidence needs to be collected?
• What exactly needs to be reported?

Without this structure, even experienced teams struggle.

The Hidden Weakness — Poor Decision-Making Structures

One of the most critical—and least discussed—reasons sustainability reporting fails is not technical.

It is structural.

Most organisations do not have decision-making systems designed to handle sustainability.

1. Sustainability Is Not Embedded in Decision Rights

In many organisations:

• Sustainability is assigned to a team, not embedded across functions
• Operational teams are not accountable for sustainability-related impacts
• Data is collected—but ownership of decisions is unclear

As a result:

Sustainability becomes everyone’s responsibility—and no one’s decision.

2. Senior Decision-Makers Are Not Mandated to Act

At board and executive level, a more serious issue emerges:

• Sustainability is often presented, but not decided upon
• There is no requirement to:
  • Evaluate impacts, risks, and opportunities
  • Prioritise them
  • Take documented decisions

In many cases, sustainability appears on the agenda—but:

There is no mandate to act, no structured decision process, and no accountability for outcomes.

This creates a critical gap between information and action.

3. Data Collection Without Decision Use

Organisations invest heavily in:

• Data collection
• KPIs
• Reporting systems

But without a decision-making framework:

• Data remains descriptive
• Insights are not translated into action
• Reporting becomes an output exercise, not a management tool

4. The Consequence: Weak, Non-Defensible Decisions

When decision structures are weak:

• Materiality assessments lack rigour
• Priorities are unclear or inconsistent
• Trade-offs are not explicitly evaluated
• Decisions cannot be defended under scrutiny (investors, regulators, assurance providers)

In today’s environment, this is a serious risk.

Because sustainability is no longer voluntary positioning—it is increasingly tied to:

• Regulation
• Capital allocation
• Reputation
• Legal exposure

5. What Strong Decision-Making Looks Like

To deliver real value, organisations need to move from informal discussion to structured decision-making.

This means:

• Embedding sustainability into decision rights across the value chain
• Requiring senior decision-makers to:
  • Review material impacts, risks, and opportunities
  • Make explicit, documented decisions
• Linking data collection directly to:
  • Decisions
  • Actions
  • Accountability

At its core:

Sustainability reporting must be designed to support decisions—not just disclosures.

This is why value chain–based double materiality is so powerful.

It does not just identify what matters.

It creates the foundation for clear, structured, and defensible decision-making across the organisation.

A Practical Pathway to First-Class Reporting

To address this gap, we have developed a structured pathway:

GRI Reporting Programme: From Understanding to Implementation

This is not a theoretical course.

It is a working system that enables participants to begin reporting from day one.

What makes it different:

• Built around a step-by-step Plan of Action
• Fully aligned with the GRI Standards
• Focused on value chain–based double materiality
• Designed to support:
  • Real decisions
  • Real outputs
  • Assurance-ready reporting

Every component is practical:

• Group exercises
• Templates
• Handouts

All mapped directly to the plan of action—so participants always know:

what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.

What You Will Be Able to Do

By following the full pathway, participants are able to:

• Identify and prioritise material impacts, risks, and opportunities
• Conduct a robust double materiality assessment
• Structure a report that is:
  • Strategically relevant
  • Decision-useful
  • Assurance-ready
• Avoid over-reporting and focus on what truly matters
• Deliver value to:
  • The business
  • Stakeholders
  • The planet

In a world of increasing complexity, scrutiny, and competition:

Sustainability reporting is becoming a defensibility tool.

AI can generate content.
But it cannot defend decisions.

That requires:

• Clear logic
• Robust methodology
• Evidence-based prioritisation

That is what first-class reporting delivers.

Simon Pitsillides
Simon Pitsillides is a board adviser specialising in sustainability governance, corporate reporting, strategy and stakeholder value creation. He supports boards and senior executives in strengthening governance, enhancing decision-making and integrating sustainability into long-term business strategy.
Simon is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM), a Fellow of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (FISEP), a Chartered Marketer, and holds an MBA in Marketing. He is also a GRI and ISEP Certified Trainer.
As Founder of FBRH Consultants and publisher of SustainCase, Simon combines strategic, commercial and governance expertise with extensive international experience in sustainability reporting, assurance readiness and value creation. He has worked with multinational organisations, financial institutions and public sector bodies across Europe, the Middle East and beyond.
Simon is recognised for helping boards move beyond compliance by using decision-useful sustainability information to strengthen strategy, manage risk, build stakeholder confidence and create long-term value for business, stakeholders and the planet.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-pitsillides

The post Why Most Sustainability Reports Fail — and How to Turn Them into Strategic Decision-Making Tools appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

Today I’m joined by Paul Broekhof, **Director of Education at the Global Reporting Initiative.

GRI is not only the global pioneer of sustainability reporting which is currently used by over 78% of the largest 250 global companies — it is also a co-constructor of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, the ESRS.

Paul leads GRI’s global education and certification programmes, including the GRI-certified ESRS pathway that leads to the title “GRI Certified ESRS Sustainability Professional.”

Today we’ll talk about how ESRS learning is designed to stay robust despite regulatory change, and what that means for professionals deciding whether now is the right time to start.

Paul, welcome — it’s great to have you with us.

Simon Pitsillides: ESRS is still evolving. How has GRI designed its learning so it stays robust even when the regulation itself continues to change?

Paul Broekhof: Hi Simon, thank you for having me on your podcast.

We designed the certification program for reporting with the ESRS in 2024. Looking at what was ahead, looking at the challenges that so many companies would be facing once they were obligated to start reporting with the ESRS, we asked ourselves: how can we best support the thousands of reporters-to-be. Many of them would be new to sustainability reporting, so what should we focus on first? We decided that the best way to start would be to focus on the reporting process, rather than on the content and disclosures of the standards. By “reporting process”, I mean everything from scoping and stakeholder engagement through materiality analysis, data collection, assurance, and ultimately publishing.  After all, reporters spend some time reading the specific datapoints they need to report on and collecting data., but when producing a report for the first time, it is crucial to also understand all the steps involved in the reporting process — and this is where guidance from us can be especially helpful. Once that foundation was in place, we planned to create courses on specific standards, a bit like we have done for some of the GRI Standards. So the idea was always to make learners familiar with the reporting journey, the process, before diving into the details of the standards. This design choice has proven to be very robust, because, as you well know, in February 2025, the Omnibus proposal was published. It proposed a lot of changes to the CSRD and the ESRS, but these changes hardly touched upon the actual reporting process.

SP: GRI often describes ESRS learning as process-based rather than version-dependent. What does that actually mean in practice for professionals on the ground?

PB: Indeed, the ESRS training courses are based on the reporting process. That means that anyone who is or will be involved in reporting with the ESRS for their own company or for their clients will build a solid and practical foundation by taking our ESRS certification program. To give you two examples, the ESRS course on stakeholder engagement is relevant to the ESRS reporting process, regardless of which elements of the Omnibus proposal are accepted by the EU and its member countries. Even though different reporting standards may use slightly different definitions of stakeholders, the practice and principles of stakeholder engagement apply to all of them, not only to ESRS reporting but also to reporting with the GRI standards. It is a pretty generic skill to have.

A second example is the ESRS course on double materiality. It is one of the core concepts of the ESRS, and it basically means that when looking at sustainability matters, for example climate change, one should not only look at how climate change affects the company and its investors financially, let’s say the financial angle, but also at how the company itself affects climate change and what impacts it has on its stakeholders, which is the impact angle. That concept is still at the core of ESRS reporting and will be long after the dust around the proposed changes to the ESRS is settled, even if some technicalities do end up changing in the amended ESRS

So even if specific datapoints or thresholds change following the Omnibus proposal, having the skills to perform solid stakeholder engagement and materiality assessment doesn’t become obsolete – they’re transferable across reporting instruments and over time.

SP: What are the core skills and ways of thinking that ESRS learning is really trying to build, beyond just understanding the standards themselves?

PB: Well, as you know, GRI has played an important role in the creation of the ESRS. Much of what characterizes the GRI Standards has been adopted in the ESRS. Sustainability reporting is our core business, so to speak, so that is what we cover in our courses. As I mentioned earlier, the ESRS are based on double materiality. Our training course on double materiality will give the learners a solid and much-needed understanding of what double materiality is and how it applies not only to the ESRS but also to regions of the world where the IFRS Sustainability Standards, are being introduced. In today’s world, sustainability reporting is about impact and financial materiality and anyone involved in sustainability reporting should be aware of the different reporting tools for both.

Now, double materiality may be a core aspect of the ESRS, but we cover a lot more in the ESRS certification program. We tried to cover every aspect of the reporting process, and  that is how we came up with a program, of six courses. It starts with a quick introduction to the CSRD and the ESRS, then moving on to stakeholder engagement, double materiality assessment, and data collection. That last one, the data collection course is the one where we really dive into some of the reporting standards themselves, like E1, about climate change, S2, about workers in the value chain and G1 which is about Business Conduct.

But we also included a course on preparing for external assurance. The required level of external assurance was changed through the Omnibus proposal (now organizations need to prepare for limited assurance only), but the fact that external assurance must be done has not changed. Assurance is likely to be something new for first-time sustainability reporters, and this course prepares them for it.

The last course I want to mention is the digital reporting course, which covers another generic concept. Of course, the concept of digital sustainability reporting is not unique to the ESRS, but it is a recent development that many reporters still have to wrap their heads around. Many reporters are still unclear what terms like XBRL, or taxonomy mean. This course explains very clearly what digital reporting is and what it means for the reporting profession, what it looks like today and what we can expect in the future.

I want to emphasize that we have made all ESRS courses as practical as possible by including case studies and taking examples from real reporting practice. We followed the same approach as we do with all our training courses: focusing on the practice of sustainability reporting.

SP: When guidance evolves or updates are issued, how does GRI ensure continuity for learners already in certified ESRS pathways?

(note: we are already informing learners that they will be able to join a free FBRH led half day workshop which will be focused on any updates)

PB: Until December last year, the Omnibus proposal was still very much under discussion and it was still unclear what elements were going to be adopted. Of course, the proposal itself was important enough for course participants to be aware of, so we included a section on the Omnibus proposal in all our ESRS certification courses. We updated that section every time we learned that specific elements of the proposal had been agreed upon by the EU. Behind the scenes, the team that develops these courses is continuously tracking the Omnibus discussions to make sure that what ends up in the courses aligns with the reality of the CSRD and the ESRS as it develops.

By now, January 2026, the discussion of the Omnibus proposal has been completed and it is clear which of the proposed changes to CSRD are adopted. These changes will be reflected in the next update on the training courses, and all our students who bought a seat on the ESRS courses will be given access to the updated versions. But, because most of the proposed changes were about CSRD scope and the reporting timelines, and not about the reporting concepts or process, I am confident that the course updates that we will need to make will be quite limited.

BTW, I know that you run short, free workshops on updates to the ESRS for your own course participants. That is also is great way of keeping learners informed of what is going on.

SP: For professionals wondering whether now is the right time to start ESRS learning, what reassurance would you give them?

PB: That is a very good question. One outcome of the Omnibus proposal is that the reporting obligations for wave 2 and wave 3 companies have been delayed by two years. It would be a mistake to conclude that if your company is part of wave 2 or wave 3, you can sit back and relax for another two years. What we hear consistently from companies that have started to prepare for reporting under the CSRD, is that they underestimated the effort to have their staff trained and the controls in place that are needed for a proper reporting process. Consistently, their advice is to start early with preparations and go through the full reporting process well before the deadline. Use the two years you have been given to prepare, so that when you have to submit your first report, you can be confident that the process will run smoothly.

So, concretely, how should you prepare if you want to start today?

You know that the reporting standards themselves are still under revision, and are expected to be finalized somewhere mid 2026. So I would recommend that professionals start familiarising themselves with the reporting process and not go too deep into the standards yet. The next release of the ESRS will have far fewer datapoints than the initial release, so don’t dive into data-collection details today that may turn out to be irrelevant in the future.

So, focus on the reporting process first. A great way to start is by taking the ESRS certification courses available on the GRI Academy and through some of our certified training partners, like FBRH. That prepares you for the next step, which is to contact one or two peer organizations that have already started their reporting process or have completed the necessary preparations. They can give very practical advice on what your next steps should be. This is a great way to learn from the pitfalls encountered by others. That way, when the revised standards are finalized, you’re not starting from zero, instead, you’re ready to plug them into an established process.

Closing statement by Simon Pitsillides:

The key message here is simple: ESRS isn’t about waiting for certainty — it’s about building capability.
When learning is process-based it stays relevant, even as regulation evolves.

For professionals who want to move forward with confidence rather than hesitation, that’s the difference that matters.

And if you’d like to explore the GRI-certified ESRS pathway offered by FBRH in more detail, you can find more information at www.fbrh.co.uk/esrs.

Paul, thank you — this has been a genuinely valuable conversation.

The post An interview with Paul Broekhof on how ESRS learning stays robust despite regulatory change appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

Revolutionising Access to Certified Sustainability Training

The GRI Certified Training Partner Directory is designed to meet the needs of a global audience. It features an intuitive interface that enables users to locate training partners by region, ensuring that organizations can connect with certified trainers regardless of their geographical location. The directory also includes a dedicated column showcasing the year each organization became a GRI Certified Training Partner, allowing users to assess the experience and longevity of their chosen partner.

FBRH Consultants proudly became one of the first GRI Certified Training Partners in 2015. Over the years, we have consistently set the benchmark for quality training, having delivered sustainability reporting education to some of the world’s largest and most influential companies. Our expertise is reflected in the 200+ glowing reviews from participants who have benefitted from our comprehensive, actionable training sessions.

What Our Participants Say

Our commitment to delivering impactful, practical training is best reflected in the feedback we receive from participants:

• “You can know nothing about GRI Standards, and in 2 days, you will be ready to advise clients or run a reporting project for your company.” — Laurence Cox, Salterbaxter, an MSL Company
• “Thanks for two excellent days of learning how to create a first-class GRI Standard Sustainability Report.” — Anette Brøto Nereng, Head of ESG Reporting & Assurance, KPMG Norway
• “Pleased to share that as of today I am a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional. Great course, thank you for the insights and unique learning path.” — Ting Chaung Ho, S&P Global
• “This course provided a great learning outcome! I now feel well prepared to assist my clients in sustainability reporting.”  — Mari Ziesler Andenæs, BDO Norway
• “Having completed the courses, I feel well equipped to take on the challenge. The course is really well organised and facilitated with good learning materials, practical exercises and excellent discussions.”— Bonnie Griffiths, PwC Belgium
• ““A big thank you for last week’s training. All my training objectives were met.” Johanna Tähtinen, World Business Council for Sustainable Development
• “I highly recommend the class. Not only did I learn how to report on sustainability, but I also got a comprehensive view of how sustainability can be part of a company’s strategy.” — Malgorzata Slawinska, FRONTEX
• “I started this 5-day journey with very little knowledge or idea of how to tackle our company reporting. Having completed the courses, I feel well equipped to take on the challenge. The fact that Simon is available for follow-up questions and advice is an added bonus!” — Anna Cook, CERN HSE Communications

FBRH’s Step-by-Step Approach: Ensuring Actionable Results

At FBRH, our training programs go beyond theory. We deliver a practical, step-by-step plan that equips participants with the tools they need to take immediate action. Our approach ensures that no one leaves our courses without a clear understanding of how to start and complete their sustainability report effectively. This commitment to actionable learning has cemented our reputation as a trusted leader in GRI-certified sustainability training.

Why Choose FBRH for GRI Certified Sustainability Training?

• Experience and Longevity: As one of the first GRI Certified Training Partners, FBRH has consistently delivered top-tier training that aligns with global best practices.
• Global Reach: We cater to a diverse audience with options for both classroom and remote real-time training, making our expertise accessible to participants worldwide.
• Proven Impact: Our 200+ reviews attest to the success of our programs in empowering organizations to produce meaningful sustainability reports.
• Unique Support: FBRH’s training programs are designed to help participants address the unique challenges they face. We focus on conducting materiality assessments throughout the value chain, forming a solid foundation for sustainability and empowering organizations to make informed decisions and shape their sustainability strategy.
• GRI Certified Sustainability professional: At FBRH, we are among a select group of GRI partners licensed to operate globally. Uniquely, FBRH is the only GRI Certified Training Partner that provides a mock exam, empowering participants to excel in the GRI Certification exam.

The Importance of the GRI Certified Training Partner Directory

For organizations embarking on their sustainability journey, finding the right training partner is crucial. The GRI Certified Training Partner Directory simplifies this process by providing a centralised resource that highlights certified partners’ capabilities and credentials. Users can:

• Easily identify partners offering tailored training solutions in their region.
• Select training options that fit their needs, whether in-person or remote.
• Assess the experience of training partners based on their certification date.

This directory is a testament to the commitment of GRI and its partners, like FBRH, to advancing global sustainability practices.

Join FBRH on Your Sustainability Journey

As one of the pioneering GRI Certified Training Partners, FBRH invites you to leverage our expertise and proven methodologies to kickstart or enhance your sustainability reporting efforts. Explore the GRI Certified Training Partner Directory today to find the right partner for your needs, and take the first step towards meaningful, impactful sustainability practices.

For more information on FBRH’s training programs, visit our website or contact us directly. Together, we can build a sustainable future.

The post FBRH: Empowering Sustainability Reporting Through the Global Directory of Certified Training Partners appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

FBRH GRI Certified Sustainability Professional

New Certifications Recognize Quality of FBRH UK’s Training Program  Tweet This!

Prospective GRI Certified Sustainability Professionals now have access to a preparation pathway that is both ISEP approved and CPD certified.

September 7, 2022 – FBRH Consultants, Ltd has received this month approval from the Institute of Environmental Management (ISEP) as well as certification from Continuous Professional Development UK (CPD UK) of its program to prepare professionals to take the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) exam and earn the status GRI Certified Sustainability Professional.

FBRH’s unique program begins with GRI-certified content and adds extensive supplemental exercises, activities to embed learning, and support materials including exclusive templates, case studies and plans for immediate sustainability action to ensure participants not only earn the status – but feel ready to begin reporting immediately.

The GRI sustainability reporting standards are the most popular in the world, with 80% of the world’s largest 250 companies using them for their reports. Most importantly, they are the world’s only complete set of standards that uniquely address all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are the recommended framework for reporting by the UN Global Compact.

Having the right skill set to address the EU Directive for non-financial reporting (CSRD)
GRI is the co-constructor of the EU’s CSRD, the directive for non-financial reporting which will require 55,000 companies to report. With FBRH expert training and guidance, participants who are preparing to become GRI Certified Sustainability professionals can confidently address not only EU directives but also stock exchange ESG rules & regulations and the SDGs.

Sustainability action is about identifying, measuring, managing and changing
Sustainability reporting is an essential tool for businesses to identify their most important impacts and then proceed to create strategy and measure, manage & change. Simon Pitsillides, founder of FBRH said that
“In our world today with a population of more than 7 billion people it has become essential that we embed a culture of sustainability in the majority of businesses worldwide. Our complicated world requires that we are all part of a system that is aware of all negative impacts (environmental, social and economic) and takes action to mitigate these before they become problems, like climate change.”

The main benefits of the FBRH “Full Preparation for the GRI Certified Sustainability Professional Exam” path are:

✓ Designed for busy professionals
✓ 5 days of real time remote learning with multiple scheduling options (classroom options are available for the FBRH GRI Certified reporting course).
✓ Carefully crafted to provide maximum learning value and get professionals reporting ASAP.
✓ FBRH templates, plans for immediate sustainability action and quick reference guides
✓ FBRH mock exam included to ensure maximum preparation for the GRI exam

✓ Available worldwide. FBRH is a GRI Certified Global Training Partner and has delivered training to participants from 6 continents with our engaging realtime remote learning. In-person courses are routinely offered at the London School of Economics and in other global venues by arrangement with corporate clients.

The main benefits of the GRI Certified Sustainability Professional status are:
✓ Improve skills of sustainability professionals: and subsequently the quality of sustainability disclosures and reporting
✓ Provide acknowledgement: way for sustainability professionals to demonstrate knowledge, capability, and competence. All GRI Certified Sustainability Professionals have their names published on the GRI website.
✓ Create credibility and marketability: it is a form of quality assurance for sustainability professionals, improving their marketability
✓ Maintain and upskill knowledge: continuing education will keep sustainability professionals up to date

About FBRH
FBRH Consultants were founded in 2001 and are experts on the GRI Standards and the sustainability reporting process. They are a United Kingdom Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) certified training partner and a CPD UK Provider.

https://fbrh.co.uk/en/gri

Notes to editors:
Media contact: Melina Kourri (Client Relations), melina.kourri@fbrh.co.uk

Key facts about FBRH
● Founded in 2001 and based in London.
● FBRH is the acronym of the definition of the word trust:
FBRH = Firm Belief in Reliability and Honesty.
● Experts in GRI Standards Reporting and Certified Training:
o United Kingdom based Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Certified Training Partner.
o Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) Training Partner.
o Member of CPD UK.
● Expert provider of Sustainability Advisory Services and report assurance
● Trained and/or provided services to some of the biggest companies in the world.
● 150+ reviews provide key insights on the learning value participants gain through certified training.
● Provider of the only GRI Standards Certified Course recognised by both ISEP and CPD.
more information at the link www.fbrh.co.uk

Key facts about the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
● No1 Pioneer of sustainability reporting (since 1997).
● Three hundred- and sixty-degrees sustainability action. With the GRI Standards companies and organisations can address all their important impacts, no matter what they are. The GRI Standards are a flexible, all-round, methodical approach used by some of the world’s most successful companies to take action on Environmental, Economic and Social impacts.
● Globally, only the GRI Standards provide a complete set of standards that uniquely addresses all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainability reporters worldwide do not need to use any other sustainability framework for their report.
● 80% of the world’s largest 250 companies use the GRI Standards for sustainability reporting.
● GRI: Recommended by the UN Global Compact. Under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2010, the UN Global Compact adopts the GRI Standards as the recommended sustainability reporting framework for companies to communicate on progress made.
● GRI is the co-constructor of the CSRD, the EU directive for non financial reporting.

Key facts about the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP)
● Is the largest professional body for environmental practitioners in the United Kingdom and worldwide, with more than 14,000 members in over 100 countries, working together to make businesses and organisations future-proof
● Approves training course providers to deliver environmental training
● Is in the process of applying for a Royal Charter. As a chartered body, ISEP would be formally recognised by the UK Government to develop and regulate the profession (corporate sustainability, environmental management, and impact assessment). If ISEP achieves a Royal Charter, it will become CISEP – the Chartered Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment.
● CPD – Continuing Professional Development is a mandatory requirement to maintain membership
● ISEP Training Partners: ISEP works with training partners to share environmental and sustainability training solutions

Key facts about CPD UK
Established in 1996, The CPD Certification Service is the largest and leading independent CPD accreditation
organisation working across all industry sectors. The CPD Certification Service evaluates further learning activities to the highest standards.
● Over 5000 CPD members which include Cambridge University, King’s College, London Stock Exchange, NHS England and the University of Oxford
● Hundreds of thousands of professionals recognise the CPD Certified symbol as the qualitative benchmark that not only reflects but also sets those standards.
● The CPD Certification Service supports the Continuing Professional Development policies of institutional and professional bodies on an increasingly international basis.
● CPD submissions are assessed and certified against the universally accepted structured checklist which The CPD Certification Service has developed over the past 25 years.
● The certification process takes an impartial and objective overview of structure and value to ensure full conformity to CPD guidelines.

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

The post PRESS RELEASE: New Certifications Recognize Quality of FBRH UK’s Training Program appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

3-day FBRH GRI Standards Certified, ISEP and CIM approved course

We have carefully planned this realtime learning course so that all participants achieve maximum learning value and gain the knowledge to project manage ASAP a first-class GRI Standards sustainability report.

Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and Society and take solid, focused sustainability action that will also benefit your business.

The course will take place during three days (16 training hours):
• 1st day: five training hours
• 2nd day: five training hours
• 3rd day: six training hours

More…

Register
Course Reviews ✭✭✭✭✭
Clients/ companies trained by FBRH
Download interactive course pdf (optimised for desktop)

1-day FBRH GRI Certified “Integrating the SDGs into your reporting process”

The main aim of the GRI Certified course “Integrating the SDGs into your reporting process” is to teach participants the recommended methodology* for choosing the SDGs their business will address with case studies of the best practices in integrating the SDGs into their reporting process.

*A methodology designed by GRI and the UN Global Compact.

More…

Register
Course Reviews ✭✭✭✭✭
Clients/ companies trained by FBRH
Download interactive course pdf (optimised for desktop)

The courses are available to residents of the following countries:

Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

FBRH GRI Standards Certified & ISEP recognised Sustainability Course | Venue: London LSE

By registering for the next 2-day FBRH GRI Standards Certified & ISEP recognised course you will be taking the first step in gaining the many benefits of sustainability reporting.

The post GRI Certified Courses as a real-time remote learning option appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

Two GRI Certified Courses are taking place from Mon 9 – Wed 11 March 2020, which are designed to prepare businesses to start addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, take all round sustainability action ASAP and prepare sustainability reports.

Can I have your comments on this please.

All steps that encourage increased awareness about these issues should be welcomed. Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise wants to be in the lead in this project, as is the case with so many other initiatives around the competitiveness of Icelandic business. A successful approach in this field is just one of the crucial factors regarding competitiveness for the years to come.

SustainCase: How do you think sustainability reporting will help, in practical terms, companies in Iceland achieve business success? Also, how do you think sustainability reporting will impact the economy of Iceland in general?

Sustainable use, waste reduction, better use of resources are critical drivers for success in business-operation in the coming years. Companies that acknowledge these issues and report on how they are doing in this field are more likely to show reliable performance in the future. Excellent performance and increased value-creation of companies are beneficial to all.

SustainCase: There is a growing body of research (Oxford University, Harvard Business School, Mintel, UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing, Morgan Stanley, Nielsen) that suggests companies need to be part of the sustainable economy to survive. Can I have your comment on this?

The sustainable use of natural resources is one of the fundamental elements of the Icelandic economy. For decades, Iceland has been dedicated to a sustainable approach in both its fisheries and energy sectors. By doing so, Iceland has realized not only tremendous economic value for the companies involved but also long-term benefits for the Icelandic economy.

SustainCase: Millennials, the largest generation ever, are overwhelmingly pro-sustainability and are showing this with their every action on a personal level and as decision makers in businesses. Is this also the case in Iceland?

Yes! That is definitely the case here. Consequently, because of the millennial push, older generations are becoming more aware of the importance of changing how we live our lives in this regard—and they are taking action.

SustainCase: What are, in your view, the most important economic, social, and environmental sustainability challenges Iceland faces today?

In Iceland, we are very fortunate in regards to many of these factors. We benefit from very clean water and air, and we are rich in natural resources. Currently, our main challenge is to understand the scope of these challenges on a global scale and increase awareness for the necessary actions. We need to look beyond Iceland. We need to understand and become aware of what is going on globally.

SustainCase: Global warming is, today, the most important challenge to sustainable development. How do you think Icelandic companies can help fight climate change?

Icelandic society is based on the production of sustainable energy.  All of our electricity and heating is from renewable energy sources such as geothermal and hydroelectric. Iceland has participated in the EU´s climate strategy, including ETS since 2008. By doing so, we can hopefully share our experience in the field, and this could lead to fewer emissions across the EU. Additionally, many companies in Iceland are ambitiously striving to become carbon-neutral by minimising waste and by carbon offset through forestry and soil conservation.

Samtök Atvinnulífsins facilitates GRI Certified Sustainability Training in Iceland

Two GRI Certified Courses are taking place in March. A collaboration of Samtök Atvinnulífsins with London based FBRH Consultants and Navigo:

• 2-day FBRH GRI Standards and ISEP approved course (Mon 9 – Tue 10 March 2020)
  This course prepares all participants to project manage a first-class sustainability report and succeed in taking all round sustainability action ASAP.

• 1-day FBRH GRI Certified “Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into your reporting process”
  Participants are taught the recommended methodology for choosing the right SDGs for action and how these can be addressed using the GRI Standards. It is important to note that the GRI Standards are the only sustainability framework that can address all the SDGs.

The post An interview with Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise on sustainability training appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

The benefits of sustainability reporting with the GRI Standards is that stakeholders are consulted to determine the materiality of the report.  Therefore, the information provided in the report is targeted to their interest, emphasizing transparency.  The standards have also resulted in more focused CSR work within the company e.g. to identify improvements for action.

SustainCase: Isavia was the winner of last year’s award by Festa on sustainability reporting. In view of your sustainability reporting journey, is there any advice you can give to companies who are looking to take positive action on the environment, economy and society through sustainability actions and sustainability reporting?

Be focused and choose the materiality well based on the type of business the company is in.  It is very important to connect the work and emphasize in the report to the corporate strategy.  Sustainability actions and reporting should be looked at as a continuous improvement process – just by starting the journey companies are already taking positive actions.

SustainCase: There is a growing body of research (Oxford University, Harvard Business School, Mintel, UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing, Morgan Stanley, Nielsen) that strongly suggests companies need to be part of the sustainable economy to survive. Can I have your comment on this?

There has been a growing demand from our stakeholders for social responsibility.  Customers require companies to be responsible and employees want to work for companies that are responsible.  This trend will only increase with new generations entering the workforce.

SustainCase: Millennials, the largest generation ever, are overwhelmingly pro-sustainability and are showing this with their every action on a personal level and as decision makers in businesses. Is this also the case in Iceland?

Yes, we see the same trend in Iceland.

SustainCase: What are, in your view, the most important economic, social, and environmental sustainability challenges Iceland faces today?

The most important challenge is the effect of climate change and the unforeseen consequences that will have on the life of people.

SustainCase: Global warming is, today, the most important challenge to sustainable development. How do you think Icelandic companies can help fight climate change?

The most important action Icelandic companies can do is reducing and then eliminate carbon emissions from their operation in any way they can and as fast as they can.

Samtök Atvinnulífsins facilitates GRI Certified Sustainability Training in Iceland

Two GRI Certified Courses are taking place in March. A collaboration of Samtök Atvinnulífsins with London based FBRH Consultants and Navigo:

• 2-day FBRH GRI Standards and ISEP approved course (Mon 9 – Tue 10 March 2020)
  This course prepares all participants to project manage a first-class sustainability report and succeed in taking all round sustainability action ASAP.

• 1-day FBRH GRI Certified “Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into your reporting process”
  Participants are taught the recommended methodology for choosing the right SDGs for action and how these can be addressed using the GRI Standards. It is important to note that the GRI Standards are the only sustainability framework that can address all the SDGs.

The post Interview with Hrönn Ingólfsdóttir, Isavia appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

Hvar: Hús Atvinnulífsins

Hvenær: 11 mars 2020

Námskeiðsgjald: £650, þátttakendur á námskeiðinu notkun GRI staðla 9-10 mars fá 10% afslátt . (flest stéttarfélög niðurgreiða námskeið – kannaðu rétt þinn)

GRI staðlarnir eru taldir víðtækustu og nákvæmustu staðlarnir til að halda utan um efnhahagsleg, umhverfisleg og félagsleg áhrif fyrirtækja og stofnanna. UN Global Compact og Nasdaq mæla með að nota staðalana við gerð samfélagsskýrslna. Vinningshafar Samfélagsskýrslu ársins á Íslandi 2018 og 2019 byggðu skýrslur sínar á GRI.

Markmið námskeiðsins er fyrir þátttakendur að dýpka skilning sinn á heimsmarkmiðunum, hvernig hægt er að aðlaga stefnu með sjálfbærni að leiðarljósi og hvernig heimsmarkmiðin geta verið leiðarljós á þeirri vegferð. Farið er yfir hvernig hægt er að styðjast við GRI staðalana í skýrslugjöf um innleiðingu heimsmarkmiðanna og framvindu. Námskeðið er vottað af Global Reporting Initative.

Á námskeiðinu munu þátttakendur fá ýtarlega þekkingu á:

• Hvaða áhrif innleiðing heimsmarkmiðannaí stefnu hafa á skipulagsheildir.
• Hvað heimsmarkmiðin fela í sér, og hvernig þau tengjast sjálfbærni. Farið verður ýtarlega yfir hverng heimsmarkmiðin tengjast GRI stöðlunum, þegar kemur að markmiðssetningu og framvindu á árangri.
• Kynning á GRI og þeirri aðferðafræði sem notuð er við skýrslugjöf, hvað verkfærakista GRI hefur upp á að bjóða, farið verður í fimm praktísk skref GRI við skýrslugjöf.
• Einnig verður farið í raundæmi (case studies) nokkurra fyrirtækja sem sýna hvernig fyrirtæki hafa byrjað innleiðingu heimsmarkmiðanna í skýrslugerð.

Allir þátttakendur fá viðurkenningu frá the Global Reporting Initiative.

Leiðbeinendur

• FBRH ráðgjafar hafa um árabil veitt ráðgjöf í samfélagslegri ábyrgð og þjálfað starfsfólk fyrirtækja víða um heim í notkun GRI staðla við gerð samfélagsskýrslna. FBRH eru vottaðir þjálfunaraðilar af Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) en einnig hafa þeir hlotið viðurkenningu frá Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) í Bretlandi.

Hér má finna lista yfir þau fyrirtæki sem FBRH hefur þjáfað: https://fbrh.co.uk/en/clients-trained-by-fbrh

Skráning: https://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/registration-form-for-sdgs-a-gri-certified-course-iceland

Dagskrá námskeiðsins: https://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/integrating-the-sdgs-into-your-reporting-process-iceland

Námskeiðslýsing: https://www.fbrh.co.uk/FBRH-GRI-Certifed-SDG-Course-Iceland.pdf

Nánari upplýsingar:

Ingibjörg Ösp Stefánsdóttir, s. – tölvupóstur

Ágústa Þorbergsdóttir, s. 899 0088 – tölvupóstur

Melina Kourri (FBRH Client Service Manager) tölvupóstur

The post Hver er besta leiðin við að gera grein fyrir framvindu heimsmarkmiðanna samfélags- og ársskýrslum samkvæmt GRI stöðlum appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

Hvar: Hús Atvinnulífsins

Hvenær: 9 og 10 mars 2020

Námskeiðsgjald: £1300. (flest stéttarfélög niðurgreiða námskeið – kannaðu rétt þinn)

Á námskeiðinu verður farið ýtarlega í samfélagsábyrgð fyrirtækja og skipulagsheilda og mikilvægi þess að axla ábyrgð og hafa uppbyggileg áhrif á umhverfið, stjórnarhætti og samfélagið.

Global Reporting Initiative, eða GRI staðlarnir eru alþjóðlega viðurkenndir staðlar um miðlun upplýsinga um samfélagslega ábyrgð og eru notaðir í yfir 100 löndum. 80% af 250 stærstu fyrirtækjum heims nota GRI staðlana í sinni skýrslugjöf. GRI staðlarnir eru taldir víðtækustu og nákvæmustu staðlarnir til að halda utan um efnhahagsleg, umhverfisleg og félagsleg áhrif fyrirtækja og stofnanna. UN Global Compact og Nasdaq mæla með að nota staðalana við gerð samfélagsskýrslna. Vinningshafar Samfélagsskýrslu ársins á Íslandi 2018 og 2019 byggðu skýrslur sínar á GRI.

Markmið námskeiðsins er fyrir þáttakendur að skilja hvernig hægt er að nýta staðlana sem verkfæri við gerð samfélagsskýrslna.

Á þessu tveggja daga námskeiði munu þátttakendur fá ýtarlega þekkingu á GRI hugmyndafræðinni og læra að gera samfélagsskýrslu sem byggð er á GRI stöðlunum:

• Hvað GRI stendur fyrir og hvernig samfélagsskýrslur eru byggðar á GRI stöðlunum.
• Greina hver áhrif þitt fyrirtæki/skipulagsheild hefur á umhverfið, efnahag og samfélag.
• Hvernig er hægt að nota GRI staðalana til að ná samkeppnisforskoti?
• Hvernig GRI staðlarnir tengjast UN Global Compact, Nasdaq, og heimsmarkmiðum Sameinuðu Þjóðanna?
• Að námskeið loknu munu þátttakendur hafa öðlast þekkingu til að byrja undirbúning samfélagsskýrslu samkvæmt GRI stöðlunum.
• Námskeiðið nýtist sem undirbúningur undir GRI staðla prófið hjá Global Reporting Initiative.

Leiðbeinendur

• FBRH ráðgjafar hafa um árabil veitt ráðgjöf í samfélagslegri ábyrgð og þjálfað starfsfólk fyrirtækja víða um heim í notkun GRI staðla við gerð samfélagsskýrslna. FBRH eru vottaðir þjálfunaraðilar af Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) en einnig hafa þeir hlotið viðurkenningu frá Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) í Bretlandi.

Hér má finna lista yfir þau fyrirtæki sem FBRH hefur þjáfað: https://fbrh.co.uk/en/clients-trained-by-fbrh

Skráning: https://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/2-day-fbrh-gri-standards-certified-training-course-register-now-iceland

Dagskrá námskeiðsins: https://fbrh.co.uk/2-day-GRI-Standards-Certified-course-programme.pdf

Nánari upplýsingar um námskeiðið á ensku: https://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/2-day-fbrh-gri-standards-certified-training-course-about-iceland

Námskeiðslýsing: http://fbrh.co.uk/FBRH-GRI-Standards-Certifed-Course-Iceland.pdf

Nánari upplýsingar:

Ingibjörg Ösp Stefánsdóttir, s. – tölvupóstur

Ágústa Þorbergsdóttir, s. 899 0088 – tölvupóstur

Melina Kourri (FBRH Client Service Manager) – tölvupóstur

The post Vottað námskeið í notkun GRI staðla appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.