GRI: New climate standards unlock streamlined reporting on impacts
Recognizing that an escalating climate crisis calls for integrated and global solutions, GRI has launched new Climate Change and Energy Standards to empower organizations to take accountability for their impacts and accelerate climate action.
- GRI 102: Climate Change emphasizes that achieving substantial reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is the primary mitigation step organizations can take. It sets reporting expectations based on science-based targets and global climate goals – while incorporating ‘just transition’ metrics covering impacts on workers, local communities and Indigenous Peoples.
- GRI 103: Energy comprehensively addresses an organization’s energy-related impacts and activities. With disclosures on decarbonization efforts, renewable and non-renewable energy use, as well as where and how energy reductions occur, it positions responsible energy use as a central component of a company’s approach to climate change mitigation.
Crucially, both standards are based on scientific and authoritative global instruments on climate change and fully aligned with the GHG Protocol. This streamlines reporting for companies while ensuring decision-useful and highly relevant information that meets the needs of a wide range of stakeholders.
Announcing the new Standards at a launch event during London Climate Action Week, GRI CEO Robin Hodess said:
'Climate change is a deeply human issue, as much as it is an environmental one, and these new GRI Standards are unique in bringing these dimensions together. GRI 102 and 103 will enable transparency and action on climate and energy impacts that drives decision-making by companies, regulators, investors and other stakeholders. It is also significant that GRI 102 and IFRS S2 are complementary, and can be used together to disclose climate-related impacts, risks and opportunities. The result is sustainability reporting that supports real world solutions to one of our greatest challenges.'
The GRI Standards are set by the Global Sustainability Standards Board. Carol Adams, Chair of GSSB, said:
'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, an essential precursor to understanding related risks and opportunities. By supporting organizations to disclose their climate change impacts in a comprehensive and comparable way, including the impacts of transition and adaptation plans, GRI 102 and 103 have a key role in the advancement of a cohesive and effective global system for climate reporting.'
Pankaj Bhatia, Co–Director at GHG Protocol (WRI), said:
'GRI’s alignment with the GHG Protocol reinforces a clear message: organizations don’t have to choose between standards. By using a common foundation for emissions data, companies can meet global reporting needs efficiently and consistently. This interoperability helps reduce duplication, increase transparency, and accelerate meaningful climate action. We’re proud to support this step toward a more streamlined, impactful disclosure ecosystem.'
A newly-published joint statement sets out how GRI 102 and the IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures can be used together. This includes confirmation by the GSSB that organizations can use equivalent disclosures in IFRS S2 on Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions to meet corresponding requirements in GRI 102, providing they measure their GHG emissions in accordance with the GHG Protocol and reference the location of the disclosure in their GRI content index.
Sue Lloyd, Vice Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board, (ISSB) said:
'We welcome the publication of GRI’s new Climate Change and Energy Standards. We are working together with the GRI to enhance the interoperability and efficiency of reporting using our respective standards. In this regard, we are delighted that the GRI have granted equivalence to IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures for disclosures of GHG emissions under GRI 102. This will enable companies to prepare just one set of GHG emissions disclosures in accordance with IFRS S2, to meet the requirements in both standards. Beyond this, the two standards can be used together assisting preparers in providing information to investors and a broader range of stakeholders about their climate-related impacts, risks, and opportunities in an efficient manner.'
GRI 102: Climate Change 2025 builds on and replaces key disclosures from GRI 305: Emissions 2016 and GRI 201: Economic Performance 2016. Meanwhile, GRI 103: Energy 2025 substantially updates and will supersede GRI 302: Energy 2016.
A launch event in London on 26 June brought together a wide range of senior leaders and key stakeholders. Discussions focused on the next generation of climate reporting, and how the GRI Climate Change and Energy Standards enable organizations to address climate-related impacts, align with global frameworks, and meet stakeholder needs.
