The latest version of Greenstone’s Enterprise software now includes the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using Greenstone’s CSR Frameworks module, clients can now collect, manage and report data to help them understand their contributions to all 17 of the SDGs. This new feature is mapped and aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)’s G4 framework to enable clients to streamline their non-financial reporting.
What are the SDGs?
The UN General Assembly in September 2015 saw governments from around the world adopt ‘Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. Included in this agenda were 17 sustainable development goals; each focusing on a different global issue such as poverty, hunger, climate, education and gender equality.
A culmination of four years of negotiations, the UN SDGs seek to build on the Millennium Development Goals and stimulate global action over the next 15 years across the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. Within each SDG is a number of targets, 169 in total, that aim to be achieved by 2030.
The role of business
Business has a vital role to play in the 2030 Development Agenda, with organisations required to support, steer and strengthen the efforts of UN Member States. It is therefore essential for businesses around the globe to fully engage in all areas of the 17 SDGs.
To do this, organisations must first measure their current impact through data collection and reporting methods, before being able to take action and improve performance.
SDGs in the CSR Frameworks Module
Greenstone’s clients use the CSR Frameworks module to collect and report on CSR data from across their organisation. Built into the module are a number of reporting frameworks, including GRI G4, to which the UN SDGs are now mapped.
With the GRI providing a linkage document that maps the 17 SDGs with the relevant GRI G4 framework indicators, Greenstone clients can select which SDGs they would like to report on within the software and the associated G4 indicators will be mapped to facilitate streamlined reporting. As the CSR Frameworks module also provides links between GRI G4 and other frameworks such as ISO 26000, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and UN Global Compact, clients can efficiently and effectively report against multiple frameworks in the same process.
CSR Reporting online
Collecting data and reporting on CSR performance has become an integral part of business strategy. With the array of reporting frameworks now available and with a variety of requirements, it can be a complex and daunting process. However, using an online platform for managing CSR information can significantly reduce the burden.
Having a central store of information means reporting teams can pull on information from across the organisation in a timely manner, streamlining the reporting process. An online system also allows deeper analysis of information via built-in analysis functions, allowing quicker identification of potential improvement areas.
All of this, along with automatic mapping of international frameworks, means Greenstone’s clients can ensure that the right CSR data is available and that their complex reporting efforts are as efficient as possible.
Greenstone’s non-financial reporting software is a flexible solution to collect, manage and report all non-financial data across an organisation. Modules include Environment, CSR Frameworks, Health & Safety and SupplierPortal. For more information, or to arrange a demo, please contact us.
As an active supporter of the UN Global Compact, Greenstone promotes engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through Greenstone’s sustainability software solution, users can streamline data collection and gather, manage and report data to help them understand their contributions to all 17 of the UNSDGs
