The Ins and Outs of GRI Sector Standards
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), one of the world’s leading sustainability standards, has recently released the Mining Sector Standard to join the already released standards for the Oil and Gas, Coal, Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing industries. The aim is to release 40 sector-specific standards, with the release (of these Sector Standards) to be prioritised by their impact.
The intent is for these Sector Standards to work alongside the revised Universal Standards and the individual Topic Standards to provide an overall improvement in reporting transparency and consistency.
So, what do you need to know about the GRI Sector Standards?
Below we have summarised 5 key take-aways for you to get started in your reporting journey:
Objective: The GRI Sector Standards aim to provide a holistic approach to managing the impacts of industries in a transparent and industry recognised standard. These standards are intended to provide users in these industries clarity on their likely material topics based on their areas of impact.
GRI Structure & Materiality: The GRI Sector Standards sit between the Universal Standards and the Topic Standards (refer to Figure 1 further below). Organisations are encouraged to use the Sector Standards that apply to them to identify their likely material topics and what to report. For example, the Mining Sector Standard outlines 25 likely material topics and uses the relevant Topic Standards to guide expected disclosure with the addition of sector-specific reporting recommendations. To account for variance between organisations, you are still required to assess their material topics in accordance with GRI 3 using the Sector Standard only as guidance. This process can omit topics from the Sector Standard or include additional ones not identified by the Sector Standard, as long as the organisation can explain why.
Reporting Disclosures: For each identified material topic, organisations are required to use the GRI Sector Standards to identify reporting requirements, split up into the management of the topic (materiality and risk) and Topic Standard disclosures (performance metrics). Each likely material topic has a reporting sub-section that includes disclosures from the GRI Topic Standards and additional sector disclosures and recommendations for the organisation to report. The sector recommendations are intended for organisations to provide sufficient information so stakeholders can make informed assessments and decisions on the material risks. For this reason, sector recommendations are suggested but not required.
GRI Content Index: GRI Sector Standard reference numbers are included for all Topic Standard disclosures listed in the Sector Standards. When preparing the GRI Content Index for sustainability reporting, organisations are also required to include the associated reference number to help users identify where these are applicable to the Sector Standard.
What Impacts to Assess? The GRI states that organisations' operations can have positive or negative impacts on the economy, environment, and people. As such, when conducting materiality assessments, the Sector Standards state organisations should consider the impacts of both their activities and business relationships. For example:
Mining activities – impacts an organisation can vary according to the type of mining activities, including prospecting and exploration, development, mining, closure and rehabilitation, transportation, storage, and sales and marketing.
Business relationships – these include business partners, entities directly linked to the organisations and others indirectly in its value chain, such as joint ventures, suppliers, and customers.
Figure 1 Source: Global Reporting Initiative
The GRI Sector Standards represent a comparable and transparent reporting tool for organisations to identify the topics likely to be material to them and guide them towards comprehensive reporting. As with all additions to the GRI, it will take time for these changes to come into effect in reporting (GRI Mining Sector Standard is effective 1 January 2026).
How do I get started?
If you need assistance with understanding how these standards affect your organisation or knowing what to do next, talk to Greenbase. With over 20 years of environmental and sustainability reporting experience, we are here to guide you and assist you with navigating reporting changes and updates.
Greenbase. Makes Sense.