Why in the News?
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), in collaboration with the United Nations, has introduced the Integrity Matters Checklist to help companies and investors align their climate disclosures with the UN’s net-zero integrity standards.
About the Integrity Matters Checklist:
- Overview: Created by the GRI in collaboration with the United Nations.
- Purpose: Helps companies and investors align their climate disclosures with the UN’s integrity standards for net-zero commitments.
- Origin: Based on the UN High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) recommendations outlined in the Integrity Matters Report, first released at COP27 (2022) and updated in 2025.
- Framework Integration: Aligns with the GRI 102: Climate Change 2025 Standard, providing a unified structure for sustainability and climate reporting.
- Key Focus Areas: Guides disclosure of climate targets, transition plans, greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction pathways, and just transition principles.
- Operational Aim: Strengthens corporate accountability and ensures commitments are science-based, transparent, and verifiable.
- Endorsements: Supported by the UN Global Compact and the UN Climate Change Secretariat, affirming its role in implementing credible climate governance.
Key Features:
- Science-Based Targets: Encourages reporting consistent with Paris Agreement-aligned decarbonisation pathways.
- Fossil Fuel Phase-Out: Calls for transparent reporting on divestment from fossil fuels and investment in renewables.
- Just Transition Integration: Embeds social inclusion, equity, and worker protection in corporate climate strategies.
- Investor-Ready Information: Produces comparable, decision-useful data for financial institutions and regulators.
- Full GRI Compatibility: Seamlessly integrates with existing GRI standards to avoid duplication in ESG reporting.
- Global Relevance: Applicable to all sectors and geographies, with focus on pre-COP30 adoption and accountability.
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