This document provides an overview of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework for sustainability reporting. It defines CSR as how companies manage their operations and impacts on society. Sustainability reporting measures organizational commitment to sustainable development through ongoing data collection and stakeholder communication. The GRI was created in 1999 as an international framework providing guidelines for sustainability reporting, including categories and aspects for standard disclosures to reference governance and environmental/social performance.

1. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
AND GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVE:
A BRIEF OVERVIEW
Dario Belluomini
Master's degree in Development Economics
University of Florence

2. Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR)
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Definition: CSR is about how companies
manage the business processes to produce an
overall positive impact on society.
Companies need to answer to two aspects of
their operations:
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The quality of their management, both in terms of
people and processes (the inner circle);
–
The nature of, and quantity of their impact on
society in the various areas.
Dario Belluomini - University of Florence

3. Sustainability Report
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What is it? An organizational report providing
information over economic, social and
environmental performance of a firm.
Is it compulsory? Realized on a voluntary basis.
When and where was it created? In the late '80
in the USA. Nowadays, realized by an
increasing number of firms of various sectors.
Dario Belluomini - University of Florence

4. Sustainability Report
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What is its aim? Used for measuring an
organization's commitment to sustainable
development in such a way to show that to the
stakeholders.
How is it evaluated? Sustainability performance
is monitored on an ongoing basis, by means of
data collection, feedbacks, communications,
analysis of risks, opportunities and
environmental effects.
Dario Belluomini - University of Florence

5. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
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What is it? A framework containing the
guidelines for sustainability reporting.
When and where was it created? In 1999 at
international level.
Dario Belluomini - University of Florence

6. GRI Guidelines
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Presented in two parts: “Implementation
Manual” and “Reporting Principles and
Standard Disclosures”.
They contain various categories and aspects.
Used for offering an international reference for
all those interested in the disclosure of
governance approach and of the enviromental
and social performance and impact of firms.
Dario Belluomini - University of Florence

7. More on these topics
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On CSR:
www.eubusiness.com/topics/social/corporate-social-responsibility-in-the-eu/
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On GRI:
www.globalreporting.org
Dario Belluomini - University of Florence