Analysts at 17 leading socially responsible investment firms along with Intel Corp.'s director of corporate responsibility, Dave Stangis, yesterdayurged companies to adopt the Global Reporting Initiative sustainability reporting guidelines on corporate governance, environmental, labor, social and other issues. They recommend companies report annually on their policies, practices and performance in these areas.
Intel has been using GRI guidelines for about five years and has become fully compliant with the GRI standards this year, said Mr. Stangis.
According to a joint statement from the group - a project of the Social Investment Forum's International Working Group and the Social Investment Research Analysts Network - the GRI guidelines offer a reporting standard that is comparable and credible, alerting companies and investors to risk and performance opportunities based on sustainability issues.
Global Reporting Initiative Chief Executive Ernst Ligteringen noted that five other U.S. companies are in full compliance with GRI guideline, and 60 U.S. companies use GRI guidelines to some extent. Globally, some 600 companies use GRI guilelines, with about 10% in full accord.
The 17 investment firms include Calvert Group, Christian Brothers Investment Services, Domini Social Investments, ISIS Asset Management and Walden Asset Management.
