GRI study plan
GRI · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
GRI Standards and the reporting process (GRI 1: Foundation)
Map the architecture and purpose of the GRI Standards, including how GRI 1 relates to GRI 2, GRI 3, and the Topic Standards
Distinguish mandatory requirements from recommendations and guidance when reading a Standard
Apply the reporting principles in GRI 1 to short scenario decisions
Define key reporting terms such as impact, material topic, and reporting boundary in your own words
Your checkpoint
One-page Standards architecture map plus a 20-question self-quiz with at least 80% correct answers and a written correction note for every missed item
GRI Standards and the reporting process (GRI 1: Foundation) & General disclosures (GRI 2)
Outline the disclosure structure of GRI 2 and classify each disclosure by purpose
Identify the governance, strategy, and stakeholder disclosures an organization must report
Draft entity profile and reporting practice disclosures for a fictional organization
Check a draft set of universal disclosures against a completeness checklist
Your checkpoint
Completed GRI 2 universal disclosure checklist for a fictional company, with each disclosure marked complete, missing, or not applicable and a one-sentence justification
General disclosures (GRI 2)
Prepare a stakeholder engagement approach that identifies stakeholder groups and engagement channels
Explain how governance bodies oversee impact management and sustainability reporting
Draft disclosures on ethics, compliance, and responsible business conduct
Evaluate sample governance disclosures for clarity and completeness
Your checkpoint
Stakeholder map and stakeholder engagement log template covering at least six stakeholder groups, plus a reviewed draft of three GRI 2 governance disclosures
Material topics (GRI 3)
Define material topics and explain how they are determined under GRI 3
Apply the materiality assessment steps to a fictional organization
Assess actual and potential impacts by severity, scale, scope, and likelihood
Prioritize a shortlist of material topics and justify each ranking
Your checkpoint
Materiality assessment matrix with eight candidate topics, scoring rationale, and a ranked shortlist of five material topics
Topic Standards: economic, environmental and social
Compare the economic Topic Standards and select the disclosures relevant to a scenario
Apply key environmental Topic Standards to energy, water, emissions, and waste scenarios
Calculate or interpret representative metrics from sample data
Draft report-ready disclosure text for two environmental topics
Your checkpoint
Mini report section covering one economic and two environmental Topic Standards, including selected disclosures, sample metrics, and management approach notes
Topic Standards: economic, environmental and social
Distinguish the social Topic Standards covering labor, human rights, health and safety, and community impacts
Map a fictional organization's activities to the most relevant social Topic Standards
Draft disclosures for employee, health and safety, and community topics
Review draft social disclosures for balance, accuracy, and completeness
Your checkpoint
Social disclosure table linking four social Topic Standards to selected disclosures, supporting data sources, and a peer-review checklist
Sector Standards and applying the Standards in practice
Identify the purpose and structure of GRI Sector Standards
Determine which sector-specific disclosures apply to a chosen industry scenario
Integrate sector disclosures with universal and topic disclosures
Assess common practical challenges such as boundary setting, data gaps, and restatements
Your checkpoint
Sector gap analysis for one industry, showing applicable sector disclosures, current gaps, and an action plan for closing each gap
GRI Standards and the reporting process (GRI 1: Foundation) & General disclosures (GRI 2) & Material topics (GRI 3) & Topic Standards: economic, environmental and social & Sector Standards and applying the Standards in practice
Assemble a condensed sustainability report outline that integrates all five domains
Answer mixed-topic practice questions under timed conditions
Diagnose weak areas using an error log and revisit the relevant Standards
Explain how the Standards work together from foundation through sector application
Your checkpoint
Timed 60-question mixed mock exam scored at least 75%, plus an error log with corrected explanations for every missed question
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain the purpose of GRI 1 and list the main GRI 2 disclosure areas without notes, scoring at least 80% on the week 1-2 self-quiz
Week 4: Can complete a materiality assessment from candidate topics to a justified ranked shortlist, with each step traceable to GRI 3
Week 6: Can select relevant economic, environmental, and social Topic Standards for a scenario and draft compliant disclosure text for each
Week 8: Achieves at least 75% on the timed mixed mock exam and has a closed correction note for every missed question