How can you use external frameworks to improve CSR reporting?

2 Why use external frameworks?

Using external frameworks can help you improve your CSR reporting in several ways. First, they can help you identify the most relevant and material issues for your business and your stakeholders, and provide you with indicators and metrics to measure and report them. Second, they can help you align your CSR reporting with the international norms and standards, and demonstrate your compliance and commitment to them. Third, they can help you increase the credibility and comparability of your CSR reporting, by ensuring that you follow a consistent and transparent methodology, and that you use external assurance or verification when possible.

3 How to choose external frameworks?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing external frameworks for your CSR reporting. You need to consider several factors, such as your industry, your size, your goals, your audience, and your resources. You also need to be aware of the different features and requirements of each framework, and how they complement or overlap with each other. For example, some frameworks are more comprehensive and flexible, such as the GRI, while others are more specific and prescriptive, such as the SASB. Some frameworks are more focused on the financial aspects of CSR, such as the IIRC, while others are more focused on the social and environmental aspects, such as the UNGC.

4 How to use external frameworks?

Once you have chosen the external frameworks that suit your needs and expectations, you need to follow their guidance and instructions to use them effectively. This may involve conducting a materiality assessment to determine the most significant CSR issues for your business and stakeholders, setting objectives, targets, and strategies, collecting, analyzing, and disclosing data using the framework's indicators or metrics, seeking external assurance or verification of your CSR report using the framework's criteria or standards, and engaging with stakeholders to solicit feedback on your CSR report and performance. All of these steps should be taken in accordance with the framework's principles or goals, reporting format or structure, criteria or standards, and channels or platforms.