ABSTRACT
Those who look back at the outcomes of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) with a sense of scepticism tend to underestimate the immensity of the agenda. The sceptics also undervalue the many small but significant events that took place during the preparatory process and the Summit itself. Two such significant events were those of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact (GC) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), both principles-based initiatives that advance an open-learning and communicating-progress approach to corporate responsibility. Under the GC, business leaders have been challenged to enhance shared values for the global market and promote responsible corporate citizenship globally. It is clear that both the UNGC and the GRI have had widespread impact since the seeds of their development were planted in the late 1990s. The mission of the GRI is to develop and disseminate globally applicable sustainability reporting guidelines.
