GRI Professional Certification

As regulatory expectations and stakeholder demands for transparency continue to rise, organizations across all sectors are called to demonstrate the credibility and value of their non-financial performance. Managing and reporting on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts has become an essential part of strategic decision-making.

This GRI-certified training equips participants with the knowledge and practical tools to apply the Global Reporting Initiative Standards effectively. It enables professionals to build robust sustainability reporting processes, strengthen compliance, and enhance the organization’s ability to measure and communicate its impact.

Delivered in partnership with Forethix, an accredited training partner of the Global Reporting Initiative since 2013, this programme combines technical expertise with hands-on experience to help professionals advance their sustainability journey.

At the end of this course participants will:

• Understand the foundations of sustainability reporting and the GRI Standards 2021, including their correspondence with other major frameworks (UN Global Compact, ISO 26000, AA1000, Integrated Reporting, CDP, etc.);

• Learn how to identify and engage stakeholders through structured consultation processes;

• Develop the ability to conduct impact and materiality analyses aligned with GRI requirements;

• Explore the approach to Human Rights reporting within the GRI Standards framework;

• Apply key concepts and principles through case studies and practical exercises, bridging reporting theory and real-world practice;

The certification program is divided into 5 modules:

MODULE 1 – Reporting with the GRI Standards

• Introduction to the GRI Standards structure and underlying principles.

• Understanding sustainability context, stakeholder inclusiveness, and materiality.

• Practical guidance for applying GRI reporting principles and disclosures.

Practical exercise: development of a reporting scheme based on GRI principles.

MODULE 2 – Navigating the GRI Sector Standards

• Applying the GRI Sector Standards to enhance reporting consistency and comparability.

• Identifying sector-specific material topics and disclosures.

• Aligning reporting practices across multiple frameworks (GRI, ESRS, ISSB).

Practical exercise: analysis of a Sector Standard and identification of key indicators to be reported.

MODULE 3 – Reporting on Human Rights with the GRI Standards 2021

• Deep dive into human rights due diligence and disclosure within the GRI framework.

• Identification, management, and reporting of human rights impacts in alignment with international best practices.

Practical exercise: case study on the implementation of duty of care in GRI reporting.

MODULE 4 – Transparency for Tomorrow: Decoding the Sustainability Reporting Landscape

• Overview of the evolving global reporting ecosystem.

• Understanding the interplay between GRI, ESRS, ISSB, and other major frameworks.

• Analysing trends and preparing for upcoming regulatory expectations.

Practical exercise: comparative mapping of different reporting frameworks.

MODULE 5 – Preparation for the Certification Exam to Become a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional

• Review of key concepts and methodologies covered across modules.

• Consolidation of knowledge through case-based exercises and practical applications.

• Guidance and support for the official GRI Certification Exam.

Practical exercise: exam simulation.

Two additional on-demand modules that are not part of the certification programme but provide advanced complementary content:

• Unlocking the ESRS for GRI Reporters

• Preparing for External Assurance for ESRS Reporting (2025)

At the end of the training, a certificate of attendance will be available either on your client account or on demand to the customer service.

Optional: pass the GRI exam and become a certified “GRI Sustainability Professional”.

The cost of the exam is €350. Each participant will receive a code allowing them to register individually for the exam. Registration is therefore to be completed directly by each participant using this code. Further details regarding the exam, the registration procedure, and its organization will be provided during the training.