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ESG Frameworks Explained: GRI vs SASB vs ISSB

Have you ever read a company’s sustainability report and thought, “This sounds good—but what does it actually mean?”

If yes, you're not alone.

In a world where almost every major corporation claims to be “green,” “ethical,” or “responsible,” the need for standardized, credible, and comparable ESG disclosures has never been greater. This is where ESG frameworks step in—but there’s a catch: they’re not all the same.

Today, we’re diving into the big three: GRI, SASB, and ISSB.

This is more than an alphabet soup. This is a battle for how the world measures corporate impact.


Comparative framework of GRI, SASB and ISSB

GRI: Reporting for the People

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the most widely adopted ESG framework worldwide. Over 10,000 organizations in 100+ countries use it.

But what makes it special?

It prioritizes stakeholder impact. That means GRI wants to know how a company’s operations affect the planet, people, and society—not just its profits.

From human rights to biodiversity, labor practices to supply chain ethics, GRI is about accountability to the world, not just shareholders.

If you're a civil society group, government body, or ethical consumer—this is your framework.


SASB: The Finance Professional’s ESG

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) takes a very different approach.

Its focus? What ESG issues affect a company’s financial performance.

It asks sharp, tailored questions like:

  • How does a tech firm manage data privacy risks?

  • How will a mining company be impacted by water scarcity?

It covers 77 industries with sector-specific standards—making it the go-to for investors, CFOs, and asset managers who need hard numbers, not soft promises.

In simple terms: GRI tells you what a company does to the world. SASB tells you what the world does to a company’s balance sheet.


ISSB: The Ambitious Unifier

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) is the newest but most ambitious player in the game.

Launched by the IFRS Foundation, ISSB’s mission is clear: unify ESG reporting globally.

It combines the best of both worlds:

  • Builds on SASB’s financial relevance

  • Incorporates TCFD’s climate risk focus

  • Aligns with global accounting norms

It’s backed by regulators from the G7, G20, and major stock exchanges. If ISSB succeeds, we could finally have one global ESG language—a “universal grammar” for sustainability.


Why This Matters Right Now

Let’s be blunt: ESG confusion is a risk—especially when the stakes are this high.

  • A 2024 PwC report found that over 80% of investors believe ESG risks are financially material—but only 40% think companies disclose them effectively.

  • According to the World Economic Forum, $53 trillion in assets under management are now ESG-aligned, but without standardization, greenwashing is rampant.

  • Countries like the UK, EU, and India are rolling out mandatory ESG reporting regimes—and companies unprepared for frameworks like ISSB will face regulatory heat.


Case Study: Unilever’s ESG Reporting Strategy

Unilever, one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, offers a fascinating glimpse into the power of multi-framework reporting.

  • It uses GRI to show its impact on communities, employees, and climate.

  • It applies SASB standards for sector-specific investor reporting.

  • It’s preparing to align with ISSB for its consolidated global disclosures.

The benefit? More trust, fewer blind spots, and better ESG scores across rating agencies.


Take Action: What Should You Do Now?

This isn’t just for corporate compliance teams. Everyone has a role to play:

  • If you’re an investor: Start asking for SASB-aligned disclosures. Don’t just take “sustainable” at face value.

  • If you’re a regulator: Consider how ISSB could simplify and strengthen your national ESG policies.

  • If you’re a startup founder: Begin with GRI. Tell your story with transparency before you're told to.

  • If you’re a student or job seeker: Upskill in ESG reporting. Sustainability jobs are growing 3x faster than average.


One Last Thought

We often say, “What gets measured gets managed.” But when different frameworks measure different things, how can we manage the world’s greatest risks—climate collapse, inequality, and resource scarcity?

This isn’t a technical debate. It’s a survival issue.

The good news? The convergence has already begun. The better news? You now understand the rules of the game.

Are you ready to demand clarity—and act on it?

 
 
 

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