Sustainability Report Under GRI – G3 Guidelines

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) organized Awareness Program on “Sustainability Report Under GRI – G3 Guidelines” on 14th March 2011, from 10 am to 2 pm, at J.S. Krishna Murthy hall, Federation House, FAPCCI, Red Hills, Lakdi-Ka-Pul, Hyderabad.

Mr. B. Suresh Babu, IAS, Additional Commissioner, Department of Industries, Government of Andhra Pradesh was the chief guest for this occasion.

Mr. Shekhar Agarwal, President, FAPCCI, Mr. M. Srirama Murthy, Chairman, Industrial development Committee, FAPCCI, Mr. N.M. Prusty, CMD, Centre for Development and Disaster Management Support Services-A Strategy Centre, Mr. Karunakara Reddy M, CMD, Smaat Aqua Technologies Private Limited, Mr. Amalendu Pal, Chief Executive, Partners – in - Change, Mr. M.V. Rajeshwara Rao, Secretary General are participated in the awareness program.

Mr. Shekhar Agarwal, President while welcoming the dignitaries stated that Global Reporting Initiative produces most prevalent standards for sustainability reporting, environmental social governance reporting, corporate social responsibility reporting, Sustainability reporting is a form of value reporting where an organization publicity communicates their economic, environmental and social performance. GRI guidelines are regarded to be widely used. Its apply to corporate business, public agencies, smaller enterprises, non governmental organizations, industrial groups and others. G3 guidelines provide universal guidance for reporting on sustainability performance. These guidelines are applicable to small companies, large multination, public sector and other types of organizations from all round the world. The G3 guidelines consist of principles and disclosure items which help reporters define the report content, the quality of the report and give guidance on how to set the report boundary. Disclosure items include on management of issues. Another thing Partners in Change has been pioneering the understanding and practice of Corporate Responsibility issues in India. It strives to place, as its central focus, the poor, vulnerable communities and groups impacted by business. PiC offers a wide range of CR related services to business and civil society organizations operating in India, and works in close association with international networks and alliances in the South Asia region.

Mr. M. Sreerama Murthy, stated in his introductory remarks that Partner in Change was established in 1995 which was a separate organization under the Societies Registration Act 1860. It was supported by Action Aid International-India which was established a “Corporate Partnership” in 1993. It was non-profit and non governmental organization. It works with Management Institutions and Student Bodies for promotion and integration of Corporate Responsibilities education and research for the development of business leaders in future. The GRI – G3 guidelines are to attention on focused structural approach, motivating sustainable improvement and data management, becoming market leader, influencing policy makers, investor confidence, assist in stakeholders dialogue, builds ownership and commitment and helps in thinking. Finally he said that, however it is a new subject to us we definitely support this type of programmes and organize in FAPCCI.

Mr. Amalendu Pal, has given presentation on Concepts for SMEs development. The Enterprises are able to develop a self supporting dynamics and to accumulate capital and depends on self initiative. A sociao-cultural environment is adverse to innovation and entrepreneurship. Positive external effects improvement of training and qualification, improvement of the employment situation of disadvantaged groups, development of human capital and entrepreneurial potentials decentralization of economic structures, contributions to rural development, ecological aspects, provision of poorer social strata with affordable goods. Economic efficiency and growth, intensity of competition, establishment of a market and enterprise-friendly atmosphere, distributional fairness and equality of opportunities, and increased employment, On the micro level, it is deemed necessary to distinguish between the level of the individual project and the target group level Employment opportunities have to create to the entrepreneurs. Before implementing any promotional measures, donor organizations must have a clear understanding of the objectives. The priorities for promotion in SME sector technology up gradation such as products development, adaptation of process technologies to small scale production conditions and ecologically safe technologies. Linking of the small enterprise sector to the formal capital market is essential. Before starting the enterprise first selection of suitable entrepreneurial personalities, appropriate locations, infrastructure and internal capital formation. Have relations to the Governmental organizations

Mr. B. Suresh Babu, Chief Guest to the Programme has said that GRI - Reporting Framework provides guidance son how organizations can disclose their sustainability performance. The G3 are the so-called “Third Generation” of the GRI`s Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. They were launched in October 2006 at large international conference which attracted thousands. There is a “third generation” because the GRI seeks to continually improve the guidelines. The guidelines Framework is applicable to organizations of any size constituency or location and has been used already by many hundreds of organizations around the world as the basis of their sustainability reporting.

In this regard Sri Amalendu Pal has given very good presentation on the programme. The Commissioner of Industries will give support to organize such type of programmes. He also said thanks to FAPCCI to organize the programme and introduce this programme to the industrial sector and to implement.