“Would we see a supposed, yet uncertain, “glass ceiling” on GRI in different economic times?
I honestly believe (and since I am getting GRI certified in two weeks I SURE hope I am right) that we are only at the beginning. GRI has been around a bit, but general public appreciation and understanding of sustainability and social responsibility is in its infancy. It is at the starting gate. With new developments, such as Wal-Mart’s Sustainability index, more and more businesses will monitor and report social and environment practices and I think (or hope) that sustainability reports are one day as mainstream as annual financial reports.
Again, I think the point is that public understanding of sustainable initiatives are rather new. am earning a Sustainable MBA right now. I can not tell you how many people have asked me what the “sustainability” part means. As public awareness increases so will corporate reporting.”