Discover the GRI Professional Certification Program
Build expertise and gain a competitive edge by earning a globally recognized title through this Professional Certification Program issued directly by GRI, the world's leading standard setter for sustainability disclosure.
What is the GRI Professional Certification program?
The GRI Professional Certification Program is a comprehensive curriculum on sustainability, sustainability reporting and the application of the GRI Standards. It was designed to give sustainability professionals the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, skills and expertise in implementing the GRI Standards and to improve sustainability reporting quality. The program offers two flexible learning routes: online, self-paced on the GRI Academy (Route A), or instructor-led and fully or partly delivered by one of the GRI Certified Training Partners (Route B). Consult the leaflet for a detailed overview of the program, its courses and the two routes leading to certification.
Those who complete the required courses and pass the exam are awarded the title "GRI Certified Sustainability Professional" and are listed on the GRI website.
5 reasons to become certified
- Upskill and gain a competitive edge in your career
- Improve the quality of your sustainability reporting
- Get professional recognition from a trusted source
- Enhance your knowledge and skills needed to use the GRI Standards
- Strengthen your sustainability reporting credentials
Select your preferred learning path
Route A
The GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards) are the first and most widely adopted global standards for sustainability reporting.
This course will introduce you to the sustainability reporting practice and to some key concepts of the GRI sustainability reporting Standards. The content is divided into 4 modules and will take learners through the sustainability challenges, explain what sustainable development is, and define the benefits of reporting. Additionally, you will be introduced to the story of the Global Reporting Initiative and to the main concepts of the GRI Standards such as the reporting principles, stakeholder engagement, impact and material topics.
All required and recommended learning materials are made available in the course itself, as downloads or as links to resources on the internet. Upon completing the course, learners receive a certificate of completion. This training course is part of the GRI Professional Certification Program.
Target audience: This course is aimed at anyone who wants to know more about sustainability, sustainability reporting and how the GRI Standards can help organizations increase their transparency and communicate their sustainability contributions and impacts.
About the course:
- Self-paced online course comprised of 4 modules
- Length: approximately 6 hours
- Prerequisites: none
- Certificate: Yes, learners receive a certificate of completion
- GRI Community member discount: 25%
After attending this course, you will be able to
- Define sustainability through a holistic and multi-dimensional approach
- Describe sustainability challenges and explain how reporting contributes to sustainable development
- List the key elements of a sustainability report and the value and benefits of disclosure
- Explain the concepts, features and structure of the GRI Standards
GRI Community Members:
If you are a GRI Community member you are eligible to receive a 25% discount. To request your discount please email us at [email protected] and provide your full name and organization details.
Refund terms:
Within 14 days candidates that have not yet accessed their purchased course can receive a full refund. If the course has been accessed, or if more than 14 days have passed since the purchase of the course, candidates are no longer entitled to receive a refund.
Reporting with GRI Standards 2021 Update’ is a self-paced online learning course designed for individuals seeking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the GRI Standards and how to use the Standards for best practice impact reporting. The course delivers a tailored learning experience that blends the theory of the GRI Standards with suggestions for their practical application.
All required and recommended learning materials are made available in the course itself, as downloads or as links to resources on the internet. Upon completing the course, learners receive a certificate of completion. This training course is part of the GRI Professional Certification Program.
Duration: approximately 3.5 hours
Target audience: This course is aimed at a wide range of users, from sustainability consultants, CSR specialists and reporters, to C-suit executives and students in the field of sustainability and CSR reporting.
Prerequisites: There are no specific knowledge prerequisites for the course, but participants are encouraged to read the GRI Universal Standards prior to attending the training session.
After attending this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the structure and purpose of the GRI Standards.
- Define the key concepts and reporting principles in the GRI Standards.
- Identify the requirements for reporting in accordance with the GRI Standards.
- Describe the process for identifying an organization’s impacts and determining material topics.
- Report contextual information about an organization and how it manages its material topics.
GRI Community Members:
If you are a GRI Community member you are eligible to receive a 25% discount. To request your discount please email us at [email protected] and provide your full name and organization details.
Refund terms:
Within 14 days candidates that have not yet accessed their purchased course can receive a full refund. If the course has been accessed, or if more than 14 days have passed since the purchase of the course, candidates are no longer entitled to receive a refund.
‘Reporting on human rights with the GRI Standards’ is a self-paced online course that provides an in-depth overview and analysis of how to report on human rights with the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards.
All required and recommended learning materials are made available in the course itself, as downloads or as links to resources on the internet. Upon completing the course, learners receive a certificate of completion. This training course is part of the GRI Professional Certification Program.
Target audience: This course is aimed at new and existing reporting practitioners as well as the sustainability professionals that assist them. Other users of the GRI Standards, such as students, academics, data users, or policy makers who want to understand and gain practical knowledge on how to report on human rights using the GRI Standards are also welcome to take this course.
Prerequisites: There are no specific knowledge prerequisites for this course. However, to fully comprehend the subject matter, we recommend you familiarize yourself with the GRI Standards by, for instance, taking GRI’s online course ‘Reporting with the GRI Standards - 2021 Update’ available on the GRI Academy.
Duration: approximately 3.5 hours.
After attending this course, you will be able to:
- State the relevance of human rights and human rights transparency to business.
- Describe the key concepts in the GRI Standards as well as the process for identifying impacts and determining material topics related to human rights.
- Discuss the disclosures in the GRI Standards related to human rights, including the requirements and guidance.
- Apply the GRI human rights-related disclosures by studying practical case studies.
GRI Community Members:
If you are a GRI Community member you are eligible to receive a 25% discount. To request your discount please email us at [email protected] and provide your full name and organization details.
Refund terms:
Within 14 days candidates that have not yet accessed their purchased course can receive a full refund. If the course has been accessed, or if more than 14 days have passed since the purchase of the course, candidates are no longer entitled to receive a refund.
This online course will explore the global sustainability challenges that are addressed by the Global Goals and the business case for engaging with the SDGs. It will also delve into the role of sustainability reporting in enabling sustainable development; and, trend, challenges and opportunities related to reporting on the SDGs.
This course will take a deep dive into practical aspects of integrating the SDGs into existing sustainability reporting processes by following the steps outlined in the publication Integrating the SDGs into Corporate Reporting: A Practical Guide, developed by the UN Global Compact and GRI. This course ends with guidance on how to use the tool An Analysis of the Goals and Targets, also developed by GRI and the UN Global Compact, that can be applied to find the appropriate indicators and GRI disclosures to report on the SDGs. By upholding recognized standards and principles on issues such as human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption, organizations make an essential contribution to the SDGs.
All required and recommended materials are made available in the course itself, as downloads or as links to resources on the internet. Upon completing the course, learners receive a certificate of completion. This training course is part of the GRI Professional Certification Program.
Duration: approximately 3 hours
Target audience: Sustainability professionals who want to get a better understanding of how the UN Sustainable Development Goals could be integrated into sustainability reporting practices or are trying to embed the SDGs in sustainability reports.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course, but to fully understand the relation between the SDGs and sustainability reporting using the GRI Standards, a basic knowledge of the GRI Standards is recommended.
After attending this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the global sustainability challenges that we face as well as the business case for engaging with the SDGs
- Explain the role of sustainability reporting and how it contributes to sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs
- Interpret the current trends, challenges, and opportunities faced by organizations when it comes to reporting on the SDGs
- Integrate the SDGs into your reporting process by following the steps outlined in the publication ‘Integrating the SDGs into Corporate Reporting: A Practical Guide’, developed by the UN Global Compact and GRI
- Describe the reporting experiences of organizations in different sectors after examining their case studies.
GRI Community Members:
If you are a GRI Community member you are eligible to receive a 25% discount. To request your discount please email us at [email protected] and provide your full name and organization details.
Refund terms:
Within 14 days candidates that have not yet accessed their purchased course can receive a full refund. If the course has been accessed, or if more than 14 days have passed since the purchase of the course, candidates are no longer entitled to receive a refund.
IMPORTANT:
Do NOT click on ‘BEGIN THE TEST’ to start the Exam without downloading and configuring the Proctoring software. The Exam must only be taken after the Proctoring software has been started and configured. After you complete the exam interview, the software will allow you to open an internet browser. You can then navigate to the GRI Academy's log in page, where you must enter your credentials again and navigate to the Exam folder in your profile. You can then proceed with taking the Exam.
Keep the proctoring software open on the background, to make sure it will be recording your exam attempt. Candidates that take the exam without the Proctoring software and without a proctoring video will have their Exam marked as inadmissible.
Instructions can be found in the step-by-step guide.
The Certification exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions with a time-limit of 60 minutes for completion and requires a passing score of 75%.
Best of luck with your exam!
Please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or experience any technical difficulties.
Refund terms:
Within 14 days candidates that have not yet accessed their purchased exam can receive a full refund. If the exam has been accessed, or if more than 14 days have passed since the purchase of the exam, candidates are no longer entitled to receive a refund.
GRI Professional Certification – Learning Plan
The GRI Professional Certification Program is designed to enhance the knowledge, expertise, and skills of sustainability professionals in implementing the GRI Standards to improve the quality of sustainability reporting. Accessible via the GRI Academy, or a Certified Training Partner, professionals complete four courses that cover the fundamentals of GRI reporting, in preparation for a final certification exam.
Benefits of Certification
Globally applicable professional development that allows you to:
- Improve your reporting skills
- Maintain and upskill your sustainability knowledge
- Enhance your credibility
- Demonstrate your sustainability know-how
Courses included in this Learning Plan:
- Introduction to sustainability reporting and the GRI Standards 2021 Update.
- Reporting with GRI Standards 2021 Update.
- Reporting on Human Rights with the GRI Standards 2021 Update.
- Integrating the SDGs into Sustainability Reporting.
After completing all four courses from this Learning Plan, you become eligible to take the Professional Certification Exam, which will be unlocked and become available to be purchased.
Your certification can be renewed within 2 years by taking continuing education units (CEUs).
Please note: If you have attended a GRI Standards Certified training via a Training Partner you have already gained the knowledge on the courses ‘Introduction to sustainability reporting and the GRI Standards 2021 Update’ and ‘Reporting with GRI Standards 2021’, and therefore are eligible to continue your learning path via the Route B.
More information on how to start or continue your learning experience through our Certified Training Partners can be found here.
GRI Community members: If your organization is a GRI Community member you are eligible to receive a 25% discount. To request your discount, please emails us at [email protected] and provide your full name and organization details.
Refund terms: Within 14 days, candidates who have not yet accessed their purchased courses/exam within this learning plan can receive a full refund. If the courses and/or exam have been accessed, or if more than 14 days have passed since the purchase of the learning plan, candidates are no longer entitled to receive a refund.
Route B
Instructor-led: If you prefer instructor-led training in your local language, book a trainer-facilitated online or in-person classroom course delivered by one of our trusted Certified Training Partners in more than 50 countries.
Many of our training partners offer the full learning path to prepare for the Certification Exam:
- The GRI Standards Certified Training Course
- Reporting on Human Rights with the GRI Standards
- Integrating the SDGs into Sustainability Reporting
Enjoy a highly interactive setting with expert guidance from your trainer, local and context-specific materials and the opportunity to broaden your perspectives and build your network through knowledge sharing with fellow participants.
All our Certified Training Partners deliver the flagship training course that is the start of Route B, and combines the first two courses of Route A (see the program leaflet for details):
- The GRI Standards Certified Training Course
In addition, many training partners provide instructor-led additional courses that are also available at the GRI Academy, such as:
- Reporting on Human Rights with the GRI Standards
- Integrating the SDGs into Sustainability Reporting
- Mastery of Transparent Tax Reporting
- Reporting using the GRI Sector Standards: GRI 11: Oil and Gas (2021)
- Preparing for Assurance
Check the online training partner calendar for dates and details on specific courses.
What certified GRI professionals have to say
Frequently asked questions
Besides sustainability reporting professionals (within companies) and consultants, this program is also very useful for anyone who works with sustainability reporting, such as Chief Sustainability Officers and assurers.
You can become certified by completing the full Certification Program via Route A or Route B and passing the Certification Exam. You can find the details of the program in this leaflet.
All courses on the GRI Academy, including the Certification Exam, are self-paced and available 24/7. After completing the required certification courses, learners can take the exam at their convenience without having to make an appointment.
FAQs
If you have any doubts, please refer to our FAQ section. You can find solutions to commonly asked questions about our policies, procedures, and services.