Project Overview: Most public companies use the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI

Project Overview:
Most public companies use the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to guide the identification of material ESG topics that inform the development of strategy and make business decisions. The GRI outlines a formal process to identify material topics:
Material Topics 2021
SEE IMAGE IN ATTACHMENT!
Image from GRI 3: Material Topics 2021
Companies should follow the materiality assessment process and disclose material topics within its ESG report to align with market expectations. In this sense, materiality does not mean the SEC definition of materiality but rather items that internal and external stakeholders feel the business should prioritize through its ESG program.
Evaluate a public company’s ESG report and determine whether the strategy outlined in the report, news articles highlighting the company’s ESG investment decisions and projects, or other press releases noting ESG performance align with the company’s material ESG topics.
Your Report Should:
Material Topics, and any changes in material topics over the past 3 year.
Key Performance Metrics, and how the performance metrics are measured
Progress towards performance metrics and the time given to achieve targets
Particular Areas of strengths (weaknesses) across the three ESG pillars? (You may use a combination of source information such as: a) self-reporting, Bloomberg or similar rating system such as Sustainalytics, MSCI, or ISS Corporate Rating[1][2]). You can use performance improvements over time and/or to a specific competitor or a peer group to benchmark performance.
Actions that are consistent/inconsistent with material elements (source material can come from press releases, popular press, or other sources). You must cite your sources (any common format is fine). These actions could include, but are not limited to, changes in supply chain, hiring practices, BOD turnover, new requirements for capital projects.
Your report should compare your company to one of its competitors.
Your company and its competitor should be publicly traded.
Citations and links to the report must be included. Any major format for citations is acceptable.
Note:
You may not have access to all of the databases
Yahoo Finance uses Sustainalytics to provide benchmarks. If you are unable to use Bloomberg or similar database, you can identify peers through Yahoo and then perform a deeper dive to a single benchmark firm.
What to Submit?
File Type: Word Document
Summary Length: 10-12 pages (maximum, excluding tables & exhibits)
Summary Font: Times New Roman
Summary Font Size: 10 – 12 Point
Double Spaced