In one of the most comprehensive national-level survey's of reporting practices ever published, the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada finds that 'reporting issuers, their boards, and senior management will be duty-bound to pay greater attention to the social and environmental issues and risks.'

It was revealed that 61% of large cap companies were aware of GRI, but that only 15.0% of micro cap companies and 22.2% of small companies had heard of GRI. Of the respondents that had heard of GRI, 77% were supportive of GRI. Only 8% said that they find the 2002 Guidelines too onerous, but 22% said they found the Guidelines 'too vague'. The authors stated that the most valuable aspects of the GRI Guidelines are the multi-stakeholder process that underpins their development, and the ability of reporters to use them incrementally.

Follow this link to download the full report.