Meta Description: As ESG expectations evolve, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) alone may no longer be enough. Learn why Philippine companies should integrate IFRS S1, IFRS S2, SASB, and TCFD frameworks to future-proof their sustainability reporting and strengthen investor confidence.

Published on October 30, 2025

The Evolving ESG Landscape

For years, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has been the backbone of sustainability reporting across the Philippines and the world. It helped organizations communicate their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance transparently and comprehensively.

But in 2025, the sustainability reporting landscape is no longer defined by a single framework. As investors demand more decision-useful, comparable, and financially relevant disclosures, companies are now turning to IFRS S1, IFRS S2, SASB, and TCFD — frameworks that align sustainability with financial performance.

Why GRI Alone Isn’t Enough

While GRI remains valuable for impact reporting and stakeholder engagement, it focuses primarily on how an organization affects the economy, environment, and people. However, investors and regulators now need to understand how sustainability issues affect the company’s financial health.

This is where the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (S1 and S2) come in — designed by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) to bring financial materiality into the sustainability conversation.

In other words, GRI tells your stakeholders what impact you have on the world — while IFRS tells investors how the world impacts you.

The Rise of IFRS S1 and IFRS S2

The IFRS S1 standard focuses on general sustainability-related disclosures, while IFRS S2 zeroes in on climate-related risks and opportunities, building upon the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

These standards mark a global shift toward investor-grade ESG reporting — meaning companies must quantify and disclose sustainability risks with the same rigor as financial statements.

Ready to align your disclosures with IFRS S1 and S2?
Explore our Sustainability Services to see how GCSS, Inc. helps companies navigate complex global reporting frameworks.

SASB and TCFD: Sector-Specific and Climate-Focused

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) complements IFRS and GRI by providing industry-specific metrics that help organizations measure what truly matters in their sector — whether that’s carbon emissions in energy, patient safety in healthcare, or data security in technology.

Meanwhile, the TCFD framework, now embedded into IFRS S2, focuses on governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics/targets related to climate risks. It guides companies in identifying and managing climate-related financial risks — a critical issue for a country like the Philippines, one of the most climate-vulnerable in the world.

Integrated Reporting: The Next Level

Beyond standalone sustainability or financial reports, many forward-looking organizations are now adopting Integrated Reporting (IR). This approach connects sustainability performance directly with long-term business value creation — showing how ESG performance drives growth, innovation, and resilience.

For Philippine companies seeking to enhance investor trust and demonstrate strategic alignment, integrated reporting represents the future of corporate transparency.

Thinking about transitioning from GRI to multi-framework or integrated reporting?
Talk to us at GCSS, Inc. — we help organizations design reporting systems that align with global best practices while meeting local SEC and stakeholder expectations.

Why Multi-Framework Adoption Future-Proofs Your Reporting

Adopting multiple sustainability reporting frameworks isn’t about adding complexity — it’s about building credibility, comparability, and confidence. Companies that integrate GRI with IFRS S1/S2, SASB, and TCFD can:

• Meet diverse stakeholder expectations (investors, regulators, and customers alike)
• Ensure consistency across local and international disclosures
• Strengthen board and risk governance systems
• Improve access to green financing and investor capital
• Demonstrate leadership in sustainability transparency

   

With regulatory convergence accelerating, companies that act early will find themselves ahead of the compliance curve — and better positioned to thrive in the global ESG economy.

Future-Proof Your Reporting Strategy

Sustainability reporting is evolving — and companies that stick to a single framework risk being left behind. The future belongs to those that adopt a multi-framework approach, integrating GRI’s impact-driven reporting with the financial and risk-based insights of IFRS, SASB, and TCFD.

Future-proof your sustainability reporting with multi-framework expertise — with GCSS, Inc.

Reach out at sales@gcssinc.com to begin your IFRS- and TCFD-aligned ESG journey. Book your discovery call here.

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