1. Government commission to the Swedish Agency for Public Management
“Analyse the preconditions for, consequences of and benefits gained by sustainability reporting in accordance with the GRI-guidelines in the State Administration in Sweden.”
Ministry of Finance, Spring 2009

2. Advantages of the GRI-model
International reporting model
Systematic presentation of information
Uniform definitions and terminology
Detailed guidelines
External assurance
Focus on results
Positive effect on internal sustainability activities

3. Disadvantages of the GRI-model
Driving force international audit companies, not the needs of the public sector
Limited experience world wide – only 2 000 users
Designed for global corporations
Public sector supplement has not been updated
Cannot equate public agencies with global companies
Indicators not relevant for public agencies

4. Problems when applying the model
Broad overlap with existing reporting systems
Limited benefits in the economic and environmental dimensions
Value added primarily in the social dimension
High initial costs – understanding, data collection,, reporting system, assurance ( €/year)
Considerable loss of momentum, information and resources if existing systems are closed down
Comparisons limited due to flexibility in model

5. What is the purpose of sustainability reporting?
1. Instrument for internal agency management
2. More transparency for external parties
3. External follow-up and management by the Government

6. What happens with existing agency reporting?
Benefits of reporting must be related to existing information systems
What’s new - existing information in a new package?
The relevant question is: What is the Govern-ment going to use all this information for?
Not: what is it possible to report?

7. Which effects should be reported?
Direct effects on society
Indirect effects on society
Two Examples:
1. Nation Road Board – road maintenance
2. National Food Administration – food safety and energy conservation

8. What is a sustainable public agency?
The function of a public agency is to implement government policy and influence society in line with this policy.
The basic concept behind sustainability is to reduce long-term effects on society.
Here there is a conflict.
Should public agencies be sustainable?