A step-by-step approach for sustainability report the case of a textile company

The textile and clothing industry has contributed significantly to the national and international economy, highlighting sustainability as an essential dimension. This study intends to propose a step-by-step approach to support sustainability reporting in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based on the updated Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) of 2021. The first use of this step-by-step approach is presented for the case of a Portuguese SME in the textile and clothing industry. The approach results in a practical and simplified step-by-step guide composed of ten steps divided into two stages. The development of the step-by-step approach followed four phases which include identifying the main stakeholders, understanding the business, analyzing GRI 2021 guidelines, and preparing the company's sustainability report. This approach allows an SME to inform its stakeholders about its economic, social, and environmental impact performance, by the guidelines of the GRI Standards 2021. The study contributes also to improving the marketing strategies and the acknowledgment of SMEs in the textile and clothing industry.