The revised AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard will offer a future-focused approach to identifying, prioritizing, and responding to stakeholders, and align with leading practices, relevant sustainability frameworks, local standards, and non-financial regulations.

Purpose and Objectives

This working group was established to inform the update of the AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard (AA1000SES v2). This update will ensure the Standard maintains its usefulness and relevance as stakeholders’ expectations evolve and stakeholder input is mandated by regulators for financial and non-financial disclosures.  

This group will be responsible for managing the project and authoring the AA1000SES v3, to be released in 2027. Working Group members will be expected to contribute to stakeholder consultation efforts, propose suggestions for alignment with sustainability or non-financial disclosures and participate in the revision process. The whole process will likely take 18-24 months to complete. Please see Figure 1 below.

Milestones/Timeline

• Establishment of Working Group (Q2 2025)

• First meeting of Working Group in June 2025

• Research & engagement (Q2-Q3 2025)

• First draft of updated Standard and revisions (Q3 2025-Q1 2026)

• Public consultation (Q2 2026)

• Launch of new Standard (2027)

Governance

The working group will operate under the purview of the AccountAbility (AA) Chief Executive Officer and AccountAbility Standards Board. The Working Group will be supported by two review committees – a Practitioner Review Committee and a Licensed Provider Review Committee. Please see Figure 2 below.

AccountAbility employees with specific subject matter expertise who can provide content and logistical support will administer the meeting of the Working Group and the two review committees.  

Technical Advisors

The Working Group may choose to invite other individuals with special knowledge and expertise related to the priority issues to attend meetings and provide information and/or advice. Advisors will be encouraged to participate in discussions but shall not participate in the decision-making of the Working Groups.
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‍Time commitment

Working Group members must be available for the following activities:  

• Communicating (by phone, e-mail, Zoom, etc.) with other Working Group members and support staff;  

• Reading and reviewing meeting materials;  

• Reading and participating in the Working Group mailing list;  

• Actively engaging in Working Group meetings.

The Working Group will initially meet virtually once per quarter. The development of meeting schedules will take into consideration the special needs of its members to maximize attendance. Members agree to place a high priority on participation in the Working Group process and to make a good faith best effort to attend all meetings.

Draft meeting agendas along with support materials will be provided to the Working Group at least seven calendar days in advance of meetings. The facilitator will produce draft products or summaries following each meeting that identify major discussions or actions. However, the focus of the Working Group will be to work toward producing an updated version of the AA1000SES v3.  

Roles & Responsibilities

The goal of the Working Group is to reach a broad based consensus. Thus, each working group member will:  

• Make the best effort possible to reach a consensus platform

• Share the responsibility of ensuring the success of the process and the quality of the outcome

• Actively participate in discussions  

• Bring concerns to other members or facilitators  

• Share the airtime with others  

• Have respect for different points of view and be attentive when others speak  

• Ask questions of each other for clarification and mutual understanding  

• Verify assumptions when necessary

• Avoid characterizing the motives of others  

• Acknowledge and try to understand other's perspectives  

• Stay focused on the task at hand

• Refrain from distracting others through side conversations

• Concentrate on the content of the discussions and allow the facilitator to focus on how to promote productive discussion  

Selection Criteria

Working Group members are individuals with a strong knowledge of sustainability and stakeholder engagement demands, and are capable of understanding and respecting diverse points of view.  

Group membership will be comprised of a diverse selection of stakeholders chosen based on expertise in sustainability and related standards, and stakeholder engagement. These members will represent Industry, Sustainability, Consulting, Legal, Accounting, Auditing, and Regulatory Environments, and will provide a balance to represent diverse global interests.

Select experts from the community have been invited to participate in the Working Group and review committees by members of the AccountAbility Standards Board and AccountAbility employees.  

The shortlist of Working Group members will be endorsed by the AccountAbility Standards Board.

How to apply

The application deadline for stakeholders wishing to serve on the AA1000SES Working Group is May 2, 2025.

Please send a copy of your résumé and a brief letter describing why you want to join the Working Group, what interests you about the topic, and how you believe you can contribute. We also encourage you to detail how much time you can dedicate to the group and your level of commitment. We welcome applications from individuals who are passionate about contributing to our mission.

Applications should be sent to standards@accountability.org.

Nominations will be open to all interested leaders; preferences include professionals experienced or involved in, but not limited to, Industry, Sustainability, Consulting, Legal, Accounting, Auditing, and Regulatory Environments.