Materiality Matrix
Less is More – the Materiality Conundrum
It sounds contradictory: Less is More. However, it is highly relevant for the sustainability focus of corporations. Companies often slip into the trap of focusing on too many ESG issues that are not material to their business. Solid research has shown that focusing performance on ESG issues that are truly material has a positive effect on total shareholder returns. So companies should concentrate on enhancing their impact in fields that matter the most. By committing to a select number of ESG issues, companies can unleash the full potential of their materiality matrices.
It's Time to Get Serious about Materiality
Last year, research among WBCSD member companies on sustainability and risk disclosures revealed that only 29% of material topics as published in the sustainability report were also included in the company’s legal disclosure of risks. Amazingly enough, for 35% of member companies this disclosure dropped to zero(!) demonstrating a feeble link between sustainability reporting and Enterprise Risk Management. With the launch of a public consultation on fiduciary duties and sustainability by the European Commission in November 2017, the increase of the interest in this topic is likely to further expand.
Lean Materiality Matrix 'Re-Fresh' Using Big Data
The materiality matrix has become a familiar sight in corporate reporting, representing a selection of topics that generate impact on the company and that are relevant to its stakeholders. Traditionally, full materiality assessments are conducted involving internal and external stakeholders in an elaborate process. But, today’s turbulent business environment requires a more frequent and agile approach, monitoring sustainability risks and opportunities around the clock. Finch & Beak’s Re-Fresh Materiality Assessment guarantees an annual update of your materiality matrix within 4 weeks by using big data from Bloomberg and CDP, among others.
How Barry Callebaut Is Saving Chocolate with Bold 2025 Goals
Ten years ago, newcomer Tony’s Chocolonely disrupted the chocolate industry with its purpose of making chocolate 100% free of child labor and slavery. Today, big players have started to follow suit. Barry Callebaut, the world's leading supplier of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, has set and is working towards very ambitious sustainability goals. Barry Callebaut’s forward-looking approach is an example of inevitable action if we are to have chocolate in the future at all.
Don’t Get Snowed In This Reporting Season
In 2017, the WBCSD’s Reporting Exchange initiative identified over 1,750 reporting requirements and resources across 60 countries and 70 sectors, with a steep increase on climate disclosures since 2015. While transparency is necessary, one of the unwelcome consequences is that sustainability departments end up spending too much of their time on reporting at the expense of generating real impact.
Summary of Webcast on Corporate Governance & Materiality
On November 9th, the fourth out of 5 webinars on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2017 results was broadcasted by RobecoSAM. The webcast covered the criterion of Materiality and the updated Corporate Governance chapter. Both criteria are key in determining whether companies have the right focus and effective structures for long-term shareholder value creation. In the download section of this article, you can find our summary of the webcast.
Materiality Matrix Update at Royal DSM in 4 Weeks
The materiality matrix has become a familiar sight in corporate reporting, often an intensive exercise that is traditionally repeated every three to four years. Today’s turbulent business environment requires a more frequent and agile approach, monitoring sustainability risks and opportunities around the clock.
Dyeing Your Business Model Canvas Green
Based upon 20 years of international experience in sustainability strategy and implementation, Finch & Beak developed a process tool to assist companies with the conception of sustainability as a key element of business strategy. The tool, called GLOBE-US, finds its basis in the Business Model Generation-approach of Osterwalder and Pigneur. GLOBE-US is comprised of 7 steps, starting with the original business model. Through the relevant material issues, the tool focuses on value creation and ultimately disruptive business model design.
2016 Dow Jones Sustainability Index Results
On the 8th of September 2016, RobecoSAM announced the results of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). We are proud to be working for Europe's frontrunners of which Koninklijke DSM and Telenet Group Holding are this year's industry group leaders. Other industry group leaders include Unilever, Roche Holding, Telecom Italia, and Metro AG. Companies that were added in this year’s world index are Cisco Systems, Essilor, Royal Dutch Shell, and Adobe Systems, whereas Samsung Electronics and BT Group are companies that have been deleted from the index.
