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.
Dow Jones Sustainability Index Readiness Assessment
The summer months are an ideal time to reflect upon a busy start of the year and start planning ahead for 2019. When in full reporting mode, you may run out of time and come across issues in your Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) process that you are not able to deal with at that very moment. For those eager to plan ahead and looking to maximally benefit from your participation, we've developed a comprehensive Readiness Assessment for (future) participants of the DJSI.
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 a big data analysis on corporate reporting trends from Datamaran Benchmark, as well as big data from Bloomberg and CDP, among others.
Balancing Richness and Reach for More Focused Reporting
Spurred by regulation and industry standards, more companies than ever are reporting on core ESG topics by publishing integrated or separate corporate sustainability reports. Simultaneously, 26 percent of global assets under management are managed under an ESG strategy. While investors are becoming stronger advocates for ESG disclosure, companies are struggling to find the balance between reporting too little or too much. Pro-active lean reporting combined with responding to relevant external ESG rating requests can help to resolve this dilemma.
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 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.
