Comment identifiez-vous et hiérarchisez-vous les sujets de durabilité les plus pertinents et les plus importants pour votre client?

Sustainability can relate to many different aspects of a particular business. For some it means decarbonization, for others it means driving their supply chain to be more sustainable (definition to be determined by them) and on and on. Putting a box around the scope enables both the client and consultant to develop a plan to eat the elephant one bite at a time in a systematic approach. Defining the scope also allows for internal and external metrics to be developed to track progress to the defined goals and communicate that progress to stakeholders.

Definir o escopo de um projeto de sustentabilidade é fundamental para garantir foco e alinhamento estratégico com a visão do cliente. Isso envolve estabelecer objetivos claros, limites e prazos que estejam conectados às expectativas dos principais stakeholders, como investidores, clientes e reguladores. Cada setor e localidade trará desafios específicos, o que exige uma análise cuidadosa para garantir que o projeto não só atenda às necessidades atuais, mas também crie valor a longo prazo. Essa abordagem estratégica maximiza o impacto das iniciativas de sustentabilidade e reforça a credibilidade do cliente no mercado.

Understand Client Needs: Know what sustainability areas matter most to your client's business and stakeholders. Industry Focus: Consider the specific industry of your client to identify relevant sustainability challenges and opportunities. Geographic Location: Take into account where your client operates to address local environmental and social issues.

To identify and prioritize relevant sustainability topics for a client: 1. Stakeholder Engagement: Conduct surveys, interviews, and workshops to understand stakeholder concerns. 2. Materiality Assessment: Analyze the significance of sustainability issues to the business and its stakeholders. 3. Benchmarking: Compare sustainability practices against industry peers and leading companies. 4. Risk Assessment: Evaluate potential environmental, social, and governance risks and opportunities. 5. Regulatory Analysis: Consider legal requirements and industry standards. 6. Strategic Alignment: Align sustainability topics with the client's business goals and values.

Identifying the scope is the first step to developing a client's sustainable development strategy. Involve clients with the goal to better understand their challenges, match corporate aims with sustainability targets, and carry out materiality assessments. Sort topics into lists of priorities based on business alignment, environmental significance, and stakeholder impact. Keep flexible and change with new laws and developments. This targeted as well, flexible strategy ensures an individual significant sustainability plan. #SustainabilityLeadership #StakeholderAlignment #LinkedInTopVoice

Sustainability may have an impact on many parts of a business's operations. Depending on who you ask this might imply a variety of things: cutting down on carbon emissions is one interpretation, improving the sustainability of one's supply chain is another and so on. Together the consultant and client may break the issue down into manageable chunks by first establishing its scope. By laying out the parameters, we can build internal and external metrics to track progress toward our goals and communicate that data to the people who need to know.

Clearly defining the scope of a sustainability project is crucial as it sets the foundation for all subsequent actions. In my experience, involving a diverse group of stakeholders early in this phase can unearth unique insights and potential risks that may not be immediately apparent. For instance, a project I worked on in the manufacturing sector revealed that local community concerns about water usage were as critical as regulatory compliance, reshaping our approach to resource management.

For a sustainability project to be focused and strategically aligned with the client's goal, the scope must be clearly defined. To do this, precise goals, boundaries, and due dates must be set that are linked to the expectations of important parties, including investors, clients, and authorities. To make sure the project not only satisfies present needs but also adds value over the long run, it is necessary to carefully analyse the unique obstacles that each industry and region will present. This tactical strategy strengthens the client's market reputation while optimising the impact of sustainability measures.

In carbon removal and CCUS projects, identifying and prioritizing material sustainability topics starts with mapping the client’s value chain and stakeholder landscape. Engage key stakeholders—investors, regulators, and local communities—to uncover pressing concerns, such as storage permanence or emissions reduction potential. Use tools like double materiality to evaluate both financial risks (e.g., carbon pricing impacts) and environmental impacts (e.g., land-use changes). Prioritize topics that align with the client’s business objectives and industry standards, such as carbon intensity benchmarks.

Identifying and prioritizing relevant sustainability topics for clients involves a strategic approach. Begin by engaging with stakeholders to understand their concerns and expectations. Conduct comprehensive materiality assessments to evaluate the impact of sustainability issues on the organization and its stakeholders. Prioritize topics based on their significance to the business, considering regulatory requirements, stakeholder expectations, and industry trends. Regularly review and update priorities to adapt to evolving contexts and emerging issues. This dynamic process ensures a targeted and effective sustainability strategy.

A materiality assessment involves evaluating the significance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues to the client and its stakeholders. This process identifies topics that have the potential to impact the organization's performance and influence stakeholder perceptions. Conducting a materiality assessment often includes engaging with key stakeholders, such as customers, employees, investors, and community members. By involving these perspectives, the assessment captures a holistic view of the issues that matter most to both the organization and its broader ecosystem.

A materiality assessment is crucial for aligning sustainability efforts with stakeholder expectations. In my experience, conducting such assessments for a multinational corporation revealed that while environmental impact was a top concern globally, local communities prioritized economic development. This disparity highlighted the need for tailored sustainability strategies that address both global and local priorities. By mapping these topics on a matrix, we could effectively communicate the diverse needs to the board, ensuring a balanced approach to sustainability.

As sustainability advisors, it's essential to prioritize ESG topics using a double materiality lens, a key principle in the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). This means considering both financial materiality—how ESG issues impact the company—and impact materiality—how the company affects the environment and society. Stakeholder engagement plays a crucial role in this process. By engaging with employees, clients, suppliers, and local communities, we identify key issues that align with significant sustainability impacts. This approach ensures our ESG efforts are both relevant and impactful.

A avaliação de materialidade é uma ferramenta poderosa para identificar os temas de sustentabilidade mais relevantes para seu cliente e stakeholders. Ao mapear tópicos com base em sua importância e impacto, você prioriza questões estratégicas que orientam decisões e ações. Esse processo, que envolve feedback de diversas fontes, permite não apenas descobrir gaps e oportunidades, mas também alinhar a estratégia de sustentabilidade com as expectativas do mercado. Com isso, você garante que o cliente foque nos temas que realmente impulsionam valor e reputação a longo prazo.

We don't just focus on trendy topics. We prioritize issues where your client has the biggest impact (e.g., water use in a beverage company) and those that significantly influence their stakeholders (e.g., labor practices for a clothing retailer).

Double Materiality is critical as it ensures businesses assess and manage not only the financial impacts of environmental and social issues on their operations but also the significant effects their activities have on the world around them. This dual approach drives sustainable decision-making, enhancing both corporate resilience and stakeholder trust.

Materiality study is a key step in the sustainability journey. This will be the difference on having sustainable initiatives OR implement a solid sustainability strategy. It will defines what really matters, not only for you, but for all your stakeholders. Without a materiality study your company will never ensure if all the investment is being implemented on the right topic. Only passing through all these steps, the strategy can be developed. The materiality study must be executed by a team who has deep knowledge on the theory and on your market, otherwise may not reflect all possibilities and levels of criticality.

To determine which sustainability issues are most important to your client and stakeholders, the materiality assessment is an effective technique. You can prioritise strategic concerns that direct decisions and activities by mapping themes according to their significance and magnitude. By incorporating input from multiple sources, this method not only enables the identification of possibilities and gaps, but also aligns the sustainability strategy with market demands. This guarantees that the customer is concentrating on the themes that are truly responsible for long-term value and reputation.

Conducting a materiality assessment is a pivotal step in identifying and prioritizing sustainability topics. This involves engaging stakeholders, both internal and external, to determine the significance of various environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Through surveys, interviews, and workshops, consultants gain insights into the concerns that matter most to stakeholders and have the potential to impact the organization's performance. This data-driven approach ensures that the sustainability strategy focuses on issues that are material to the business and resonate with stakeholders.

A definição dos stakeholder prioritários é essencial para que se possa construir uma avaliação da materialidade. Consultar os stakeholder utilizando ferramentas adaptadas ao público consultados e buscar entender quais são os principais impactos causados pela empresa construindo a Avaliação Impactos. Os impactos com maior relevância irão compor a lista de tópicos materiais que deve ser validada pelas partes interessadas priorizadas.

When working in sustainability, a framework is needed to provide context. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides a robust framework for understanding and implementing sustainability practices within organizations. It offers guidelines for reporting environmental, social, and economic impacts, allowing companies to communicate their sustainability efforts to stakeholders. By adhering to GRI standards, organizations can systematically measure, manage, and report their sustainability performance. As I navigate through my sustainability journey, utilising the GRI framework equips me with the tools to assess and enhance sustainability strategies, ultimately contributing to better business practices.

Having a framework is essential for providing perspective while addressing sustainability. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides a strong platform for businesses to learn about and engage in sustainable practices. Standardising the reporting of economic, social, and environmental impacts and providing a forum for businesses to engage with relevant stakeholders about their sustainability initiatives are two benefits of this. Organisations can make systematic reports on their sustainability performance by following GRI guidelines. As I progress through my sustainability journey, I might evaluate and improve sustainability initiatives using the GRI framework, which eventually results in better business practices.

Each framework serves unique purposes, aiding organizations in sustainable practices based on priorities and stakeholder expectations. Ranking frameworks on their Importance and widespread adoption on a global scale.: UN SDGs: Globally significant, offering a comprehensive approach to sustainability. GRI: Transparent and inclusive, covering economic, environmental, and social aspects. TCFD: Crucial for assessing and reporting climate-related risks, enhancing resilience. SASB: Industry-specific standards for disclosing material sustainability information IIRC: Promotes integrated reporting but adoption is slower.

When tackling sustainability, a framework is crucial for offering perspective. Businesses may use the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) robust framework to learn about and implement sustainable activities. This standardizes the reporting of economic, social, and environmental effects and offers a platform for enterprises to discuss their sustainability activities with appropriate stakeholders. By adhering to GRI standards, organizations may report on their sustainability performance in a systematic manner. As I go through my sustainability journey, I may utilize the GRI framework to assess and enhance sustainability approaches, which ultimately leads to better business practices.

Review relevant sustainability standards, frameworks, and guidelines, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Identify sustainability topics that are commonly disclosed or considered material within the client's industry sector or geographic region.

Leveraging frameworks like GRI or SASB standardize reporting and enhance the credibility and comparability of sustainability efforts across industries. For instance, in my experience with a manufacturing client, adopting the GRI framework facilitated clearer communication with stakeholders and identified overlooked areas such as supply chain emissions. This holistic approach ensures that sustainability initiatives are aligned with global standards and tailored to the specific needs and goals of the client, fostering more effective and impactful outcomes.

There are several valuable frameworks to guide you, depending on your company's maturity and resources. For beginners, the Global Compact offers a solid foundation, with local networks providing best practices. While some view ISO 26001 as outdated, it remains a flexible and useful starting point. The GRI, primarily a reporting framework, is also helpful even if you're not ready to report, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of sustainability beyond just scope 1 and scope 2 emissions.

Utilizing established frameworks or standards is a pragmatic approach to ensure a structured and comprehensive assessment of sustainability topics. Frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) provide a robust structure for identifying and reporting on material sustainability issues. Consultants leverage these frameworks to guide the assessment process, ensuring a systematic and globally recognized approach that facilitates benchmarking and transparent communication.

O uso da matriz de avaliação de impactos para identificar os temas mais relevantes e a partir daí identificar os indicadores <IR>, GRI que devem ser priorizados de acordo com sua organização. Além disso, deve ser correlacionar os indicadores identificados com os Temas dos ODS.

Materiality process for sustainability delivers the most value when it is cyclical, and run as a dialogue more than a box checking exercise. Think of this as a conversation you facilitate internally in a company. For example, different departments might actually open new lines of communication and even adjust, align, and reprioritize depending on the results. To achieve this, be sure to report back your draft materiality findings as early as possible to the stakeholders, and actively invite additions, questions, and suggestions. Because internal and external factors are constantly shifting, and topics are so interconnected, making materiality a dialogue can make even the process of creating it a higher strategic value.

Deve-se propor uma metodologia baseada no PLAN–DO–CHECK–ACT (PDCA) e a avaliação dos resultados e ajustes devem ser realizados periodicamente.

Regularly reviewing and updating sustainability topics is crucial because the landscape of sustainability is dynamic and influenced by many factors. For instance, I once worked with a client in the manufacturing sector who initially prioritized energy efficiency. However, as new regulations emerged and stakeholder expectations evolved, we had to shift focus towards circular economy practices. This adaptability not only kept their sustainability agenda relevant but also aligned with emerging industry standards and stakeholder demands. Monitoring these changes ensures that your client's sustainability strategy remains proactive and impactful.

Manter a identificação e priorização de temas de sustentabilidade atualizadas é essencial para acompanhar as mudanças do mercado. Revisões regulares permitem que seu cliente se adapte a novas regulamentações, tecnologias e expectativas dos stakeholders, garantindo que os temas permaneçam estratégicos e relevantes. Monitorar o desempenho e o progresso, enquanto se antecipa a tendências emergentes, fortalece a capacidade de resposta do negócio frente a riscos e oportunidades. Esse ciclo contínuo de ajuste assegura que a agenda de sustentabilidade esteja sempre alinhada ao contexto atual e futuro do mercado.

Below are few of the risks which didn't seem so severe till few years back: - Environmental: 1. Natural disasters like flooding 2. Stricter emission regulations 3. Solid waste management - Social: 1. Talent shortages, especially for the newer skills 2. Employee satisfaction & therefore retention 3. Brand & Reputational risks, with so many brand engagement channels - Governance: 1. Investor interest in ESG profiling for financing decisions 2. Mandatory regulatory disclosures 3. Cybersecurity threats Thus, it's critical to review and update the materiality assessment regularly, so that relevant business continuity programs can be designed while keeping the stakeholders informed.

Materiality analysis needs to be done on an ongoing basis and important for it to be ground up and with a clean sheet (vs starting from a competitors materiality assessment and tweaking around the edges). A significant variation is needed for an organisation even with in the same sector / segment. Conducting materiality assessment is quite an involved task, and there are several tech enabled tools that are emerging that are able to pull out public data and company specific data to automate materiality analysis in less than a minute. This is really useful, but treat it like ChatGpt, you are responsible for the final outcomes, so do spend time to refine and make the analysis not look generic!

As opposed to a linear progression of stages, the materiality approach for sustainability is most effective when seen as a continuous conversation. Put yourself in the shoes of the person who moderates internal conversations at a company. The outcomes may prompt certain departments to reevaluate their efforts, establish new channels of communication, or rearrange their objectives. Quickly sharing your first results with stakeholders will encourage them to contribute comments, questions, and suggestions, which is crucial for achieving this aim. Because issues are interrelated and internal and external conditions are constant, elevating materiality production to the level of discourse may increase its strategic worth.

Stay informed about current and emerging regulatory requirements related to sustainability reporting, disclosure, and performance in the client's operating jurisdictions. Monitor market trends, industry benchmarks, and peer company practices to identify emerging sustainability topics or issues that may be relevant to the client.

It is crucial to stay current with market shifts in the identification and prioritisation of sustainability concerns. Regular evaluations guarantee that themes stay strategic and pertinent by enabling your client to adjust to changing laws, technological advancements, and stakeholder expectations. The ability of the company to respond to opportunities and hazards is strengthened by tracking performance and advancement while spotting new trends. The ongoing cycle of adaptation guarantees that the sustainability agenda is consistently in line with the present and upcoming market environment.

Sustainability is a dynamic field influenced by evolving market trends, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations. Therefore, it is essential to review and update the assessment regularly to reflect changing circumstances and emerging issues. Regular reviews allow you to stay responsive to shifting priorities, new risks, and opportunities that may impact the client's sustainability agenda. By incorporating feedback from stakeholders and monitoring external developments, you ensure that the identified material topics remain relevant and actionable over time.

In a world inundated with ESG regulations (CSRD/ESRS, IFRS), it's crucial not to lose sight of materiality's true purpose amid compliance. Beyond the specifics of materiality types, there's a fundamental interconnectedness in assessing ESG factors for risk evaluation. From my experience, key steps include conducting peer and sectoral studies, benchmarking, and sensitizing leadership. Identifying stakeholders is critical, with some organizations even assigning weightages to different groups. After compiling a list of issues, the next step is gathering feedback from stakeholders. Prioritizing these issues based on their potential impact on the business, stakeholder value and interests, and alignment with strategic goals form the final steps.

Chasing every sustainability trend can dilute focus and resources. Sometimes, the most impactful strategy is to prioritise fewer, high-stakes sustainability issues that align closely with your client’s core business and market position, rather than trying to address every possible concern. This targeted approach can drive deeper, more meaningful change and avoid the risk of spreading efforts too thin.

In my experience, identifying and prioritizing sustainability topics for clients often begins with understanding their unique industry challenges. For instance, while working with a manufacturing client, we discovered that water usage was a critical issue. By conducting a thorough materiality assessment, we identified water conservation as a top priority. Implementing a framework like the GRI Standards helped us track progress and make informed decisions. Regular reviews ensured that our strategies remained relevant and impactful, leading to a 30% reduction in water consumption over three years.

Um exemplo seria uma empresa de tecnologia que, ao definir seus temas de sustentabilidade, inicialmente prioriza a redução de emissões de carbono e o uso eficiente de energia. Com o tempo, devido ao surgimento de novas regulamentações de privacidade de dados e à crescente demanda dos clientes por ética digital, a empresa ajusta suas prioridades. Ao revisar sua materialidade regularmente, a empresa inclui a governança de dados e a transparência como temas críticos, garantindo que suas iniciativas de sustentabilidade reflitam as mudanças no mercado e nas expectativas dos stakeholders.

A few not-so-common factors for materiality analysis are: Shifting Time Horizons: Move beyond short-term financial risks and consider the long-term impacts of environmental and social trends on your client's business. Future-Proofing Strategies: Develop future scenarios that explore potential disruptions like climate change, resource scarcity, or social unrest. These scenarios can help identify sustainability topics that might not be material today but could become critical in the future. Emerging Technologies: Explore how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, circular economy solutions, or renewable energy sources could disrupt your client's industry. Analyze the potential sustainability implications of these disruptions.

We use a tool called a materiality matrix to visualize these factors. It helps us identify the "sweet spot", the most material topics for your client.

For instance, a technology company would first emphasise energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction while designing its sustainability themes. The business modifies its goals over time in response to new data privacy laws and the increasing need for digital ethics from consumers. The organisation incorporates data governance and transparency as key issues into its regular materiality reviews, making sure that its sustainability activities take stakeholder expectations and market shifts into account.

X-Ray Vision (Stakeholder Input) - Use surveys and workshops to see what matters most to investors, employees, and communities. Super Hearing (Industry Analysis) - Listen up! See what sustainability issues are top of mind in your client's industry. Superpower Scan (Impact Assessment) - Identify the environmental and social impacts of their business. Is it their energy use or labor practices? By combining these tools, you can identify the shape-shifting villain (material topics) and prioritize the ones with the biggest impact on your client's cape (business) and the planet. Now THAT's a superhero move!

In one of my most rewarding projects, I helped a client in the construction sector identify sustainability topics that weren’t initially on their radar, such as community engagement and biodiversity preservation. By expanding our scope to include these aspects, we not only enhanced the company’s sustainability profile but also created positive social and environmental impacts in the communities where they operate. This experience underscored the importance of looking beyond traditional sustainability metrics and considering broader societal benefits.

Por exemplo, uma empresa do setor de energia pode inicialmente priorizar a redução de emissões de carbono, mas, com o tempo, novas regulamentações e avanços tecnológicos podem tornar a transição para fontes renováveis ainda mais urgente. Ao revisar regularmente seus temas de sustentabilidade, a empresa pode ajustar suas prioridades para incluir o desenvolvimento de energias limpas, garantindo que suas iniciativas permaneçam relevantes e alinhadas com as expectativas dos stakeholders e as demandas do mercado. Como você está adaptando suas estratégias de sustentabilidade a essas mudanças? Vamos discutir práticas eficazes.