Aligning corporate strategies with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles is good business. To this end, materiality assessments play a pivotal role in crafting impactful ESG strategies. We outline five steps to leverage your materiality assessment results into action. Our steps identify key issues, align them with ESG priorities, and foster transparency within organizations. Read on to learn how to get the most out of your materiality assessment. 

• Interpreting Materiality Assessment Results
• Aligning Material Issues to ESG Priorities
• Communicating Materiality Insights
• Using Best Practices for Managing Material Issues 
• Monitoring Future Trends in Materiality and ESG 

Step 1: Interpreting Materiality Assessment Results 

There are many paths to a materiality assessment. Some companies conduct materiality assessments in-house, while others rely on external resources like software or consultants. Factors driving the approach include the expertise of those participating in the assessment, their bandwidth, and budget. Consultants are often hired and can offer valuable assistance in ensuring a comprehensive analysis.  

Regardless of the approach used, you’ll want to conduct a thorough review of the materiality assessment results. A crucial aspect of identifying material issues involves examining internal and external stakeholder priorities. By considering the insights gathered from internal and external stakeholders, organizations can gain a holistic understanding of material issues and their significance. 

It’s important to discern any discrepancies or commonalities between internal and external stakeholder issues. Differing material issues from these groups is common. Identifying the alignment and disparities enables organizations to refine their sustainability strategies effectively. This analysis should serve as a foundation for developing targeted initiatives that address the most pressing issues while aligning with stakeholder expectations and organizational objectives. 

Step 2: Aligning Material Issues to ESG Priorities

In this phase of the process, you’ll navigate one of two potential paths dictated by your organization’s current sustainability strategy status. If you’ve already implemented sustainability programs, the materiality assessment becomes instrumental in validating your existing initiatives. It can also pinpoint areas for further refinement or identify newly surfaced material issues. It’s common for external stakeholder feedback to shed light on issues not previously identified through internal assessments, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive assessment. 

Alternatively, for organizations yet to establish an ESG strategy, you can leverage your materiality assessment as the cornerstone for building your inaugural roadmap. Prioritizing the most significant material issues identified by both internal and external stakeholders lays the groundwork for this strategy. Furthermore, it’s essential to review your company’s overarching sustainability objectives. Ensure they align with the insights gleaned from the materiality assessment. This alignment guarantees that your strategic direction is firmly rooted in addressing the most pertinent concerns highlighted during the assessment. 

Step 3: Transparency Matters: Communicating Materiality Insights 

As with all strategic imperatives, communication is key. Your next step is to share the results of the materiality assessment with company leadership and the board. This communication should include proposals for initiatives, programs, and potential funding required to address the highest-ranked material issues. Securing buy-in from the board and leadership helps facilitate funding and resource gaps and also ensures alignment with stakeholder expectations and compliance requirements. 

Many organizations opt to make all or part of their materiality assessment public, often through channels like a dedicated webpage on the company’s website or within their annual sustainability report. Publicly sharing the assessment results, along with associated initiatives and actions, demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability. This transparency fosters trust and credibility among stakeholders and the public. 

However, it’s worth noting that some companies may choose to keep materiality information confidential. It’s crucial to secure leadership support as the information may be considered sensitive. Collaborating with your leadership and internal communications team is essential to determine the appropriate level of content disclosure and the optimal method of presentation. Common presentation formats include a list of material topics or a visual matrix format. This strategic approach ensures that materiality insights are communicated effectively while maintaining organizational confidentiality and integrity. 

Step 4: Using Best Practices for Managing Material Issues

After securing board and leadership buy-in, identify initiatives and programs that support progress in critical areas. This can be accomplished with in-house expertise, external consultants, or by utilizing AI-enabled software solutions like Ensogo. Transparency is key in cultivating a culture of sustainability. Your strategy should provide a clear overview of your material issues, goals, programs, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to stakeholders with access. This transparency promotes alignment and accountability across the organization. 

Accountability also plays a crucial role in managing material issues and driving progress. Establishing owners for initiatives or programs allows for effective monitoring and reporting of progress. Regular monitoring ensures that the company remains on track to meet its sustainability goals and commitments, fostering trust and credibility among stakeholders. 

Furthermore, continuous improvement is essential in adapting to evolving materiality. Material issues may change over time. Therefore, it’s imperative to refresh both the materiality assessment and the strategy regularly. Industry leaders often reassess their material issues and strategies every two years to stay responsive to changing stakeholder expectations and emerging sustainability trends. This iterative approach ensures that the organization remains agile and proactive in addressing evolving sustainability challenges. 

Step 5: Monitoring Future Trends in Materiality and ESG 

Looking forward, emerging trends in materiality assessments suggest a significant shift driven by regulatory changes, particularly within the context of the Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD). While voluntary frameworks have long emphasized the importance of materiality assessments, the latest development involves the CSRD mandating such assessments for evaluating sustainability impacts, opportunities, and risks. This regulation signals a broader trend towards materiality assessments in the future. As regulations and frameworks evolve to address growing concerns around sustainability and ESG factors, materiality assessments will become a central component in ensuring transparency and accountability in corporate reporting. 

Moving Forward

When you leverage your materiality assessment for an impactful ESG strategy, you identify key material issues and align them with their ESG priorities effectively. Transparent communication of materiality insights to company leadership and stakeholders is crucial for garnering support and fostering trust in sustainability initiatives.   

Monitoring future trends in materiality and ESG, particularly regarding regulatory changes like the CSRD, will be essential for staying ahead of the curve and maintaining compliance while driving sustainable business practices. By following these steps and remaining proactive in addressing emerging trends, organizations can leverage their materiality assessments to not only enhance their ESG strategies but also demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship. 

About the Author

Jennifer Debias leads business development, sales, and marketing at Ensogo, working with ESG and EHS professionals to optimize their sustainability strategies with technology. She has more than 15 years in EHS&S leadership experience in global facilities operations, construction, regulatory compliance, and software. Before joining Ensogo, Jennifer served as EHS Director for AECOM, Director of Business Development at RegScan, and ESG product specialist at Intelex.