Understanding Materiality
Materiality is the most common tool used by Sustainability practitioners today. From it's origin in Sustainability Accounting, to measurement and reporting standards, regulations and frameworks, materiality is a useful process to understand, prioritise and make the case for sustainability initiatives.
Cut through the regulation, framework or standard
Materiality is about understanding what truly matters.
It’s the process of pinpointing and prioritising the sustainability issues that have the greatest impact on our business, our stakeholders, and the world around us. These are the areas that shape performance, influence decisions, and drive long-term value.
Financial materiality
highlights the sustainability factors that directly shape a company’s financial success, such as influencing growth, profitability, and investor confidence through their impact on revenue, costs, and long-term value.
Impact materiality
is about understanding the difference a business makes in the real world, from it's operational, product or supply chain carbon emissions, human rights, biodiversity, and community wellbeing to fair labour practices. It’s how we recognise our possible impact and take action where it truly counts, creating positive change for society and the environment.
Understand and manage materiality with Rio
Materiality is relevant to many global Sustainability regulations, frameworks and standards - depending where you are located
Find out more about the UK Government Streamlined Energy Carbon and Reporting
Find our more about the FCA Sustainability Disclosure Regime
Find out more about the UK Government Climate Financial Disclosure
Find our more about the International Sustainability Standards Board
The Rio roundup
We believe sustainability is for everyone. Read our free breakdown of the latest global sustainability trends.