Materiality Assessment
To focus our efforts on where we have the greatest sustainability impact, extensive materiality assessment of both legacy DNV and GL were conducted in 2012/2013. The assessments involved engaging a range of internal and external stakeholders (customers, civil society organisations, industry associations and employees) to identify areas that may become a source of risk, and where there is an opportunity for creating value for our stakeholders and society at large.
The Assessment Process
Broad consultation was performed to ensure that the views of significant stakeholders were heard. We asked stakeholders to provide their views on how various sustainability issues can impact for instance local communities, the environment, health and safety, the brand, our operations and financial performance.
The consolidated findings from the materiality assessment shows that the issues considered to be material for legacy DNV and legacy GL are highly comparable. The conclusion from the assessments, presented in the DNV GL Sustainability Materiality Matrix help us prioritize issues and risks that need active management and engagement, as well as determine the focus of our sustainability reporting. The highest priority is put on the issues rated as highly important by external and/or internal stakeholders. The Sustainability Matrix is reviewed by the Corporate Sustainability Board and approved by the Group Chief Executive Officer.
GRI material aspects and boundaries
The issues identified as highly material in the matrix form the basis for selecting GRI Aspects and indicators in our sustainability report.
All Aspects rated by external stakeholders as highly material is reported in accordance with the GRI G4 “Comprehensive” level. For issues that are rated as medium importance, reporting may not be in accordance with the “Comprehensive” level, where we have selected the most relevant parameters and GRI indicators for additional reporting.
The table lists issues from the Sustainability Matrix, the corresponding GRI Aspects and whether their impacts are seen to occur inside or outside the company. As a company operating in more than 100 countries we approach our sustainability impact from a global perspective.
