This webinar, "Materiality Matters: Critical Step to Start Reporting," emphasizes the importance of materiality assessments as a foundational step for sustainability reporting. The discussion focuses on why and how companies should identify the sustainability topics that are most relevant to their business and stakeholders. The panel features experts from Socialsuite, Piedmont Lithium, and Monetta Gold, all of whom share their experiences with materiality and ESG reporting.

The webinar defines materiality as a threshold where corporate information becomes influential enough to impact the decision-making of stakeholders. The speakers note that while financial materiality focuses on the needs of investors, sustainability reporting considers a broader range of stakeholders including regulators, employees, and local communities.

The discussion covers the benefits of conducting materiality assessments, including stakeholder engagement, aligning corporate and sustainability strategies, and identifying risks and opportunities. It also addresses common challenges, such as managing surveys, analyzing results, and choosing between DIY and consultant-led assessments. The webinar provides tips for streamlining the materiality assessment process, emphasizing that a quick, informed assessment is better than none, and that involving a smaller group of stakeholders is acceptable. The presenters suggest using technology to make the process more efficient and affordable.

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