In line with its vision to create sustainable shared value for all, Solvay bases its sustainability priorities on a materiality analysis. This approach identifies economic, environmental, and social aspects on which Solvay has the most impact, positive or negative. All the Group’s main risks are linked to materiality topics except safety and cyber-risks which are of moderate materiality because their impact on daily operations is limited – they become material only in case of harmful acts.
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Moderate materiality |
High materiality and Priorities |
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Governance |
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Climate |
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Resources |
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Better life |
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2020: emphasis on climate change, biodiversity and social aspects
- Material aspects have been categorized under Governance, Climate, Resources, Better Life to be consistent with the presentation of Solvay’s priorities in Solvay One Planet.
- Biodiversity has been moved up from “moderate materiality” to “high materiality and priority”. The evidence of stakeholder interest in this topic is strong enough for us to consider it a priority even if as of today, financial impact on Solvay is low.
- The list of priorities has been adapted, in line with the priorities of the Solvay One Planet sustainability ambition, which gave a greater focus on impacts.
- “Waste and Hazardous Materials” has been split in two distinctive aspects, respectively under Resources and Better Life.
The Covid-19 crisis confirmed the priorities defined during the Solvay One Planet preparative work, and in particular:
- An increased emphasis on climate change and biodiversity, with evidence of the link between human activities and the pandemic, and the changes in air quality during lockdown phases.
- An increased emphasis on social aspects, with evidence of minorities being the most vulnerable populations.