ESG Materiality Analysis
A materiality analysis is above all an exercise in clarity:
- Identify what matters, that is, your material impacts on which to take action as a priority;
- Identify who matters, by including in your reflection the stakeholders most affected by your company.
The goal: to enable you to focus on what is important, where your efforts will create the most value.
Integration into your sustainability journey
01
Diagnosis
02
Measurement
03
Certification
04
Reports
Materiality analysis (or double materiality analysis) is now an essential step for any company looking to structure its ESG approach and anticipate regulatory developments. Our approach has been specially designed to make this exercise accessible to SMEs:
- Your teams are engaged in a participatory and engaging workshop to collectively consider the most important ESG issues.
- We then handle all calculations, analyses, matrices, and methodological reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with European standards.
For you, the process remains simple and understandable; for us, it is about ensuring the reliability, compliance, and strategic value of your results.
What is a materiality analysis?
A materiality analysis helps identify and prioritize the most important ESG (environmental, social, governance) issues for your company and your stakeholders.
It is based on two complementary perspectives:
Impact materiality
The impact of your company on the environment, society, and your stakeholders.
Financial materiality
The impact of ESG issues on your performance (risks, opportunities, costs, revenue, financing, etc.).
The intersection of these two approaches results in a clear and prioritized mapping, which becomes the foundation of your sustainability strategy and future reports (CSRD, VSME, B Corp, ShiftingPact®, ISO…).
At BetterBusiness, we have developed a three-level approach, so that every SME can engage progressively and in a way adapted to its realities. This gradual approach allows you to choose the most relevant level according to your challenges, resources, and ESG maturity, while progressing at your own pace towards a robust and credible approach.
SMA – Simple Impact Materiality
A first step focused on your company’s impact on the environment, society, and your stakeholders.
DMA – Adapted Double Materiality
A cross-analysis between your impacts and financial issues, inspired by the CSRD method but simplified for micro and small businesses.
DMA “CSRD” – Compliant Double Materiality
The full version, aligned with ESRS standards, including value chain mapping, extended consultation, and detailed methodological note.
Why conduct a materiality analysis?
ESG materiality analysis has become an essential step for any company looking to structure its sustainability approach, strengthen its credibility, and meet the expectations of its stakeholders. It allows you to take a step back, clarify your priorities, and focus on the issues that truly matter, both for your organization and for your partners.
At BetterBusiness, we view materiality as a strategic tool that helps you anticipate regulations, avoid greenwashing, and feed your CSR action plans in a targeted and transparent manner. It is also an increasing requirement from labels and reporting frameworks (B Corp, VSME, CSRD), as well as an evaluation criterion increasingly requested by major accounts, investors, and clients.
Methodology
1. Framing
Definition of the scope, selection of ESG topics, consideration of standards (CSRD, ESRS, GRI, ISO).
2. Workshop (co-construction)
Collaborative workshop with your teams, formalization of the value chain.
3. Stakeholder consultation
Surveys, interviews, and analyses to integrate their expectations and priorities.
4. Impact and risk analysis
Identification of material issues.
5. Mapping and prioritization
Development of a clear, visual, and educational materiality matrix.
6. Reporting and integration
Presentation of results and recommendations to integrate your ESG priorities into your strategy and governance.
Concrete results
Materiality matrix
(simple or double).
Strategic summary
Material issues, business implications, action options.
Methodological note
proportional (up to the audited version compliant with ESRS and ready for regulatory reporting).