What is financial materiality?

Financial materiality is a crucial part of modern corporate reporting. It involves identifying and assessing factors that can impact a company's financial performance, making it an important concept for both companies and investors. In recent years, the focus on financial materiality has grown significantly, driven by changes in the business landscape and the recognition of its strategic importance in achieving long-term sustainability and attracting investment.

👉 What is financial materiality and why is it central to business success?

Financial materiality definition

Financial materiality is a fundamental concept rooted in the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). It plays an important role in evaluating the importance of different factors that have the potential to influence a company's financial performance. 

💡 To be considered financially material, a factor or sustainability aspect must have the potential to either positively or negatively impact a company's cash flow generation and revenue growth.

In recent years, the importance of financial materiality has grown significantly, driven by a notable shift in the business landscape. Thousands of publicly listed companies worldwide have started measuring, managing, and reporting on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues. 

Several key drivers have contributed to this heightened focus on ESG factors. Firstly, companies themselves have recognised the inherent value of integrating ESG considerations into their operations. Secondly, external pressures from stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), activists, and regulatory bodies, have intensified, putting pressure on companies to disclose their sustainability practices. Lastly, investment funds are increasingly factoring financially material ESG issues into their investment processes, and taking them into consideration when assessing the risk and return profiles of asset classes. 

Why financial materiality is important

For companies

Financial materiality acts as a guiding strategy for organisations. It involves the identification of ESG considerations that have a direct bearing on a company's financial outcomes. Addressing these material ESG factors allows companies to mitigate risks, seize opportunities, and enhance their long-term sustainability. Prioritising financial materiality can lead to increased shareholder value, improved access to capital, and heightened competitiveness in the market.

For investors

Investors give significant weight to financial materiality when they make investment decisions. They recognise that ESG factors, when financially material, can impact the value of their investments. Understanding financial materiality is essential for assessing the potential risks and opportunities associated with a company's ESG practices. Informed investment choices are driven by a deep understanding of how ESG factors can influence financial performance and shareholder returns.

Financial materiality 

Financial materiality centres on factors directly influencing a company's financial performance. These are aspects capable of significantly swaying investors' decisions and financial metrics, such as cash flow, revenue growth, and profitability.

Real-world example: Consider a manufacturing company that drastically cuts energy consumption through sustainable practices and technologies. This leads to substantial cost savings, thereby improving profitability - a clear illustration of financial materiality.

Impact materiality

Impact materiality on the other hand, delves into the broader societal and environmental repercussions of a company's actions. It assesses how a company's operations affect various stakeholders, including communities, ecosystems, and society at large. Impact materiality encompasses the non-financial facets of sustainability.

Real-world example: Take a tech company actively promoting diversity and inclusion in its workforce, creating a more equitable workplace. While this initiative may not immediately impact financial statements, it generates a positive societal effect by fostering inclusivity - an example of impact materiality.

The importance of both financial and impact materiality

Financial materiality and impact materiality complement each other within ESG reporting. While financial materiality is closely tied to traditional financial metrics, impact materiality addresses the broader implications of a company's actions.

To achieve comprehensive ESG reporting, both dimensions should be considered. Neglecting impact materiality can result in an incomplete understanding of a company's sustainability performance, potentially overlooking vital societal or environmental risks.

On the other hand, dismissing financial materiality can undermine an organisation's ability to attract investors and maintain financial stability. Investors, particularly those integrating ESG criteria into their decisions, place substantial weight on financial materiality.

The concept of double materiality assessment

The concept of double materiality acknowledges that sustainability factors can impact not only the company's financial performance (financial materiality) but also the broader economy and society (impact materiality).

The double materiality assessment requires companies to evaluate the materiality of sustainability factors from both perspectives. It entails assessing how sustainability issues may affect the company financially (traditional financial materiality) and how the same issues may have broader societal or systemic implications (impact materiality).

By adopting a double materiality approach, companies can provide a more holistic view of their sustainability risks and opportunities. This approach aligns with the evolving landscape of ESG reporting, where investors and stakeholders are increasingly interested in understanding not only the financial materiality but also the societal and environmental impact of corporate activities.

💡 Double materiality is a central concept in the EU’s CSRD framework. To learn more about double materiality head over to our article.

The assessment of financial materiality in ESG reporting is a crucial step in determining which sustainability factors significantly impact a company's financial performance. This process is essential for effective ESG disclosure and transparency, enabling companies to communicate their sustainability efforts to investors and stakeholders accurately.

Key factors and criteria

• Impact on financial performance - The primary criteria for assessing financial materiality is evaluating how an ESG factor affects a company's financial health. Factors that can impact cash flow, revenue growth, profitability, and overall financial stability are considered to be financially material.
  
• Investor relevance - Factors that investors consider important in their decision-making process are often regarded as financially material. Investors place substantial emphasis on sustainability factors that can influence the risk-return profile of their investments.
  
• Industry relevance - The sector-specific nature of materiality assessments is vital. What may be financially material for one industry may not hold the same significance for another. Therefore, companies must consider industry-specific standards and benchmarks when assessing materiality.
  
• Regulatory environment - Companies must take into account relevant regulations and reporting requirements in their assessment. Compliance with these regulations ensures that financial materiality assessments align with legal expectations.
  

Sector-specific materiality

Financial materiality assessments are inherently sector-specific due to the diverse nature of industries. Factors that significantly affect a technology company's financial performance may not be as relevant to a manufacturing or energy company for example. As a result, companies must adopt a customised approach when evaluating financial materiality.

💡 Consider the energy sector and a technology company. For the energy company, carbon emissions and regulatory compliance are likely financially material factors due to their direct impact on operational costs, potential fines, and market reputation. On the other hand, for the technology firm, issues like data security and privacy may carry more importance, affecting consumer trust, legal liabilities, and revenue streams.

How to conduct a financial materiality assessment: 

• Identify key stakeholders - Begin by identifying the stakeholders relevant to your company. These stakeholders can include investors, customers, employees, regulators, communities, etc.
• Gather ESG data - Collect comprehensive ESG data related to your operations. This data can encompass a wide range of metrics, from energy consumption and carbon emissions to workforce diversity and governance practices.
• Analyse financial implications - Evaluate how each ESG metric may impact your company's financial performance. Consider factors such as cost savings, revenue generation, operational efficiencies, and potential risks.
• Prioritise material issues - Not every ESG metric will have the same level of financial impact. Prioritise the issues that are financially material based on their potential to affect cash flow, revenue growth, and profitability.
• Engage with stakeholders - Engage in conversations with key stakeholders to gain insights into their perspectives on financial materiality. This can include conducting surveys or holding meetings.
• Review industry standards - Refer to industry-specific ESG reporting standards and frameworks, such as those provided by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), to ensure alignment with sector-specific expectations.
• Conduct materiality assessments - Perform materiality assessments to determine which ESG issues are financially material for your company. These assessments often involve scoring or ranking each issue based on financial significance.
• Report transparently - In your ESG reports, clearly disclose the financially material ESG issues that you have identified. Provide relevant data, analysis, and insights to facilitate understanding among stakeholders.

ESG reporting standards, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), provide frameworks that guide companies in their financial materiality assessments. These standards help define the scope of ESG reporting and identify specific factors that should be considered.

Companies can leverage these standards to ensure their financial materiality assessments align with industry best practices and regulatory expectations. Additionally, these standards facilitate comparability among companies within the same sector, aiding investors and stakeholders in evaluating performance.

Incorporating financial materiality

One of the fundamental aspects of these frameworks is the incorporation of financial materiality considerations into sustainability reporting. While sustainability reporting traditionally focuses on non-financial aspects, the CSRD and ESRS recognise the significance of financial materiality in assessing a company's overall sustainability performance.

💡 Companies subject to the CSRD are required to file annual reports that go beyond financial metrics. These reports must encompass how sustainability influences their business and the company's impact on people and the environment.

👉 Learn more about the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive on our blog. 

Promoting comprehensive ESG reporting

Both the CSRD and ESRS play a pivotal role in promoting comprehensive ESG reporting in the European context. By integrating financial materiality considerations and striving for standardisation, these frameworks aim to provide investors and stakeholders with a holistic view of a company's sustainability performance. They emphasise that sustainability reporting is not just about environmental and societal impact but also about financial stability and transparency

While financial materiality is often discussed in the context of compliance with reporting standards like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), its impact extends far beyond regulatory requirements. Financial materiality plays a pivotal role in shaping various aspects of a company's operations and interactions with stakeholders. 

Influencing investment decisions and capital allocation

Financial materiality has a significant influence on investment decisions and capital allocation. Investors, particularly institutional investors, consider financial materiality factors as crucial indicators of a company's risk and return profile. Companies that effectively address financially material issues are more likely to attract investment, enhancing their access to capital for growth and expansion.

Enhancing financial resilience

Financial materiality also serves as a critical tool for enhancing a company's financial resilience. By identifying and addressing factors that can impact cash flow, revenue growth, and profitability, companies can mitigate financial risks. This proactive approach is particularly valuable in times of economic uncertainty, where the ability to endure financial challenges becomes a competitive advantage.

Reputation and investor confidence

Robust financial materiality assessments contribute to building a positive reputation and investor confidence. Companies that are transparent about their financial material risks and opportunities demonstrate a commitment to sound governance practices. This transparency fosters trust among stakeholders, including shareholders, analysts, and regulators, leading to increased investor confidence and potentially higher stock valuations.

Competitive advantage

Financial materiality considerations provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Companies that effectively manage financial material factors can optimise their operations, reduce costs, and identify revenue-generating opportunities. This efficiency and profitability can translate into a competitive edge, enabling them to outperform competitors.

Global Recognition and investment attraction

Internationally, companies that address their financial materiality issues gain global recognition and become attractive investment targets. Their ability to demonstrate a deep understanding of the financial implications of sustainability and governance practices helps set them apart. This recognition can result in inclusion in investment portfolios that prioritise financially sustainable companies.

At Greenly we can help you to assess your company’s carbon footprint, and then give you the tools you need to cut down on emissions. Why not request a free demo with one of our experts - no obligation or commitment required. 

If reading this article has inspired you to consider your company’s own carbon footprint, Greenly can help. Learn more about Greenly’s carbon management platform here.