Stakeholder dialog and materiality analysis
We engage with our prioritized stakeholders1), including but not limited to our employees and investors, as part of our normal way of doing business.
Through internal channels, such as townhall meetings and intranet communications, we share examples of where we are and where we can make a difference in our focus areas. We also meet with sustainability representatives of various shareholders, to learn more about their issues, and to help them to better understand our efforts and rationale.
Ongoing discussions are held with our suppliers with regard to codes of conduct as well as topics related to our focus areas. We also are actively engaged with our customers, in helping to address mutual concerns and needs, including but not limited to relevant focus areas.
1) Employees, customers/retailers, consumers, suppliers, legislators/regulators and the scientific/health community as well as investors/financial analysts.
Assessing materiality
Swedish Match most recent materiality analysis was conducted in 2016 and formed the basis for our identified focus areas. The process was directed by the GMT. Key internal stakeholders, representing all divisions, as well as external stakeholders and expertise provided input to the analysis.
In 2016, a list of sustainability topics that could be considered when defining the most material issues to address for Swedish Match were identified from several sources, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and associated targets, UN Global Compact, GRI G4 framework. Out of 243 topics identified, 49 sustainability issues were considered the most potentially critical for Swedish Match and were assessed for materiality through a survey conducted by the GMT and a handful of key internal stakeholders. Materiality was assessed based on the severity of issues in the global context, the Company’s actual impact, our potential to directly or indirectly influence the issue, as well as its impact on the long term viability of our business. The results of the survey were presented and discussed by the GMT in May 2016 and led up to an agreement to focus the sustainability strategy on six areas – public health, ethical business practices, equal opportunity, greenhouse gases, waste, and child labor.
During 2020, Swedish Match plans to conduct a new materiality analysis and risk assessment to confirm and/or redefine current sustainability focus areas. Based on the reviewed materiality analysis, the Company will ensure that the confirmed/redefined focus areas are still in line with identified material SDGs and report on those going forward.
