Stakeholder dialog and materiality analysis
We engage with our prioritized stakeholders, 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, for example, 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.
Assessing materiality
Our most recent stakeholder survey (with customers, consumers, suppliers, employees, the financial and scientific communities, as well as regulators) on sustainability topics was conducted in 2015. Results from the survey provided important input to a materiality analysis conducted in 2016. The process, resulting in our focus areas, was directed by the Group Management Team. Key internal stakeholders representing a wide range of departments and different operating units were involved and external expertise was consulted. Relevant sustainability frameworks1) were consulted in the process to define the issues that are material to Swedish Match. Materiality was assessed on the basis of 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.
1) Frameworks referred to include the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Global Compact, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the GRI Standards framework.
