Materiality Matrix: Why does every business create one? – 2025

7 May, 2024

How can a materiality matrix help your business?

In today’s business landscape, corporate sustainability has become increasingly important. Companies must address various ESG issues, from climate change and supply chain transparency to human rights and diversity. However, with limited resources and competing priorities, organizations need a systematic approach to identify and prioritize these issues. The materiality matrix plays a crucial role in this process by providing a structured framework for assessing and prioritizing ESG issues.


What is a Materiality Matrix?

A materiality matrix is a visual representation tool used in corporate sustainability reporting to prioritize and manage environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. It provides a structured framework for assessing the significance of various sustainability factors to a company and its stakeholders.

By mapping out material issues based on their importance and impact, it helps organizations focus on the areas that matter most.

Check out this detailed blog about materiality assessment.


Table of contents


Breaking down a materiality matrix

Materiality Matrix of Coca-Cola HBC

Coca-Cola HBC (Hellenic Bottling Company) is one of the largest bottlers of The Coca-Cola Company’s products. It operates in 28 countries, serving over 600 million consumers. The company produces, sells, and distributes a wide range of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages including sparkling soft drinks, water, juices, energy drinks, and sports drinks.

 

A Materiality Matrix typically consists of a grid or chart that maps out key ESG issues based on their importance and impact. The matrix visually displays the relationship between the significance of each issue to the company and its stakeholders, helping organizations identify the most critical sustainability challenges.

Each axis of the matrix represents different dimensions of materiality. The horizontal axis often represents the importance of the issue to the company’s business strategy or financial performance, while the vertical axis represents the significance of the issue to stakeholders, such as investors, customers, employees, and communities.

The matrix employs various symbols or colours to indicate the position of each ESG issue within the matrix grid. Stakeholders consider issues located in the top-right quadrant the most material because they have both significant stakeholder interest and a high impact on the company’s business. Conversely, issues in the bottom-left quadrant are less material and may require less immediate attention.

Overall, it provides a visual framework for organizations to prioritize their sustainability efforts, allocate resources effectively, and communicate their sustainability performance transparently to stakeholders. This matrix serves as a valuable tool for decision-making, strategic planning, and reporting in corporate sustainability initiatives.


Benefits of Using a Materiality Matrix

The materiality matrix offers several advantages for organizations seeking to enhance their sustainability reporting and management practices:

  1. Enhanced Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement:
    • This Matrix provides a transparent and systematic approach to identifying and prioritizing ESG issues. By clearly articulating which issues are most significant to the company and its stakeholders, the matrix promotes transparency and builds trust with investors, customers, employees, and other stakeholders. Moreover, involving stakeholders in the materiality assessment process fosters engagement and ensures that their perspectives are considered in decision-making.
  2. Better Strategic Decision-Making:
    • The Matrix enables organizations to make informed strategic decisions about their sustainability priorities. By mapping out material issues based on their importance and impact, companies can focus their efforts on areas that align with their business strategy and stakeholder expectations. This strategic alignment helps organizations allocate resources effectively and drive meaningful progress toward sustainability goals.
  3. Identification and Management of ESG Risks:
    • Materiality Matrix facilitates the identification and management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks. By systematically assessing the significance of various sustainability factors, companies can prioritize risk mitigation efforts and enhance resilience against emerging challenges. It also helps organizations proactively address stakeholder concerns and regulatory requirements related to ESG issues.

Key Components of the Matrix

A matrix typically consists of the following essential components:

  1. Material Issues:
    • Material issues refer to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors that are significant to the company and its stakeholders. These issues may include climate change, human rights, labour practices, product safety, and diversity, among others. The matrix identifies and prioritises these issues based on their relevance to the organization’s business strategy and stakeholder expectations.
  2. Stakeholder Relevance:
    • Stakeholder relevance assesses the importance of each material issue to various stakeholder groups, such as investors, customers, employees, suppliers, and communities. Understanding stakeholder perspectives helps companies prioritize their sustainability efforts and address the concerns of key stakeholders effectively.
  3. Business Impact:
    • Business impact evaluates the potential financial, operational, and reputational impacts of each material issue on the company. This component considers factors such as regulatory compliance, market opportunities, competitive advantage, brand reputation, and long-term sustainability performance.

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Mapping Components onto the Matrix Grid

In a materiality matrix, stakeholders typically map material issues onto a two-dimensional grid or chart based on their relevance to stakeholders and their impact on the business. They position issues with high stakeholder relevance and significant business impact in the top-right quadrant of the matrix, indicating their importance to both the company and its stakeholders. Issues with low stakeholder relevance and minimal business impact reside in the bottom-left quadrant, suggesting they may need less immediate attention. This visual representation assists organizations in prioritizing their sustainability efforts and concentrating on addressing the most critical ESG issues.

Overall, it serves as a valuable tool for enhancing transparency, stakeholder engagement, strategic decision-making, and ESG risk management in corporate sustainability initiatives. By systematically assessing and prioritizing material issues, companies can drive positive change, mitigate risks, and create long-term value for all stakeholders.

Materiality Matrix European Space Agency 2024

European Space Agency Matrix


How to Create and Interpret a Materiality Matrix

Creating and interpreting a materiality matrix involves several key steps:

1. Identifying Material Issues and Stakeholders

Begin by identifying the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues that are material to your organization. Consider input from various stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, suppliers, and communities. Conduct stakeholder engagement sessions, surveys, interviews, and workshops to gather diverse perspectives on sustainability priorities.

2. Gathering Data and Input

Collect relevant data and information to assess the significance of each material issue. This may include financial data, performance metrics, industry benchmarks, regulatory requirements, stakeholder feedback, and market trends. Use qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the data and identify key trends, challenges, and opportunities related to sustainability.

3. Prioritising Issues and Mapping Them Into the Matrix

Prioritise material issues based on their stakeholder relevance and business impact. Stakeholder relevance assesses the importance of each issue to various stakeholder groups, while business impact evaluates the potential financial, operational, and reputational impacts. Map the prioritised issues onto the matrix grid, positioning those with high stakeholder relevance and significant business impact in the top-right quadrant.

4. Interpreting the Matrix and Using it to Inform Sustainability Strategies

Interpret the matrix by analysing the positioning of each issue within the grid. Focus on understanding which issues are most material to the company and its stakeholders. Use the matrix to inform strategic decision-making, prioritise sustainability initiatives, and allocate resources effectively. Communicate the results of the materiality assessment transparently through sustainability reports, corporate websites, and other communication channels.


Examples of Materiality Matrix

AMD Materiality Matrix

Founded in 1969, AMD has been a key player in the semiconductor industry, particularly in the market for central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs).

AMD CPUs and GPUs are widely used in various devices, including desktop and laptop computers, gaming consoles, servers, and embedded systems. In recent years, AMD has gained significant market share and recognition for its Ryzen series of desktop and laptop CPUs, as well as its Radeon series of graphics cards.

AMD Materiality Matrix

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ALDI Materiality Matrix

Aldi is a global discount supermarket chain with stores in several countries around the world. It is known for its no-frills approach to retailing, offering a limited selection of products at low prices.

ALDI Materiality Matrix

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Cisco Materiality Matrix

Cisco Systems, Inc. is a multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in San Jose, California, USA. It is primarily known for designing, manufacturing, and selling networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and other high-technology services and products.

Cisco Materiality Assessment Report

For more examples check our blog on Materiality Assessment


FAQs

What is a materiality matrix?

A materiality matrix is a visual tool used by companies to prioritise and manage environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues based on their significance and impact.

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Why do companies use a materiality matrix?

Materiality matrix helps companies identify key sustainability issues, prioritise efforts, and communicate transparently with stakeholders.

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How is materiality matrix created?

Materiality matrix is created by mapping out material issues based on stakeholder relevance and business impact, typically using a two-dimensional grid.

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What are the benefits of using a materiality matrix?

Using a materiality matrix enhances transparency, aids decision-making, and helps companies focus on issues that matter most to stakeholders and the business.

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How do you plot a materiality matrix?

To plot a materiality matrix, begin by identifying key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Then, assess the significance of each issue based on stakeholder relevance and business impact. Plot the prioritised issues on a two-dimensional grid, with stakeholder relevance on one axis and business impact on the other. Issues with high stakeholder relevance and significant business impact should be positioned in the top-right quadrant of the matrix. Use symbols, colours, or labels to visually represent the position of each issue within the matrix. Regularly review and update the materiality matrix to reflect changes in priorities and stakeholder expectations.


 

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