Framework:CR, a leading sustainability strategy and communications consultancy, has published the findings of new research on the use - and disregard - of materiality analysis by companies recognized as sustainability leaders.

As detailed in a five-part blog series on the firm's website, Framework:CR examined the sustainability reports of Corporate Responsibility magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" of 2010. They found that less than 50 percent of the companies conducted a materiality analysis, and only half of those used the results to shape their sustainability reports. Fewer than one in ten companies that conducted materiality analyses aligned their 10K financial disclosures with identified material issues. Full results can be downloaded at Framework:CR.

"Corporations large and small are beginning to view a broad range of environmental, social, and governance issues as business imperatives," said Aleksandra Dobkowski-Joy, principal at Framework:CR. "Yet many recognized sustainability leaders have yet to take advantage of materiality analysis to prioritize their issues and identify those most important to their business success. As such, they are overlooking a significant opportunity to chart a more viable path to a sustainable business future."

Added Framework:CR founder and CEO Kathee Rebernak, "Materiality has long been a key component of companies' financial disclosures. Investors have generally broadened their concept of what's material, and many companies are seeking ways to meet their growing information needs. Materiality analysis can play an important role in not only reporting, which places performance in the broader societal context, but also in strategic planning."

Webcast to present research results and conclusions

Framework:CR announced that it will host a free webcast, "Materiality Analysis: A Path to Strategic Sustainability," on Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 12-1pm EST. There, Ms. Dobkowski-Joy will present and lead a discussion of the background, rationale, and results of the research. Ms. Rebernak will also speak on the implications for companies wishing to move toward integrated financial and sustainability reporting.

The webcast is open to all and will interest executives and managers with oversight for sustainability, corporate responsibility, reporting, and communications as well as those responsible for enterprise risk management, stakeholder engagement, investor relations, and reputation and brand management.

Please click here to register for the webcast.

Framework:CR

Framework:CR

Framework:CR has partnered with clients over the past decade to strategically address and improve their environmental, social, and governance performance in ways that build business and brand value, cut costs, and enhance profitability. We help clients understand how they perform relative to their competitors and the expectations of key stakeholders, and we offer guidance and tools to facilitate their transition to better and more sustainable business practices.

Our value to clients lies in our

• big picture perspective;
• keen understanding of the relationship between sustainability
  performance and business value;
• broad experience with different sectors and corporate cultures;
• flexibility and responsiveness; and
• ability to raise awareness and influence organizational change.

In addition to providing strategic counsel, Framework produces, and advises clients in the development of responsive, balanced, award-winning sustainability communications. Our deep understanding of the interrelationship between sustainability and financial performance enables us to help clients navigate complex standards, identify and apply best practices, and accelerate progress toward fully integrated strategic planning, risk management, and reporting.

Framework is an organizational stakeholder of the Global Reporting Initiative and a woman-owned business certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council.

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