Materiality Assessment – Review and Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals

In March 2018, GeSI published an updated materiality assessment for the ICT industry, continuing its long-standing commitment to guiding sustainability strategies in the sector. This report builds on GeSI’s initial 2008 assessment and the 2014 review, which was commissioned in response to the rapid evolution of the ICT industry and its growing influence on global sustainability. Materiality assessments are essential for aligning sustainability strategies, reporting, and stakeholder engagement, making this sector-wide review particularly valuable. The 2018 assessment, developed with input from GeSI members’ own materiality exercises and extensive stakeholder feedback, reflects the continued relevance of issues like data security, product/service quality, privacy, and climate change, alongside two emerging focus areas—disruptive forces and the social impact of ICT products and services.

The 2018 materiality matrix, updated by independent expert Chris Tuppen from Advancing Sustainability, remains an invaluable resource for GeSI members. It helps inform their sustainability and business development decisions, aligning their efforts with global priorities such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which GeSI adopted in 2016.  This assessment provided critical insights to shape the organization’s future strategies, ensuring it continues to lead the ICT industry in harnessing the potential of digital transformation for sustainable development.