We recently brought together our portfolio sustainability leaders for a webinar exploring frequently asked portfolio questions. Hosted by Inflexion’s Sustainability Assistant Director, Bethan Casey, the session focused on two key areas: double materiality and supply chains. Sustainability experts from portfolio companies Aspen Pumps and Infront joined to share their practical experience and best practices. Key takeaways included:
Materiality
- Value beyond compliance: Using double materiality to identify opportunities such as new certifications, stronger sustainability communications and product differentiation can help position sustainability as a growth driver, not just a reporting requirement.
- Dynamic and decision useful: Treat your materiality assessment as a live tool. Revisit it regularly, feed in stakeholder input and use it to guide where you focus time, budget and internal resources.
- Build on existing data and lived experience: Start with what you already have, such as risk registers and customer questionnaires, then test and refine your view with a broad range of stakeholders to surface issues that may not appear in spreadsheets.
Supply chain
- Right-sized due diligence: Supply chain management should be proportionate to your business model and risk exposure, using practical tools and processes rather than costly systems where overall risk is relatively low.
- Seeing hidden risks: Even in lower risk sectors, mapping your supply chain can reveal blind spots in seemingly routine services such as cleaning, catering or facilities management where human rights issues could arise.
Thank you to our speakers for facilitating a constructive discussion.
