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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

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The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Featured Pathways

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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

More pathways

Book a demo

Ready to get started?

Our Platform

Expert led content

+1,000 expert presented, on-demand video modules

Learning analytics

Keep track of learning progress with our comprehensive data

Interactive learning

Engage with our video hotspots and knowledge check-ins

Testing & certification

Gain CPD / CPE credits and professional certification

Managed learning

Build, scale and manage your organisation’s learning

Integrations

Connect Sustainability Unlocked to your current platform

Featured Content

More featured content

The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

More featured content

Book a demo

Ready to get started?

Book a demo

Ready to get started?

Single vs Double Materiality

Single vs Double Materiality

Wayne Mayer

30 years: Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Executive

In this video, Wayne breaks down single and double materiality, highlighting how they help companies balance financial performance with societal impact. He explains how double materiality assessments align business strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting better risk management, innovation, and sustainable growth.

In this video, Wayne breaks down single and double materiality, highlighting how they help companies balance financial performance with societal impact. He explains how double materiality assessments align business strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting better risk management, innovation, and sustainable growth.

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Single vs Double Materiality

14 mins 9 secs

Key learning objectives:

  • Understand the distinctions between single and double materiality

  • Understand how to conduct a double materiality assessment to align business practices with sustainability goals

  • Identify how companies can integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their materiality assessments

Overview:

Single and double materiality are essential concepts for balancing financial performance with broader societal impact. Single materiality focuses on how ESG issues affect a company's financial outcomes, while double materiality considers the company's impact on society and the environment. Conducting double materiality assessments enables businesses to align their strategies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring they meet stakeholder expectations, mitigate risks, and leverage new opportunities for sustainable growth.

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Summary
What is single materiality and how does it differ from double materiality?

Single materiality focuses on how ESG issues impact a company’s financial performance, making it a tool for identifying risks that could affect profitability. In contrast, double materiality assesses both the financial impact on the company and the company’s broader impact on society and the environment. This dual approach provides a more comprehensive view of a company's sustainability performance, aligning it with stakeholder expectations.

How do companies use double materiality to enhance their sustainability strategies?

Companies like Unilever use double materiality assessments to identify key ESG issues that matter to both their business and their stakeholders. By considering both inside-out and outside-in impacts, these companies can align their sustainability goals with broader societal objectives, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This approach not only mitigates risks but also opens up new opportunities for innovation and value creation.

Why are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) important in materiality assessments?

The UN Sustainable Development Goals provide a comprehensive framework for addressing global sustainability challenges. By aligning materiality assessments with the SDGs, businesses can ensure that their operations contribute to broader societal goals while also enhancing their long-term strategic planning and risk management.

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Wayne Mayer

Wayne Mayer

Wayne Mayer, a Strategic Sustainability consultant and CEO of When Everything Matters, advises multinational companies and non-governmental organizations on various Sustainability and ESG issues. He helps companies transform business models into sustainable development partnerships, using Sustainability principles and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices to drive innovation, growth, and profits. With over 20 years of experience, Wayne has worked as a change agent focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance performance. He helps companies set science-based goals and leverage data and technology to measure, monitor, and communicate ESG risks, impacts, and opportunities.

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