Algar Telecom’s sustainability strategy and the contents of this report are guided by our materiality matrix. It helps us identify and prioritize material issues and impacts involving our business.
Concerning the report, by identifying priority issues, we ensure that the GRI reporting principles are upheld and used in the entire process of determining its contents.
Our materiality matrix is sporadically updated. In 2021, the process of reviewing it comprised benchmarking studies of industry analyses and internal documents, which, along with interviews with Company executives, gave rise to a list of issues that was used in the online consultation with internal and external stakeholders. These stakeholders were selected based on the impacts that we have on each stakeholder or that they have on us in our business, with the “stakeholder-inclusive” principle thus applied.
In addition to the Company’s associates, 100% of whom were contacted for this purpose, shareholders, investors, franchises, business partners, suppliers and regulatory agencies designated by the Company’s areas took part in the online consultation. Specifically with respect to customers, we selected representatives of each business segment. Besides these stakeholders, we also consulted with industry experts and member of the industry media, as well as the Company’s executive board and board of directors, so that the issues chosen to be covered by the document took into consideration the assessments of all relevant stakeholders.
The “Materiality” principle was also included in the process, by prioritizing topics that reflect the most significant economic, environmental and social impacts of the business, taking into consideration the assessments and decisions of all stakeholders consulted.
The cross-referencing of material issues with related indicators contextualizes our sustainability performance and upholds the “Context of Sustainability” principle. To ensure the “Completeness” principle is upheld as well, a GRI management approach indicator was applied to all material issues, ensuring the boundaries and Management’s explanation of the issues are addressed according to the GRI.
Descriptions of impacts related to material issues and our engagement in addressing them are provided in the study of boundaries.
During the year we updated our materiality, which resulted in the inclusion of certain topics and the exclusion of others. The table below compares the 2020 and 2021 materiality. The topics included were: Attracting and Retaining Associates, Digital Inclusion and Waste Management (formerly addressed under Climate Governances. The Anti-corruption topic (2020 materiality) was included under Corporate Governance and Integrity.
2020 Materiality | 2021 Materiality |
---|---|
Climate governance (emissions, energy and waste) | Climate governance (emissions, energy and waste) |
Workers health and safety | Workers health and safety |
Customer satisfaction and experience | Customer satisfaction and experience |
Customer privacy and cybersecurity | Customer privacy and cybersecurity |
Innovation | Innovation |
Network reliability and systems availability | Network reliability and systems availability |
Compliance with laws and regulations | Compliance with laws and regulations |
Economic and financial performance | Economic and financial performance |
Fighting corruption | Corporate governance and compliance |
Waste management | |
Attracting and retaining associates | |
Digital inclusion |
We have no policy in place requiring us to put the report through external verification. However, we do have assurance provided by an external independent entity qualified to engage in this activity that can issue an opinion or objective and disinterested conclusions on the report. Click here to check it out.