In EFRAG\u2019s last release of technical Explanations from the ESRS Q&A Platform there is a lot of useful information for various datapoint disclosures.<\/p>\n
An example of explanations include additional guidance on stakeholder engagement in double materiality assessment:<\/p>\n
\u2b55When assessing the materiality of a sustainability matter, is the focus on stakeholder opinions or on objective evidence?<\/strong><\/p>\n There is no conflict between consideration of views of affected stakeholders and objective evidence.<\/p>\n The purpose of both is to get an understanding of the severity (and likelihood) of impacts to present them faithfully in the sustainability statement.<\/p>\n Depending on the circumstances, this may or may not require engagement with affected stakeholders.<\/p>\n The materiality analysis should be driven as much as possible by objective data and evidence.<\/strong><\/p>\n Scientific evidence is the focus in some cases depending on the type of topic and availability of such evidence.<\/p>\n Quantitative\/scientific data on the impact may or may not also be available.<\/p>\n Widespread\/systemic impacts often tend to be well documented, and there is often a consensus on their severity.<\/p>\n In other cases, depending on the topic the views of affected (\u2757) stakeholders are a source of supporting evidence for impact materiality.<\/p>\n However, not all stakeholder opinions are equally relevant for the materiality analysis.<\/strong><\/p>\n Relevance depends on how much the stakeholders are affected (severity \u2013 and likelihood \u2013 of impacts).<\/p>\n Understanding entity-specific impacts and\/or the manifestation of widespread\/systemic impacts in particular contexts and situations requires more careful consideration of specific circumstances, including whether and how people or the environment are affected.<\/p>\n Elements useful to address this question can be found in IG 1 Materiality assessment chapters 3.5 Role and approach to stakeholders in the materiality assessment process and 5.4 FAQ on stakeholder engagement \u2013 impact materiality.<\/p>\n \u2b55It is also reminded that:<\/p>\n The ESRS require disclosure on the materiality assessment and its outcomes but do not mandate specific behaviour on stakeholder engagement or the due diligence process.<\/p>\n The assessment of IROs should rely on quantitative information where possible, as quantitative measures of IROs are objective evidence of their materiality.<\/p>\n The emphasis on objective and quantitative information does not mean to imply that the information from affected stakeholders should be disregarded.<\/p>\n (IG 1 Materiality assessment – FAQ 10, 180-183)<\/p>\n