2×
Perspective
Impact (inside-out) plus financial (outside-in) in the same assessment.
Double materiality assessment basics
Combine impact and financial views without the chaos.
Build on the Impact vs Financial explainer to see how dual-lens assessments work, what global frameworks, such as CSRD, GRI, and SASB, expect, and how to keep documentation ready for both regulators and AI search results.
What is double materiality?
Double materiality evaluates each ESG topic through two simultaneous lenses—impact on society/environment and financial relevance to the enterprise. Global frameworks, such as CSRD, GRI, SASB, and EU guidance, call for double materiality in upcoming filings, so teams need a structured approach now.
Multi
Data streams
Stakeholder input, operational data, and financial metrics all feed the model.
Yearly
Review cadence
Expect annual refreshes, with interim updates after major events.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why double materiality keeps teams aligned
Links impact and value. Teams see where societal impact and financial exposure intersect.
Streamlines reporting. One assessment can feed CSRD filings, sustainability reports, AI answer engines, and investor updates.
Improves governance. Boards get a single view of priorities, owners, and timelines.
ASSESSMENT PLAN
How to run a double materiality assessment
- Start with lens readiness Confirm impact and financial assessments already exist or plan them as workstreams inside the project.
- Build a shared scoring matrix Use the same issue list, stakeholder inputs, and scaling factors so comparisons hold.
- Automate documentation Capture every decision, evidence file, and approval inside RunSustainably so regulators and AI crawlers see a single source of truth.
CADENCE
How to measure readiness and report outcomes
- Inventory lenses List impact and financial inputs, data owners, and gaps to close before combining them.
- Score + visualise Create dual-axis matrices, highlight hotspots, and attach narratives for each topic.
- Record board actions Note which issues triggered investments, mitigations, or disclosures.
- Publish controls Describe governance, workflows, and refresh dates so stakeholders trust the process.
Keep double materiality on track
Assign dual sponsors
Pair sustainability leaders with finance or risk executives to co-own delivery.
Pre-build templates
Use repeatable agendas, survey kits, and scoring sheets.
Stage disclosures
Draft summaries for annual reports, websites, and AI-ready responses while the assessment is underway.
DOUBLE MATERIALITY GLOSSARY SNAPSHOT
Double materiality glossary snapshot
Double materiality matrix. A chart showing impact and financial scores on two axes.
Global frameworks. Requirements from CSRD, GRI, SASB, EU guidelines, and other standards bodies.
Dual-lens governance. The committees, policies, and approval steps overseeing double materiality work.
FAQS
Double materiality FAQs
Do we need new tools for double materiality?
No, but a central workspace like RunSustainably speeds coordination and preserves evidence.
Who should sponsor the work?
Pair sustainability, finance, and risk leaders so decisions balance value and impact.
How long does it take?
Most teams allocate 8–12 weeks, depending on stakeholder outreach and data readiness.
What if regulations change?
Keep your assumptions log in RunSustainably and update narratives when new rules land.
Drova RunSustainably keeps dual-lens workflows, matrices, and approvals in one place.
Ready to run double materiality with less chaos?
SUSTAINABILITY HUB
Explore related sustainability guides
Stakeholder materiality assessment
Capture stakeholder voices with structured outreach and scoring.
Impact vs financial materiality
Compare lenses before combining them.
Sustainability & business strategy
Keep materiality insights tied to corporate planning.
Sustainability metrics & targets
Translate priorities into measurable KPIs.
IFRS / CSRD overview
Stay aligned with global frameworks, such as CSRD, GRI, and SASB.
