case study
Navigating CSRD: Unlocking strategic value through a double materiality assessment
Peter -Jan Roose
Sustainability is no longer just about compliance—it’s a core driver of long-term business value. A global player in the bakery and milling industry partnered with BrightWolves to navigate the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Through a Double Materiality Assessment (DMA), we helped the client uncover the ESG topics that matter most, shaping smarter decisions, strengthening compliance, and positioning them as a sustainability leader in their sector.
Challenge
The implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) has posed a significant challenge for companies across Europe, requiring them to adopt a comprehensive and transparent approach to sustainability reporting. Under the CSRD, organizations must assess both impact materiality—their environmental and social impacts—and financial materiality—the financial risks and opportunities arising from sustainability matters. Compliance with these stringent requirements is crucial, as it directly influences an organization’s ability to align with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and maintain credibility among stakeholders.
Under the CSRD, organizations must assess both impact materiality—their environmental and social impacts—and financial materiality—the financial risks and opportunities arising from sustainability matters.
Approach
Our tailored approach unfolded in five iterative steps to deliver actionable insights:
1. Document Analysis
We initiated the project with comprehensive desk research, reviewing internal and industry-specific documents, such as annual reports, carbon footprint analyses, and industry benchmarks. This process helped define the company’s core ESG topics and ensured alignment with the ESRS framework.
2. Stakeholder Engagement
We engaged more than a hundred stakeholders for the impact and financial materiality assessment, including employees, customers, NGOs, investors, and senior management. Data was collected using surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather quantitative and qualitative insights.
3. Data Processing and Refinement
Through an AI-powered pipeline, we categorized and scored over 3,000 potential Impacts, Risks, and Opportunities (IROs) based on scale, scope, and likelihood. A final list of high-priority IROs was identified for deeper evaluation.
4. Materiality Scoring and Analysis
Using a weighted scoring system, we assessed the materiality of ESG topics from two perspectives:
Impact Materiality: Topics with significant effects on the environment and society.
Financial Materiality: Issues presenting risks or opportunities that could materially impact the company’s financial position.
5. Strategic Integration and Validation
The findings were validated with the client’s leadership team through collaborative workshops. Material topics were prioritized for immediate action.
Ready to turn CSRD compliance into a strategic advantage? Our tailored Double Materiality Assessment helps you meet CSRD requirements while uncovering the ESG insights that matter most. Let BrightWolves guide you through a seamless compliance journey—and empower smarter, sustainability-driven decisions.
Impact
The Double Materiality Assessment ensured compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), allowing the company to align with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and prepare its first compliant sustainability statement.
Beyond regulatory alignment, the assessment delivered a comprehensive view of the company’s most material ESG topics—highlighting key risks, opportunities, and impacts across the value chain. While full integration is still underway, the findings provide a robust foundation for embedding sustainability into strategic decision-making. This positions the company to allocate resources more effectively, strengthen risk management, and proactively seize future sustainability opportunities.
Summary
Completed a CSRD-compliant Double Materiality Assessment
Engaged 100+ internal and external stakeholders across the value chain
Analyzed and prioritized 3,000+ Impacts, Risks, and Opportunities (IROs)
Identified key ESG topics to guide strategic decision-making
Enabled preparation of the company’s first ESRS-aligned sustainability statement