Sustainability

UNGC and SDGs
Stakeholder engagement

Four pillars of sustainability
Materiality analysis
RWS discussed and reviewed areas of concern for key stakeholders before ranking and prioritising them in terms of materiality to the RWS Group. Engagement included an environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) Materiality survey which went to over 80% of our shareholders, over 20% of our key clients, and over 80% of our suppliers, as well as attending meetings throughout the year. We also, for the first time, ran a group-wide employee engagement survey and we were very encouraged with the results. 80% of respondents believe RWS is committed to its responsibilities surrounding ESG.
Our ESG materiality survey and discussions identified that client services, cyber security, human capital, and diversity and inclusion are particularly high priorities. We have also included intellectual capital management within our matrix as following the acquisition of SDL the Group now has a significantly enhanced product range.
The matrix ranks the materiality of issues raised.
Environment
- Biodiversity impacts — practices to preserve species and ecosystems.
- Climate change and natural resource management — commitment and practices for the reduction of energy consumption and GHG emissions.
People
- Health and safety — practices to guarantee our employees’ health and safety.
- Human capital practices — practices to attract, support and retain skilled employees.
- Equality, diversity and inclusion — fair opportunities, recognition, treatment and remuneration for all employees.
Community
- Human rights — practices to promote and protect human rights in our operations, including suppliers.
- Community impacts — impacts on and relations with local communities in which we operate.
Governance
- Risk management — risk assessment and management procedures.
- Corporate governance — rules, practices and processes by which our company is run.
- Intellectual capital management — strategy to protect our intellectual capital.
- Data privacy, cyber security and protection — strategy to protect our data and infrastructure.
- Innovation — innovation for developing our services.
- Client satisfaction — overall performance of our services and client experience.
- Economic performance — strategic objectives linked to growth and margin.
- Financial transparency — timely, meaningful and reliable disclosures about our performance.
- Reputation risk — strategy regarding our image and credibility.
- Business ethics — integrity and responsibility by which we run our operations and make decisions.
- Bribery and corruption — it is the policy of RWS to conduct its business in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards.
- Stakeholder engagement — dialogue and commitment with our stakeholders.

Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Disclosure
RWS has chosen to evolve its sustainability reporting by disclosing sustainability topics and certain accounting metrics in line with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards. SASB Standards are maintained under the auspices of the Value Reporting Foundation, a global non-profit organisation that offers a comprehensive suite of resources designed to help businesses and investors develop a shared understanding of enterprise value.
Our choice of reports conform with the SASB Standard for the Professional & Commercial Services industry, which includes the following disclosure topics: