This open exchange offers a basis for mutual understanding and an opportunity to attain social acceptance of our entrepreneurial decisions. At the same time, the dialogue is a source of new ideas and makes an important contribution to our innovation management, risk management and forms the basis for the further development of our sustainability strategy and reporting.
Stakeholder Dialogue
Exchanges with our stakeholders and social groups are a key element of Henkel’s sustainability approach. That is the reason why we are active in a number of dialogue platforms and initiatives on selected topics related to sustainability.
Therefore, we are engaged in a continuous dialogue with
- customers
- consumers
- suppliers
- employees
- shareholders
- local communities
- rating agencies and analysts
- government authorities
- nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
- politicians
- academia and scientists
Identification of key topics for our sustainability management
Materiality analysis: We use a series of different instruments and processes to analyze global challenges to sustainable development and identify material topics for Henkel's sustainability management and reporting.
What are the most important challenges regarding sustainability and expectations towards Henkel? To find an answer to this complex question, we use a series of different instruments and processes to identify and assess topics of relevance for Henkel’s sustainability management and reporting. In doing so, we dialogue with sustainability-focused institutions, international rating agencies and analysts, and academia. We also consider the assessment criteria of various financial and sustainability-oriented indices and the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
-
Integrated Dialogue
-
International Expert Dialogue
-
Dialogue with Policy Makers
At Henkel, we conduct a systematic approach towards an integrated stakeholder dialogue which also reflects the breadth of our communication instruments and channels. Entering into these dialogues is also an essential aspect of each of our employee’s job. In this way, we ensure that local and regional challenges are discussed by the appropriate experts in our company and the stakeholder groups involved. We develop strategies and solutions at the very place where they will be assessed and put into practice. Read more about recent highlights and results.
Since 2005, we have been inviting experts from various parts of the world to collaborate with Henkel in further developing our strategy. We choose these experts on the basis of their knowledge of the challenges their countries face and their experience in corporate sustainability management. Overall, the expert dialogue helps us to adjust our alignment to sustainable development and social responsibility to reflect external expectations in the different regions, and to find the right answers – especially when it comes to developing appropriate solutions at the local level. Read more about recent highlights and results.
Henkel is convinced that sharing expertise in the context of public policy debates is important to best meet societal challenges and to ensure that the legitimate interests of its employees, business partners, consumers and shareholders are represented at all levels. We regard the dialogue with politicians, public and regulatory authorities, NGOs, associations and other interest groups as an opportunity for all stakeholders involved to reach the best results. Our worldwide “Representation of Interests in Public Affairs” standard provides clear guidance on conduct for this. We also openly provide information about our fields of interest and the scope of our work involving governmental or political affairs through our entry in the “Transparency Register of the European Union.”