MSCI ESG Ratings provide an assessment of the long-term resilience of companies to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. MSCI’s ESG Industry Materiality Map is a representation of the current Key ESG Issues and their contribution to companies’ ESG Ratings. It is part of MSCI’s ESG Ratings transparency initiatives, through which they have made ESG Ratings of companies and funds accessible to the public.
How to Use the MSCI Materiality Map
The MSCI Materiality Map helps you identify which ESG topics are most relevant to your industry. Here’s how to use it effectively:
Step 1: Find Your Industry
Look for your sector in the map (e.g., Financial Services, Manufacturing, Retail)
Step 2: Identify Material Topics
MSCI highlights which environmental, social, and governance topics matter most for your sector. Topics are color-coded by importance.
Step 3: Prioritize Your ESG Strategy
Focus your ESG efforts on the topics MSCI identifies as “highly material” for your industry. This ensures you’re addressing issues that stakeholders care about most.
Step 4: Use for Materiality Assessment
If you’re conducting a materiality assessment for CSRD, GRI, or other reporting frameworks, use this map as a starting point to identify relevant topics for stakeholder consultation.
Pro Tip: Compare MSCI’s assessment with other similar tools like SASB Materiality Finder or GRI to get a comprehensive view of what matters in your industry.
Learning Resources
New to materiality assessment? Understanding which ESG topics matter most to your business is a critical first step in sustainability reporting.
Helpful Resources:
– CSRD Institute – Comprehensive CSRD & materiality online courses (Learn more)
– Read EFRAG’s materiality guidance
