Sonae upholds the highest sustainability principles as part
of its strategy.
Sonae upholds the highest sustainability principles as part of its strategy.
As a holding company, managing a diversified business portfolio, Sonae assumes sustainability as a way of doing business.
In 2018, Sonae formalized its Sustainability Strategy, based on five axes, which were in force between 2019-2022, reinforcing the adoption of common policies and commitments for sustainable development.
Throughout this time, Sonae companies have evolved in their performance, strategies and governance models of sustainability. Recognizing the maturity achieved and the challenging context in which we operate, it was necessary to revisit our strategy, priority axes of action, transversal commitments and goals outlined.
The new sustainability strategy for the 2023-2026 cycle aims to accelerate the commitment and performance of the portfolio companies in the ESG pillars, covering its value chain.
Materiality
For Sonae, it was vital to understand how and what environmental, social, economic and governance issues are most impacted by and from the activity of our businesses, and, on the other hand, how these same themes affect our results. In 2022, a study was carried out considering the context of our portfolio, as well as a benchmark coupled with an assessment of the current and expected regulatory trends. The double materiality assessment brought together a wide involvement of internal and external stakeholders, including the supervision of our Executive Board during the different stages of the process and the approval of the materiality matrix.
Through questionnaires, interviews and focus group, from 29 potentially material themes, we reached 10 strategic themes for Sonae, as an active diversified business portfolio manager.
Hover over the material theme to see more information
Materiality matrix
Impact on Environment and Society
Impact on Sonae
Environmental
Social
Governance
Protecting our Customers
Ensure the quality and safety of products and services offered to customers, as well as provide clear information to support informed decision making. Implement cybersecurity measures that ensure data protection and promote scrupulous compliance with the agreed conditions.
Moderate Relevance
Act with Ethics and Transparency
Ensure responsible business conduct, based on ethical and transparent action in the relationship with different stakeholders. Promote the Brand values in the relationship with suppliers, partners, customers and other stakeholders, aiming at satisfaction, trust and notoriety. Communicate responsibly and transparently.
Create Resilient Communities
Contribute to the resilience and sustainable development of local communities, through investment, partnerships, and creation of shared value that promote the quality of life of the population, equity and social justice.
High Relevance
Promote the Sustainability of the Supply Chain
Ensure the sustainability of the supply chain in a responsible, fair and transparent way, preventing environmental impacts, respecting the rights and freedoms of those involved in the supply chain. Diversify and responsibly support suppliers in preventing disruption of the supply chain, both in terms of transport and the origin of raw materials.
Developing our People
Attract, retain and develop the best talent through policies and practices focused on our people, in line with the best references and future of work. Protect and promote the physical and mental well-being of employees. Ensure balance, diversity and inclusion in the work environment, especially between different generations, gender, disabilities.
Combating Climate Change
Promote the efficient use of energy and the reduction of consumption, opt for renewable energy solutions that contribute to less energy dependence, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Develop actions that reduce the impacts arising from climate risks in the operations of companies. Partnerships to reduce the impacts of climate change. Implement GHG offset initiatives that contribute to carbon neutrality.
Biodiversity
Protect and restore terrestrial and marine ecosystems through responsible practices, investment in conservation and regeneration, and enhancement of natural capital.
Increase the Circularity
Minimize the extraction of resources from the planet, betting on the fight against waste and the extension of the life cycle of products, in their correct management and recovery, privileging their reuse and recycling.
Water
Value the water resource and promote the efficient management of water resources along the value chain.
Very high relevance
Investing with ESG criteria
Integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria in the Group’s expansion strategy, through investment policies and procedures, fostering long-term sustainable business.
OVERVIEW
Moderate Relevance
High Relevance
Very high relevance
Protecting our customers
Ensure the quality and safety of products and services offered to customers, as well as provide clear information to support informed decision making. Implement cybersecurity measures that ensure data protection and promote scrupulous compliance with the agreed conditions.
Act with ethics and transparency
Ensure responsible business conduct, based on ethical and transparent action in the relationship with different stakeholders. Promote the Brand values in the relationship with suppliers, partners, customers and other stakeholders, aiming at satisfaction, trust and notoriety. Communicate responsibly and transparently.
Create resilient communities
Contribute to the resilience and sustainable development of local communities, through investment, partnerships, and creation of shared value that promote the quality of life of the population, equity and social justice.
Promote the sustainability of the supply chain
Ensure the sustainability of the supply chain in a responsible, fair and transparent way, preventing environmental impacts, respecting the rights and freedoms of those involved in the supply chain. Diversify and responsibly support suppliers in preventing disruption of the supply chain, both in terms of transport and the origin of raw materials.
Developing our people
Attract, retain and develop the best talent through policies and practices focused on our people, in line with the best references and future of work. Protect and promote the physical and mental well-being of employees. Ensure balance, diversity and inclusion in the work environment, especially between different generations, gender, disabilities.
Combating climate change
Promote the efficient use of energy and the reduction of consumption, opt for renewable energy solutions that contribute to less energy dependence, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Develop actions that reduce the impacts arising from climate risks in the operations of companies. Partnerships to reduce the impacts of climate change. Implement GHG offset initiatives that contribute to carbon neutrality.
Biodiversity
Protect and restore terrestrial and marine ecosystems through responsible practices, investment in conservation and regeneration, and enhancement of natural capital.
Increase the Circularity
Minimize the extraction of resources from the planet, betting on the fight against waste and the extension of the life cycle of products, in their correct management and recovery, privileging their reuse, reuse and recycling.
Water
Value the water resource and promote the efficient management of water resources along the value chain.
Investing with ESG criteria
Integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria in the Group’s expansion strategy, through investment policies and procedures, fostering long-term sustainable business.
Strategy
The definition of the sustainability strategy was a result of a collaborative and co-creation process with
all stakeholders of interest and internal and external experts. Thus, it was possible to identify the
strategic axes, the commitments, and the indicators (KPI), which are intended to be transversal to the
companies in the Sonae portfolio.
New Strategy Example:
Axes of action
Through the process of materiality, the 10 themes considered most relevant, were grouped into
four axes of strategic action, driven by a central axis, which intends to be an enabler to the
integration of sustainability in the strategy of sub-holdings and positively influencing the value
chain. The thematic strategic axes are transversal, in general, to most areas of activity and
potentially relevant to any company in the Sonae portfolio, depending on the materiality of the
themes in the context of its business.
To accelerate its commitment to sustainable development, Sonae has outlined a set of guidelines
to guide its companies in contributing to the implementation of the 2023-2026 strategy.
Hover over each
icon to see more
information
Accelerating
Decarbonization
Combating climate change
and advancing our fossil
fuel independence
Valuing
Biodiversity and Water
Promoting their protection,
restoration and regeneration
Managing with
ESG criteria
Supporting decision
making with ESG requirements
Enhancing
Human Development
Ensuring a diverse, inclusive
and fair environment for both our
employees and communities
Promoting
Circularity
Looking for new production and consumption models,
aiming to preserve natural resources and systems
Accelerating
Decarbonization
Combating climate change
and advancing our fossil
fuel independence
Valuing
Biodiversity and Water
Promoting their protection,
restoration and regeneration
Enhancing
Human Development
Ensuring a diverse, inclusive
and fair environment for both our
employees and communities
Promoting
Circularity
Looking for new production and consumption models,
aiming to preserve natural resources and systems
Managing with
ESG criteria
Supporting decision
making with ESG requirements
Central axis
Action Axes
Scope of action
Sustainability Framework
To accelerate the commitment to sustainable development and effective transposition of its strategy, Sonae has defined a framework, which identifies a set of guidelines based on the axes and commitments defined, to guide their companies in their contribution plans for the implementation of the 2023-2026 strategy.
Governance Model
With the role of challenging and supporting companies to accelerate their perfomance by integrating the group's values and commitments to sustainable development and the future, the Sustainability Advisory Group (SAG) is an extended forum for sharing and debating trends and challenges.
Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
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Hover over each SDG to see more information
Tap each icon to see more information
4 Quality education
Ensure access to inclusive, quality and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5 Gender equality
Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls
7 Renewable and Affordable Energy
Ensuring Access to Reliable, Sustainable Energy Sources and Enabling Them for All
8 Decent work and economic growth
Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation
10 Reducing inequalities
Reducing inequalities within countries and between countries
12 Sustainable production and consumption
Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns
13 Climate action
Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
14 Protecting
marine life
Conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15 Protecting
terrestrial life
Protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, halting and reversing soil degradation and halting biodiversity loss
17 Partnerships for the implementation of the objectives
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development