• Accelerating Decarbonization

  • Valuing Biodiversity and Water

  • Managing with ESG criteria

  • Promoting Circularity

  • Enhancing Human Development

  • 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:

    Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

    Tap each icon to see more information
    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.

    Sonae promotes continuous training and requalification of its employees and develops education projects for children and young people, offering them a wide range of skills to be agents of change. Imagem adicional no hover
    5 Gender equality

    Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls

    Sonae has a Gender Equality Plan, reviewed annually, with the aim of achieving effective equal treatment and gender opportunities. Imagem adicional no hover
    7 Renewable and Affordable Energy

    Ensuring Access to Reliable, Sustainable Energy Sources and Enabling Them for All

    Sonae invests in the production of renewable energy sources for self-consumption and in the acquisition of renewable energy from the grid and green contracts, towards the decarbonisation of its energy matrix. Imagem adicional no hover
    8 Decent work and economic growth

    Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

    Sonae is committed to combating inequalities, building a more inclusive and fair work environment, and adopting transparent practices for career progression and talent retention. Imagem adicional no hover
    9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure

    Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation

    Sonae develops processes, products and services following the principles of circularity and eco-design, through investment in R&D and promotion of innovation. Imagem adicional no hover
    10 Reducing inequalities

    Reducing inequalities within countries and between countries

    Sonae contributes to the creation of a more inclusive society, striving to provide equal opportunities for all, promote diversity and inclusion, invest in the growth of the team, monitor progress in gender equality and lead projects that increase social value. Imagem adicional no hover
    12 Sustainable production and consumption

    Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns

    Sonae adopts a comprehensive approach to combat food waste, promote efficient waste recovery, as well as support the transition to regenerative agriculture and healthy consumption habits. Imagem adicional no hover
    13 Climate action

    Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

    Sonae understands the urgency of the transition agenda and energy efficiency as essential in achieving its path of reducing CO2e emissions and combating climate change, towards decarbonisation. Imagem adicional no hover
    14 Protecting
    marine life

    Conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Sonae advocates the conservation and sustainable management of the oceans, and the protection and efficiency of water resources. Imagem adicional no hover
    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

    Sonae is committed to protecting nature and restoring biodiversity because it recognizes its dependency of natural capital, and how, directly or indirectly, it has the potential to alter or contribute to the destruction of natural habitats. Imagem adicional no hover
    17 Partnerships for the implementation of the objectives

    Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

    Sonae establishes partnerships with organizations and public entities, and works with its partners and suppliers to boost and positively influence the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Imagem adicional no hover
    4 Quality education

    Ensure access to inclusive, quality and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

    Sonae promotes continuous training and requalification of its employees and develops education projects for children and young people, offering them a wide range of skills to be agents of change. Imagem adicional no hover
    5 Gender equality

    Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls

    Sonae has a Gender Equality Plan, reviewed annually, with the aim of achieving effective equal treatment and gender opportunities. Imagem adicional no hover
    7 Renewable and Affordable Energy

    Ensuring Access to Reliable, Sustainable Energy Sources and Enabling Them for All

    Sonae invests in the production of renewable energy sources for self-consumption and in the acquisition of renewable energy from the grid and green contracts, towards the decarbonisation of its energy matrix. Imagem adicional no hover
    8 Decent work and economic growth

    Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

    Sonae is committed to combating inequalities, building a more inclusive and fair work environment, and adopting transparent practices for career progression and talent retention. Imagem adicional no hover
    9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure

    Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation

    Sonae develops processes, products and services following the principles of circularity and eco-design, through investment in R&D and promotion of innovation. Imagem adicional no hover
    10 Reducing inequalities

    Reducing inequalities within countries and between countries

    Sonae contributes to the creation of a more inclusive society, striving to provide equal opportunities for all, promote diversity and inclusion, invest in the growth of the team, monitor progress in gender equality and lead projects that increase social value. Imagem adicional no hover
    12 Sustainable production and consumption

    Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns

    Sonae adopts a comprehensive approach to combat food waste, promote efficient waste recovery, as well as support the transition to regenerative agriculture and healthy consumption habits. Imagem adicional no hover
    13 Climate action

    Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

    Sonae understands the urgency of the transition agenda and energy efficiency as essential in achieving its path of reducing CO2e emissions and combating climate change, towards decarbonisation. Imagem adicional no hover
    14 Protecting
    marine life

    Conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Sonae advocates the conservation and sustainable management of the oceans, and the protection and efficiency of water resources. Imagem adicional no hover
    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

    Sonae is committed to protecting nature and restoring biodiversity because it recognizes its dependency of natural capital, and how, directly or indirectly, it has the potential to alter or contribute to the destruction of natural habitats. Imagem adicional no hover
    17 Partnerships for the implementation of the objectives

    Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

    Sonae establishes partnerships with organizations and public entities, and works with its partners and suppliers to boost and positively influence the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Imagem adicional no hover