22 Identification of relevant topics The key topics are selected with the assistance of internationally established lists of criteria and sustainability standards, such as the GRI, the United Nations Global Compact, SASB Sustainability Accounting Standards Boards and ISO 26000. In addition, we consider feedback on the sustainability reports and evaluate dialogs with individual stakeholders, such as within the framework of the annual Stakeholder Council and other communication forums, such as focus groups. Direct feedback in the form of surveys and workshops as well as evaluations of discussions held with individual stakeholder groups, including customers, employees, rating agencies, non-governmental organizations and sustainability experts, as well as the defined focal points of the company strategy served the RZB Group and its Sustainability Officers as important sources for the identification of key topics. The process for identifying topics was based on the question of whether the given topics influence company activities now or in the future and whether the RZB Group is in a position to influence them directly or indirectly. Prioritization of the sustainability aspects and materiality matrix The prioritization of identified topics with regard to their materiality is based on a multi-stage approach: 1. In order to be able to better evaluate and subsequently weight the key topics and areas of activity, a new tool was used to prepare and present topics: the topic map. 1. a. First, a list of the current key issues was drawn up by the Group Sustainability Management department of the RZB Group. This is based on an internal analysis of past Stakeholder Councils, focus groups, sustainability reports, online surveys (online materiality survey 2013 and selective evaluations of the materiality of specific sustainability aspects), discussions with experts and the GRI. 1. b. The list was checked and added to by an external sustainability expert. At the same time, additional requirements of recognized standards and guidelines (incl. the Global Reporting Initiative, ISO 26000, EU Directive on non-financial reporting, Sustainable Development Goals) as well as current corporate strategies were also incorporated. 1. c. Next, the relationships between the concepts were recorded. On the one hand, this involves hierarchical structures based on strategic clusters and concept levels (e.g. values, strategies, tools), and on the other causal relationships and effect levels (e.g. input, output, outcome, impact). 1. d. Finally, these data were evaluated with the aid of network analysis software, and a topic map was created (see the 2015 Sustainability Report of the RZB Group, page 21). 2. The eight most important topic areas were identified from the topic map. These were the basis for the online stakeholder materiality survey carried out in January/February 2016: • Work environment • Inhouse ecology • Commitment to society and the environment • Sustainable products and services • Economic added value • Organizational management • Regulations and controlling • Transparency and disclosure
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