Delivering Materiality and Sustainability Reporting for Guess

Objectives

GUESS was looking for a partner to lead the development of its next sustainability report. The objective was to transition towards integrated financial and non-financial reporting gradually, while introducing a fresh sustainability strategy and goals. Additionally, the aim was to adopt a more strategic approach, discerning and leveraging the business value associated with sustainability.

Project

In 2022, Anthesis supported GUESS in the development of its sustainability strategy and reporting activities. This included a review and refresh of its sustainability strategy and goals for the preparation of the Sustainability Report.

Underpinning the strategy refresh, Anthesis also supported GUESS in conducting a double materiality assessment with the aim of enabling GUESS to build upon and strengthen the approach taken in previous years and be better prepared ahead of incoming mandatory requirements of CSRD/ESRS.

Services

• Developed a double materiality matrix through the identification, prioritisation and validation of a list of material topics, referenced to relevant reporting standards and frameworks including primarily ESRS, GRI, SASB and UN SDGs.
• Refreshed sustainability strategy targeting priority action areas for the next 2-3 years, aligned with best practice frameworks with a set of KPIs and a roadmap to support implementation.
• Developed a coherent creative brief, summary and full sustainability report covering GUESS’ achievements and plans in line with the company tone of voice and style. The finished report was aligned to GRI and SASB and mapped against the UN SDGs. The report achieved the ESG Investing Award “Best Company for Sustainability Reporting” in the Corporate ESG Awards 2023.

Impacts

The outcomes of the double materiality assessment helped better understand the significance of material topics from both a risk, opportunity and impact perspective for the business and inform its strategic planning process.