OCE-A.01.C - Materiality Stakeholder Consultation Disclosure
Does the company disclose the stakeholders and experts consulted in determining its material impacts?
About the data
The WBA Ocean Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to halt and reverse nature loss in marine ecosystems, tracking how companies manage their impacts on ocean biodiversity, marine habitats, and the communities and workers dependent on healthy seas. The 2026 edition is WBA's first Ocean Benchmark, assessing 125 companies across key sectors dependent on oceans, including seafood, maritime transport, offshore wind energy, shipbuilding, port operations, apparel, and chemicals. Companies are assessed on 47 indicators across four measurement areas: governance, ecosystems and biodiversity, social responsibility, and core social indicators. The benchmark builds on WBA's Nature Benchmark and the former Seafood Stewardship Index, and its methodology was developed with input from more than 50 stakeholders including ocean communities, companies, scientists and civil society, with human rights and social impacts kept at its core alongside nature-specific concerns. More information can be found here.
Methodology
Impact materiality assessments allow companies to identify and prioritise their most
significant environmental, social and governance impacts. Embedding the results into their
sustainability strategy ensures that companies address these critical areas effectively, enhancing their
long-term resilience and aligning the company’s operations with the SDGs.
Research Guidance:
The company must consult relevant stakeholders (e.g. individuals and communities most directly impacted by the company) and/or experts to inform the identification of its material impacts and disclose who they are.It is not necessary to identify stakeholders by name (e.g. WBA, WWF), as confidentiality agreements may apply; general descriptions of the types of stakeholders and experts consulted are acceptable.
Stakeholders (a-c) and/or relevant experts (d-g) must include at least one of the following categories:
aEmployees (if they are directly impacted parties)
bIndigenous peoples, local communities, and marginalized communities
c NGOs and advocacy groups (representing the interests of directly impacted groups)
dAcademia, scientific, and technical experts
eLabor unions and workers‚ councils
fNGOs and advocacy groups
gYouth and student organizations
significant environmental, social and governance impacts. Embedding the results into their
sustainability strategy ensures that companies address these critical areas effectively, enhancing their
long-term resilience and aligning the company’s operations with the SDGs.
Research Guidance:
The company must consult relevant stakeholders (e.g. individuals and communities most directly impacted by the company) and/or experts to inform the identification of its material impacts and disclose who they are.It is not necessary to identify stakeholders by name (e.g. WBA, WWF), as confidentiality agreements may apply; general descriptions of the types of stakeholders and experts consulted are acceptable.
Stakeholders (a-c) and/or relevant experts (d-g) must include at least one of the following categories:
aEmployees (if they are directly impacted parties)
bIndigenous peoples, local communities, and marginalized communities
c NGOs and advocacy groups (representing the interests of directly impacted groups)
dAcademia, scientific, and technical experts
eLabor unions and workers‚ councils
fNGOs and advocacy groups
gYouth and student organizations
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report