What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2020 Sustainability Report Wharf identified a range of material issues, such as socioeconomic compliance, customer privacy, anti-corruption, non-discrimination, environmental compliance. Among these, creating economic value for its stakeholders stands out as a key material issue for Wharf.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Wharf engages with:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Government, regulatory bodies and industry associations	·      Regulatory task forces and committees ·      Industry operational meetings ·      Forums and conferences
Business partners (including suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors)	·      Tendering ·      Operational meetings ·      Contract and performance review ·      Surveys
Local community	·      Community investment programmes ·      Company visits ·      Social media platforms
Non-governmental organisations (“NGOs”)	·      Programme partnership meetings ·      Regular programme review and assessment
Media	·      Media briefings and luncheons ·      Executive interviews ·      Instant internet updates
Employees	·      Surveys and focus groups ·      Town hall meetings ·      Intranet and internal publications
Customers	·      Surveys ·      Social media platforms ·      Service centres and hotlines
Shareholders, investors and ­financial analysts	·      General meetings ·      Financial reports, announcements and circular(s) ·      Corporate communications and company websites ·      Phone interviews

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Wharf conducted an online survey, one-on-one interviews and focus groups among 570 stakeholders, including employees, business partners, government officials, tenants, customers, community partners, industry associations, investors and financial analysts.

What actions were taken by Wharf to create economic value for its stakeholders?

In its 2020 Sustainability Report Wharf reports that it took the following actions for creating economic value for its stakeholders:

• Creating economic value for employees
• In 2020, Wharf’s staff costs reached HK$ 1,791 million. Staff costs include contributions to defined contribution pension schemes of HK$128 million, which included equity-settled share-based payment expenses of HK$3 million.

• Creating economic value for communities
• In 2020, Wharf’s donations reached HK$ 7million. Wharf organised and supported more than 70 community events.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed

Disclosure 201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Targets: 8.1, 8.2
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Targets: 9.1, 9.4, 9.5

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.
References:

This case study is based on published information by Wharf, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:

https://www.wharfholdings.com/sites/default/files/sustainability_report/2021/WHL_Sustainability%20Report%202020_E_HD.pdf

Note to Wharf: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2018 Sustainability Report Wharf identified a range of material issues, such as customer privacy, environmental compliance, marketing and labelling, socioeconomic compliance, training and education. Among these, creating an inclusive and positive working environment stands out as a key material issue for Wharf.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Wharf engages with:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Employees	·      Surveys and focus groups ·      Town hall meetings ·      Intranet and internal publications
Shareholders, investors and financial analysts	·      General meetings ·      Financial Reports, announcements and circular(s) ·      Corporate communications and company websites ·      Focus groups
Customers	·      Surveys and focus groups ·      Social media platforms ·      Service centres and hotlines
Government, regulatory bodies and industry associations	·      Regulatory taskforces and committees ·      Industry operational meetings ·      Forums and conferences
Media	·      Media briefings and luncheons ·      Executive interviews ·      Instant internet updates
Business partners (including suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors)	·      Tendering ·      Operational meetings ·      Contract and performance review ·      Focus groups
Local community	·      Community investment programmes ·      Company visits ·      Social media platforms
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)	·      Programme partnership meetings ·      Regular programme review and assessment

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Wharf surveyed stakeholders online, to rank the materiality of various sustainability issues.

What actions were taken by Wharf to create an inclusive and positive working environment?

In its 2018 Sustainability Report Wharf reports that it took the following actions for creating an inclusive and positive working environment:

• Promoting regular two-way communication
• Wharf seeks to understand its employees through engagement activities and regular two-way communication. Communication channels include internal newsletters, staff surveys, luncheons, town hall meetings, and the company intranet. Additionally, Wharf’s staff grievances policy also helps to resolve labour issues in the workplace. Wharf records all grievances and corresponding actions, to refine its human resources management strategy.

• Improving employee wellbeing
• Wharf cares about its employees’ overall wellness, both physical and mental. Individual BUs (business units) offer complimentary pre-employment and regular health checks, counselling services, outpatient and hospitalisation coverage, special dental service rates and subsidised meals, along with nursery rooms to help balance employees’ work and personal life, enabling them to meet their family responsibilities. Wharf also arranges staff engagement events like recreational activities, outings, interest classes, and team-building events to help employees relax from work. In 2018, investment properties organised a series of thematic wellbeing activities around the theme of Happy Appreciation. Participants went through different appreciation journeys that included the following:
  • Better Me: Chinese Calligraphy is an art form with long history. Participants learnt to keep a calm mind to carefully decide, construct and write each stroke, which in turn strengthened their mind.
  • Thank Others: Wharf organised museum visits for employees to enjoy with their family members. Wharf ‘s employees could spend more quality time with their children, and nurture closer parent-child relations.
  • Admire Beauty: Wharf organised a ukulele class for its employees to learn this special musical instrument and open their ears to the beautiful music.
  • Honour Tradition: Chinese paper-cutting is a complicated traditional art, which requires patience and craftsmanship. Wharf arranged a learning class for its employees, to enhance their understanding of this tradition.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standards addressed in this case are:

1) Disclosure 401-2 Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees

2) Disclosure 402-1 Minimum notice periods regarding operational changes

 

Disclosure 401-2 Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
• Business theme: Earnings, wages and benefits

Disclosure 402-1 Minimum notice periods regarding operational changes corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
• Business theme: Labor/management relations

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Wharf, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Wharf: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.

What are the material issues the company has identified?

In its 2017 Sustainability Report Wharf identified a range of material issues, such as socioeconomic compliance, customer privacy, anti-corruption, environmental compliance, non-discrimination. Among these, promoting customer health and safety stands out as a key material issue for Wharf.

Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards              

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:

“The reporting organization shall identify its stakeholders, and explain how it has responded to their reasonable expectations and interests.”

Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.

Key stakeholder groups Wharf engages with:

Stakeholder Group	Method of engagement
Employees	·      Surveys and focus groups ·      Town hall meetings ·      Intranet and internal publications
Shareholders, investors and financial analysts	·      General meeting(s) ·      Financial Reports, announcements and circular(s) ·      Corporate communications and company websites
Customers	·      Surveys and focus groups ·      Social media platforms ·      Service centres and hotlines
Government, regulatory bodies and industry associations	·      Regulatory taskforces and committees ·      Industry operational meetings ·      Forums and conferences
Media	·      Media briefings and luncheons ·      Executive interviews ·      Instant updates on internet
Business partners (including suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors)	·      Tendering ·      Operational meetings ·      Contract and performance review
Local community	·      Community investment programmes ·      Company visits ·      Social media platforms
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)	·      Programme partnership meetings ·      Regular programme review and assessment ·      Forums and conferences

How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues

To identify and prioritise material topics Wharf engaged, through an online survey, interviews and focus group discussions, with more than 700 stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors, tenants, investors and financial analysts, and community partners.

What actions were taken by Wharf to promote customer health and safety?

In its 2017 Sustainability Report Wharf reports that it took the following actions for promoting customer health and safety:

• Offering accessible and caring facilities
• The design and features of Wharf’s premises take into consideration the different needs of its customers. Accordingly, Wharf’s shopping malls and hotels provide barrier-free facilities, such as elevators, electric stair-climbing wheelchairs, accessible toilets and designated parking slots, offering to customers safe and convenient access to the premises. Portable induction loop systems are also provided at the shopping mall concierge, to offer hearing aids for the people in need. In addition, the provision of family- and mother-friendly facilities contributes to a pleasant experience for visitors and guests. For example, there are six baby nursery rooms at Chengdu IFS, equipped with thoughtful amenities.

• Keeping premises safe
• Wharf carries out regular safety inspections and annual maintenance of facilities in all its premises, and also selects and monitors suppliers based on the health and safety performance of their products and services. During daily patrol at the premises, security personnel inspects facilities or items that may have possible health and safety risks, and makes sure that the conditions of escape stairs, corridors and other fire compartments comply with fire safety regulations. Wharf also provides fire safety training to all staff, equipping them with skills on escape planning, evacuation and fire extinguishing. At Chengdu IFS, Wharf’s committed staff conducted door-to-door fire safety trainings for more than 400 tenants, enhancing their awareness of fire safety. In addition, to enable all customers to fully enjoy public spaces, Wharf carefully plans and deploys crowd control measures, especially during large-scale events. Wharf’s premises are also equipped with adequate first aid equipment and automated external defibrillators and, in cases of emergency, Wharf’s qualified first aid team will arrive at the scene quickly to offer medical assistance. Additionally, Wharf seeks to provide a hygienic and healthy environment for customers while they enjoy their time at its premises, making sure that the premises achieve excellent indoor air quality through the regular monitoring and installation of fresh air systems. For example, besides adhering to an indoor smoking ban, Shanghai Wheelock Square obtained LEED Gold certification, with excellent performance in indoor air quality.

• Promoting food safety
• At Wharf Hotels, Wharf strictly complies with the Food Safety Law and Operating Rules for Food Safety in Catering Services in Mainland China. Wharf’s Marco Polo Hotels carry out weekly food safety inspections and monthly food safety training and assessments, for all catering staff. Wharf also conducts monthly audits on high risk food suppliers, to ensure that they always meet Wharf’s required safety standards. There were no incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes resulting in a fine or penalty, during the reporting year.

Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?

The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 416-2 Incidents of non-compliance concerning the health and safety impacts of products and services

 

Disclosure 416-2 Incidents of non-compliance concerning the health and safety impacts of products and services corresponds to:

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
• Business theme: Compliance with laws and regulations

 

78% of the world’s 250 largest companies report in accordance with the GRI Standards

SustainCase was primarily created to demonstrate, through case studies, the importance of dealing with a company’s most important impacts in a structured way, with use of the GRI Standards. To show how today’s best-run companies are achieving economic, social and environmental success – and how you can too.

Research by well-recognised institutions is clearly proving that responsible companies can look to the future with optimism.

7 GRI sustainability disclosures get you started

Any size business can start taking sustainability action

GRI, ISEP, CPD Certified Sustainability courses (2-5 days): Live Online or Classroom  (venue: London School of Economics)

• Exclusive FBRH template to begin reporting from day one
• Identify your most important impacts on the Environment, Economy and People
• Formulate in group exercises your plan for action. Begin taking solid, focused, all-round sustainability action ASAP. 
• Benchmarking methodology to set you on a path of continuous improvement

See upcoming training dates.

 

References:

1) This case study is based on published information by Wharf, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:

http://database.globalreporting.org/

2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/

Note to Wharf: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.