Materiality Topics
Materiality Assessment GRI 3-1
Process to Determine Material Topics
GC annually prepares material sustainability issues related to business operations covering the environmental, social and governance (ESG) dimensions. Appropriately, GC has implemented the Double Materiality assessment, which comprises two dimensions, namely (1) Impact to Business and (2) Impact to Environmental and Social. The impacts, which can be positive, negative, actual, or potential, are assessed based on stakeholder expectations across the business chain. GC also takes into account the petrochemical industry's sustainability trends and directions. Material sustainability issues are presented to the Sustainable Development Committee for verification of the assessment results’ consistency with the company’s context, goals, and strategies. This information is then presented to the management and the Corporate Governance and Sustainability Committee (Board Level) to obtain approval for the disclosure of information.
GC has assessed material sustainability issues based on the principle of Double Materiality of the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) which was developed by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) as well as other sustainability indicators, namely:
- Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards 2021
- AA1000 Accountability Principles: AA1000AP (2018)
- Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI)
- International Financial Reporting Standards S1 and S2 (IFRS S1 and S2)
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The assessment results are incorporated as critical information in developing organizational strategies and integrated into the enterprise risk management process to enable appropriate management of top risks to the organization’s sustainability. GC monitors these sustainability-related risks and opportunities through its robust enterprise risk management framework. To further align and incentivize the performance of CEOs and top executives, GC has established short-term and long-term Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs), in accordance with the corporate indicator index for 2017 – 2027. These KPIs directly influence the remuneration packages of the top executives, which include salary, bonuses, and other benefits. They promote accountability in metrics such as energy efficiency, GHG emissions reduction, high value products development, and safety outcomes like Process Safety and TRIR rates, reinforcing GC’s commitment to long-term sustainability goals. Each and every step of the materiality assessment process is verified by an expert independent third-party agency. The process can be summarized into four principal steps as follows:
The materiality analysis comprises four main steps as follows:
Step 1
Understand The Organization’s Context
Step 2
Identify Actual and Potential Impacts
Step 3
Assess the Significance of the Impacts
Step 4
Prioritize the Most Significant Impacts for Reporting
Material Topics (GRI 3-2)
Based on the aforementioned materiality assessment process, GC has carried out all relevant steps in full compliance with the GRI standards and the Double Materiality principle. Most important material topics can be summarized in the table below.
Most Important Material Topics
GC has categorized the seven material topics mentioned above by combining issues related to product stewardship/ sustainable product with circular economy. This is because the principles of circular economy have been integrated into GC’s product stewardship/sustainable product operations. In this regard, GC’s most important material topics in 2023 can be summed up in the following six topics:
Most Important Material Topics
GC’s Double Materiality Assessment 2023 (GRI 3-3)
Most Important Material Topics
Climate Strategy and Energy Management
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Investor Public Sector Supplier and Business Partner Shareholder Community |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
27. Right to an adequate standard of living (Housing, Food, Water & Sanitation): UDHR 25 31. Right to self-determination: UDHR 21 |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Strategic Risk: - Decarbonization Implementation Emerging Risk: - Failure to Mitigate Climate Change |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
GC focuses on production process enhancement, energy management andenergyconservationtooptimizeefficiencyinreducingscope1,2 and 3 greenhouse gases, covering three areas of operations, namely 1) Efficiency-driven,2) Portfolio-driven, and 3) Compensation-driven, in tandem with building cooperation with stakeholders. |
Corporate KPI |
|
Long Term Target |
|
Target Year |
|
Progress |
Greenhouse gas Scope 1 and 2 emissions 8.17 million tons CO2 e equivalent |
Product Stewardship/Sustainable Product and Circular Economy
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Shareholder Investor Customer Communities Supplier and Business Partner |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
28. Right to health: UDHR 25 31. Right to self-determination: UDHR 21 |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Business as Usual Risk: - Market Volatility and Business Performance Emerging Risk:- Changing Consumer Trend from Natural Resource Crisis and Regulatory |
Impact Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
GC is committed to investing in research and development of eco-friendly and health-friendly products by adhering to the eco-design principles and eco-friendly production processes in order to reduce environmental impacts throughout the business chain. In addition, GC has implemented technology to enhance production processes in line with the principles of circular economy, which have been established as the company’s business plan to enable the most cost-effective use of resources and yield maximum benefit while reducing waste generation and environmental impacts. |
Corporate KPI |
Adjusted EBITDA in Bio and Circularity Businesses |
Long Term Target |
Adjusted EBITDA in Bio and Circularity Business to 7% |
Target Year |
2030 |
Progress |
Adjusted EBITDA in Bio and Circularity Business to 673 million baht accounting for 1.68% in 2023. |
Innovation Management
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Communities Customer Employee supplier and Business Partner Shareholder Investor |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
31. Right to self-determination: UDHR 21 |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Business as Usual Risk: - Market Volatility and Business Performance Emerging Risk: - Changing Consumer Trend from Natural Resource Crisis and Regulatory |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
GC is committed to the continuous investment in and development of innovation according to the Innovation Management Strategy, which consists of 1) Competitiveness & Decarbonization 2) Market-focused Innovation 3) Innovation Growth Platform & CVC 4) Enabler. |
Governance and Compliance
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Investor Employee Shareholder Public Sector Customer Community Supplier and Business Partner |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
6. Right to equality before the law, equal protection of the law, non-discrimination: UDHR 7 19. Right to freedom of opinion, information and expression: UDHR 19 24. Right to work: UDHR 23 25. Right to enjoy just and favorable conditions of work (including rest and leisure): UDHR 23 and 24 27. Right to an adequate standard of living (Housing, Food, Water & Sanitation): UDHR 25 |
Main Reference SDGs | |
Risk Factor |
Strategic Risk - People and Organization |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
GC has designated the Nomination and Remuneration Committee to recruit and select qualified individuals to be appointed as directors to the company’s Board of Directors. A name list of the selected individuals is presented to the Board meeting and/or shareholders’ meeting for approval of the appointment. The Board selection process must be conducted in a systematic and transparent manner according to the specified criteria, taking into account laws and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) as well as GC’s regulations in accordance with the Thai Corporate Governance Code for Listed Companies 2017 (CG Code). In addition, the Corporate Governance and Sustainability Committee has been established to set guidelines and recommend policies or guidelines regarding ethics, business ethics and anti-corruption measures in accordance with the corporate governance system. The committee also defines, reviews and improves the company’s sustainability-related policies, strategies and goals in line with best practices according to national and international standards. |
Occupational Health and Safety
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Employee supplier and Business Partner Communities |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Human Rights Impacts* |
1. Right to life: UDHR 3 23. Right to social security, including social insurance: UDHR 22 25. Right to enjoy just and favorable conditions of work (including rest and leisure): UDHR 23 and 24 28. Right to health: UDHR 25 |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Business as Usual Risk: - Operational and Safety |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Response Plan |
GC develops the Quality, Security, Safety, Occupational Health, Environmental, and Business Continuity (QSHEB) Policy and adopted standards such as Process Safety Management (PSM), Contractor Safety Management (CSM), and ISO 45001. Moreover, GC also promotes and reinforces a strong safety culture for employees within and beyond the organization, covering all activities carried out by employees, contractors and key suppliers, while creating operational excellence to accomplish our ultimate goal to be a Zero Incident, Zero Complaint, Zero Unplanned Shutdown (Zero ICU). |
Corporate KPI |
|
Long Term Target |
|
Target Year | 2027 |
Progress | Zero Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) |
Output Metric 4 Year Performance | Number of Fatalities |
Impact Metrics | Avoided income loss from fatality case avoidance |
Risk and Crisis Management
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Investor Public sector Employee Shareholder Customer Communities Supplier and Business Partner |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
7. Right to freedom from war propaganda, and freedom from incitement to racial, religious or national hatred: UDHR 7 |
Main Reference SDGs | |
Risk Factor |
Strategic Risk:- Financial and Investment Management |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
GC is committed to implementing systematic risk management throughout the organization and the continuous improvement of business agility. GC also runs a training program on risk management to create awareness and improve self-development for all executives and employees to ensure the company’s ability to effectively cope with uncertainties and accomplish our operating strategies. |
Foundation Material Topics
Sustainable Environmental Management
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Public sector Supplier and business partner Shareholder Customer Employee Communities |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
1. Right to life 28. Right to health 31. Right to self-determination and natural resources |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Strategic Risk: - Decarbonization Implementation Emerging Risk: - Failure to Mitigate Climate Change |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
GC has established the Quality, Security, Safety, Occupational Health, Environment, and Business Continuity (QSHEB) These policies are reviewed annually to ensure their relevance to current situations. Additionally, the company continuously plans and develops its environmental management systems according to international standards, such as ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), ISO 50001 (Energy Management System, ISO 14064-1 (Greenhouse Gases), and ISO 9001(Quality Management System). |
Sustainable Water Management
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Public sector Supplier and business partner Communities Shareholder Customer Employee |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
23. Right to Adequate Living Standard 31. Right to self-determination: UDHR 21 |
Main Reference SDGs | |
Risk Factor |
Strategic Risk: - Decarbonization Implementation Emerging Risk: - Failure to Mitigate Climate Change |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
|
Talent Attraction and Reduction
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Employee Supplier and Business Partner |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
23. Right to Adequate Living Standard 25. Right to enjoy just and favorable conditions of work including rest and leisure |
Main Reference SDGs | |
Risk Factor |
Strategic Risk: - People and Organization |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
|
Contribution to Society
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Community Investor Customer Public Sector Shareholder |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
23. Right to social security, including social insurance 27. Right to an adequate standard of living (housing, food, water and sanitation) |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Emerging Risk: - Changing Consumer Trend from Natural Resource Crisis and Regulatory |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
|
Supply Chain Management
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Customer Public sector Supplier and business partner Shareholder |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
2. Right to liberty and security (including freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile) 3. Right not to be subjected to slavery, servitude or forced labor 33. Right not to be subjected to imprisonment for inability to fulfil a contract |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Strategic Risk: - Changing Consumer Trend from Natural Resource Crisis and Regulatory- Decarbonization Implementation |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
|
Human Capital Development
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Shareholder Supplier and Business Partner Employee |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
19. Right to education |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Strategic Risk: - People and Organization |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
GC has planned career development paths for employees in tandem with implementing capacity-building programs at all levels. This involves identifying the necessary competencies for each position, including job-specific expertise and appropriate leadership qualities for each level. Thie goal is to enhance employee capabilities in alignment with business objectives and personnel development strategies. Additionally, the company plans succession development to select qualified candidates who exemplify the organizational culture. |
Customer Relationship Management
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Customer Supplier and Business Partner Shareholder |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
19. Right to freedom of opinion, information, and expression |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Business as Usual Risk: - Market Volatility and Business Performance |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
GC has developed a proactive marketing plan to maintain relationships with existing customer and build a new customer base, aiming to build trust and maximize customer satisfaction. This includes diverse customer relationship management strategies, such as continuous customer engagement activities, collecting feedback and complaints through a Voce of Customer (VoC) system via various channels like the company website, annual customer satisfaction surveys, and through company representatives. GC also has channels and processes for promptly responding to customer feedback to investigate, analyze causes, and find solutions, presenting and implementing corrective measures, and following up to prevent recurrence of issues. |
Biodiversity
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Public Sector/Non-Profit Organization Shareholder Investor Communities and Society |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Cause of Impact |
|
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
31. Right to self-determination and natural resources |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Emerging Risk: - Biodiversity Loss and Ecosystem Collapse |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
GC is well aware of the importance of rich biodiversity and ecosystem services. Therefore, it carefully controls and develops various measures through the Biodiversity Risk Assessment of all operational areas throughout the value chain to identify the risk levels of each area. This leads to appropriate business management. Additionally, the company has applied the Mitigation Hierarchy Principle to prevent, avoid, mitigate, restore, and compensate for environmental impacts on biodiversity throughout the value chain. |
Information and Cyber Security
Cause of Impact |
Value Chain
|
---|---|
Key Stakeholders |
Employee Supplier and Business Partner Shareholder Customer |
Main impact and Type of impact | |
Impact Period |
|
Human Rights Impacts* |
11. Rights to Privacy |
Main Reference SDGs |
|
Risk Factor |
Business as Usual Risk: - Cyber Threat |
Impact Materiality Level | |
Financial Materiality Level | |
Double Materially (Double Materiality Level) | |
Response Plan |
|
Remark:
1 The company's operations encompass the entire petrochemical spectrum, including upstream petrochemicals, intermediates, and downstream petrochemicals.
2 End products/services cover downstream businesses such as the transportation fuel industry and the automotive industry.
3 The supply chain includes upstream businesses, such as feedstock.
Based on the summary of key sustainability issues assessment, the activities under direct control and supervision by the company are considered the sectors in the value chain most associated with and impacted by sustainability risks and opportunities. Most of the company's activities are located in industrial estates in Rayong province, where they are conducted under strict and consistent control measures.
More information on stakeholder engagement is available at: Stakeholder Engagement
Additional information: External Impact Valuation 2023