Material topics

GRI3–1, 3–2

Process to determine material topics

The content of the report was defined in accordance with GRI 2021 using a methodology to assess the Company’s impact on economic, environmental, and social aspects.

To that end, a list of economic, environmental, and social aspects was put together.

The final list of the most significant topics for the report was compiled based on a survey of a wide range of stakeholders (a sample of 130 respondents).

Respondents by stakeholder group, %

The list to be assessed by stakeholders included aspects with the strongest impact.

The respondents were asked to rate the importance of each topic on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 the least important and 5 the most important.

The final list of material topics was based on a ranking of how important the topics were for stakeholders.

Summary of survey results
Introduction of state‑of‑the‑art emergency response measures and railway safety 4.38
Higher quality and responsible provision of services 4.36
Sustainable waste management 4.35
Data security 4.35
Projects to improve labour conditions 4.28
Anti‑corruption 4.25
Business ethics and protection of human rights 4.18
Development of infrastructure and social services across the footprint 4.17
Improved quality of employee social support programmes 4.14
Air quality. Projects to reduce pollutant emissions 4.10
Labour market presence and impact on employment 4.08
Projects to improve energy efficiency 4.08
Water management 4.08
Engagement with local communities across the footprint 4.04
Creating conditions to ensure supply chain reliability 4.04
Use of new materials and systems 4.04
Sustainable financing 4.03
Impact on biodiversity 3.98
Programme to improve productivity 3.97
Enhancement of employee training and development programmes 3.96
Introduction of in‑house technologies and Russian‑made equipment amid sanctions (import substitution) 3.92
Climate change. Projects to reduce GHG emissions 3.92
Long‑term projects to develop logistics/transport infrastructure 3.84
Development of tourism programmes within Russia 3.75
Development of programmes to promote a healthy lifestyle 3.71
Introduction of the process approach in the Russian Railways Group management 3.40
Development of corporate volunteering programmes 3.37

List of material topics

The list of material topics included those that ranked highest in terms of importance for stakeholders. As a materiality criterion, the median average stakeholder score over 4.0 was chosen.

In line with stakeholders’ priorities, the following material topics were included in the report:

Introduction of state‑of‑the‑art emergency response measures and railway safety
Higher quality and responsible provision of services
Sustainable waste management
Data security
Projects to improve labour conditions
Anti‑corruption
Business ethics and protection of human rights
Development of infrastructure and social services across the footprint
Improved quality of employee social support programmes
Air quality. Projects to reduce pollutant emissions
Labour market presence and impact on employment
Projects to improve energy efficiency
Water management
Engagement with local communities across the footprint
Creating conditions to ensure supply chain reliability
Use of new materials and systems
Sustainable financing