Scope and principles
Telenor is committed to continuously improving its systems and processes for collecting, consolidating and reporting data in connection with non-financial performance. In 2010, Telenor completed a major project improving its non-financial reporting (NFR) system and processes.
A new NFR system has been implemented, to ensure that financial and non-financial reporting is more streamlined. The new system was used in all Telenor Business Units to collect non-financial data (from 2010) including a set of input parameters related to environmental management, climate change, supply chain sustainability, human rights, training, diversity, occupational health and safety and so on.
Securing standardised guidelines and processes
In addition, new reporting guidelines have been developed and implemented to secure a standardized data acquisition process as well as timely, complete reporting. The new reporting processes and system ensures more efficient consolidation of the figures, resulting in improved data processing, analysis and reporting.
In principle, Telenor Group collects and reports information about all associated companies and Business Units that are fully or majority owned by Telenor Group. However, we face several challenges as a large, multinational group, with a wide range of operations being carried out in several countries and locations. As a result, Telenor needs to take a gradual approach and initially concentrate on the most relevant data in countries and operations that represent the most significant social and environmental impact in our portfolio. We will then progressively develop mechanisms for collecting and reporting additional performance data.
For clarity, the information provided on this website is generally representative of our operations as of 2009, unless otherwise stated. Information which relates to distinct parts of the group (e.g. specific countries or operating countries), or different reporting periods is indicated.
Defining the content and scope of our reports
In order to provide a transparent and complete overview of Telenor’s performance on sustainability, we have adopted a structured approach in selecting the topics that we report on and the level of detail we disclose about those topics. As a result, we ensure that:
- The topics covered reflect our significant economic, environmental and social impacts or these topics are considered important by our stakeholders
- We provide information on topics that interest our stakeholders
- We provide appropriate detail on the topics covered, in a suitable format
- We continually engage with stakeholders so we can better understand their expectations and interests
Telenor Group sees the value of external verification of non-financial reports. The implementation of the new Hyperion based non-financial reporting (NFR) system enables Telenor to further improve the quality of reporting and, as the next step, have its NFR assured by external partners.
In 2011, Telenor Group assigned a global professional services firm to review its non-financial reporting processes (for 2010 reporting), including: i) data acquisition through system entry; ii) a new NFR system, process and consolidation iii) the reporting of NFR results on the corporate website. The review has been conducted with a limited scope, according to the International Standard on Related Services (ISRS) 4400, “Engagements to Perform Agreed-upon Procedures”. The review performed by the consultants did not constitute an audit or a review made in accordance with International Standards on Auditing or International Standards on Review Engagements and, consequently, no assurance has been expressed. However, this review nonetheless, helped Telenor to establish a baseline for further improvements.
Building on the findings of the review, Telenor Group is currently taking steps to improve the quality of NFR data and data acquisition and prepare for future audit and assurance.