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Hotels & Lodging
Hotels and lodging industry entities provide overnight accommodation, including hotels, motels and inns. This competitive industry is comprised primarily of large hotel chains in which customers base purchase decisions on a wide range of factors including quality and consistency of services, availability of locations, price, and loyalty programme offers. Entities often are structured in one or more of the following ways: direct revenue from hotel services, including room rental and food and beverage sales; management and franchise services with fee revenue from property management; and vacation residential ownership with revenue from sales of residential units.
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Toys & Sporting Goods
The Toys & Sporting Goods industry comprises two distinct segments that produce leisure products: entities that manufacture toys and games, and entities that manufacture sporting and athletic goods, such as bicycles, golf clubs, fitness equipment, and other similar products. Entities in this industry primarily sell their products to consumers through retail stores. The level of manufacturing integration varies among and within segments of the industry; manufacturing is based primarily in Asia, with China accounting for a majority of production.
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Relevant Issues for both Industries (7 of 26)

Why are some issues greyed out?

The SASB Standards vary by industry based on the different sustainability-related risks and opportunities within an industry. The issues in grey were not identified during the standard-setting process as the most likely to be useful to investors, so they are not included in the Standard. Over time, as the ISSB continues to receive market feedback, some issues may be added or removed from the Standard. Each company determines which sustainability-related risks and opportunities are relevant to its business. The Standard is designed for the typical company in an industry, but individual companies may choose to report on different sustainability-related risks and opportunities based on their unique business model.

Environment
- GHG Emissions
- Air Quality
- Energy Management
  The category addresses environmental impacts associated with energy consumption. It addresses the company’s management of energy in manufacturing and/or for provision of products and services derived from utility providers (grid energy) not owned or controlled by the company. More specifically, it includes management of energy efficiency and intensity, energy mix, as well as grid reliance. Upstream (e.g., suppliers) and downstream (e.g., product use) energy use is not included in the scope.
- Water & Wastewater Management
  The category addresses a company’s water use, water consumption, wastewater generation, and other impacts of operations on water resources, which may be influenced by regional differences in the availability and quality of and competition for water resources. More specifically, it addresses management strategies including, but not limited to, water efficiency, intensity, and recycling. Lastly, the category also addresses management of wastewater treatment and discharge, including groundwater and aquifer pollution.
- Waste & Hazardous Materials Management
- Ecological Impacts
  The category addresses management of the company’s impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity through activities including, but not limited to, land use for exploration, natural resource extraction, and cultivation, as well as project development, construction, and siting. The impacts include, but are not limited to, biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and deforestation at all stages – planning, land acquisition, permitting, development, operations, and site remediation. The category does not cover impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Social Capital
- Human Rights & Community Relations
- Customer Privacy
- Data Security
- Access & Affordability
- Product Quality & Safety
  The category addresses issues involving unintended characteristics of products sold or services provided that may create health or safety risks to end-users. It addresses a company’s ability to offer manufactured products and/or services that meet customer expectations with respect to their health and safety characteristics. It includes, but is not limited to, issues involving liability, management of recalls and market withdrawals, product testing, and chemicals/content/ingredient management in products.
- Customer Welfare
- Selling Practices & Product Labeling
Human Capital
- Labour Practices
  The category addresses the company’s ability to uphold commonly accepted labour standards in the workplace, including compliance with labour laws and internationally accepted norms and standards. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring basic human rights related to child labour, forced or bonded labour, exploitative labour, fair wages and overtime pay, and other basic workers’ rights. It also includes minimum wage policies and provision of benefits, which may influence how a workforce is attracted, retained, and motivated. The category further addresses a company’s relationship with organized labour and freedom of association.
- Employee Health & Safety
- Employee Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion
Business Model and Innovation
- Product Design & Lifecycle Management
- Business Model Resilience
- Supply Chain Management
  The category addresses management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks within a company’s supply chain. It addresses issues associated with environmental and social externalities created by suppliers through their operational activities. Such issues include, but are not limited to, environmental responsibility, human rights, labour practices, and ethics and corruption. Management may involve screening, selection, monitoring, and engagement with suppliers on their environmental and social impacts. The category does not address the impacts of external factors – such as climate change and other environmental and social factors – on suppliers’ operations and/or on the availability and pricing of key resources, which is covered in a separate category.
- Materials Sourcing & Efficiency
- Physical Impacts of Climate Change
  The category addresses the company’s ability to manage risks and opportunities associated with direct exposure of its owned or controlled assets and operations to actual or potential physical impacts of climate change. It captures environmental and social issues that may arise from operational disruptions due to physical impacts of climate change. It further captures socio-economic issues resulting from companies failing to incorporate climate change consideration in products and services sold, such as insurance policies and mortgages. The category relates to the company’s ability to adapt to increased frequency and severity of extreme weather, shifting climate, sea level risk, and other expected physical impacts of climate change. Management may involve enhancing resiliency of physical assets and/or surrounding infrastructure as well as incorporation of climate change-related considerations into key business activities (e.g., mortgage and insurance underwriting, planning and development of real estate projects).
Leadership and Governance
- Business Ethics
- Competitive Behaviour
- Management of the Legal & Regulatory Environment
- Critical Incident Risk Management
- Systemic Risk Management

Disclosure Topics

What is the relationship between General Issue Category and Disclosure Topics?

The General Issue Category is an industry-agnostic version of the Disclosure Topics that appear in each SASB Standard. Disclosure topics represent the industry-specific impacts of General Issue Categories. The industry-specific Disclosure Topics ensure each SASB Standard is tailored to the industry, while the General Issue Categories enable comparability across industries. For example, Health & Nutrition is a disclosure topic in the Non-Alcoholic Beverages industry, representing an industry-specific measure of the general issue of Customer Welfare. The issue of Customer Welfare, however, manifests as the Counterfeit Drugs disclosure topic in the Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals industry.

Hotels & Lodging Remove
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- Energy Management
  The category addresses environmental impacts associated with energy consumption. It addresses the company’s management of energy in manufacturing and/or for provision of products and services derived from utility providers (grid energy) not owned or controlled by the company. More specifically, it includes management of energy efficiency and intensity, energy mix, as well as grid reliance. Upstream (e.g., suppliers) and downstream (e.g., product use) energy use is not included in the scope.
  - Energy Management
    Hotel buildings require a significant amount of energy to operate, which is a substantial portion of hotel operating expenses. The industry purchases the majority of its electricity commercially. This purchased electricity indirectly results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is a significant contributor to climate change. Entities in the industry are implementing energy management best practices to reduce operating expenses and environmental impacts and to improve their brand value with guests, who increasingly are concerned about environmental sustainability.
- Water & Wastewater Management
  The category addresses a company’s water use, water consumption, wastewater generation, and other impacts of operations on water resources, which may be influenced by regional differences in the availability and quality of and competition for water resources. More specifically, it addresses management strategies including, but not limited to, water efficiency, intensity, and recycling. Lastly, the category also addresses management of wastewater treatment and discharge, including groundwater and aquifer pollution.
  - Water Management
    Hotel buildings require a relatively large amount of water resources to operate. Although water is not the industry’s greatest operating cost, reduced water availability or significant price increases could affect financial results. This effect may be particularly acute in water-stressed regions because of supply constraints. Entities in the industry are implementing water management best practices to reduce operating expenses and environmental impacts and to improve their brand value with guests, who increasingly are concerned about environmental sustainability.
- Ecological Impacts
  The category addresses management of the company’s impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity through activities including, but not limited to, land use for exploration, natural resource extraction, and cultivation, as well as project development, construction, and siting. The impacts include, but are not limited to, biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and deforestation at all stages – planning, land acquisition, permitting, development, operations, and site remediation. The category does not cover impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity.
  - Ecological Impacts
    Healthy ecosystems are linked with the economic and financial performance of local communities and businesses. The influx of tourists and the resulting waste generated by hotels may present risks to sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs and nature preserves. Poor environmental protection practices may preclude hotels from obtaining new construction licences in these sensitive areas and could, in the long term, diminish natural attractions for tourists that generate revenue for communities and hotels. In contrast, environmental protection may make travel destinations more attractive and increase demand.
- Product Quality & Safety
  The category addresses issues involving unintended characteristics of products sold or services provided that may create health or safety risks to end-users. It addresses a company’s ability to offer manufactured products and/or services that meet customer expectations with respect to their health and safety characteristics. It includes, but is not limited to, issues involving liability, management of recalls and market withdrawals, product testing, and chemicals/content/ingredient management in products.
  
  None
- Labour Practices
  The category addresses the company’s ability to uphold commonly accepted labour standards in the workplace, including compliance with labour laws and internationally accepted norms and standards. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring basic human rights related to child labour, forced or bonded labour, exploitative labour, fair wages and overtime pay, and other basic workers’ rights. It also includes minimum wage policies and provision of benefits, which may influence how a workforce is attracted, retained, and motivated. The category further addresses a company’s relationship with organized labour and freedom of association.
  - Labour Practices
    The Hotels & Lodging industry is reliant upon labour to operate large facilities. A service-oriented workforce that provides guests with a pleasant stay is an important value driver for hotel entities. This, combined with labour force dynamics, may create low job satisfaction that can result in high turnover and potential lawsuits and contribute to increased expenses for hotel operators. Hotels that foster anti-discriminatory practices and ensure fair wages may improve worker satisfaction and reduce turnover.
- Supply Chain Management
  The category addresses management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks within a company’s supply chain. It addresses issues associated with environmental and social externalities created by suppliers through their operational activities. Such issues include, but are not limited to, environmental responsibility, human rights, labour practices, and ethics and corruption. Management may involve screening, selection, monitoring, and engagement with suppliers on their environmental and social impacts. The category does not address the impacts of external factors – such as climate change and other environmental and social factors – on suppliers’ operations and/or on the availability and pricing of key resources, which is covered in a separate category.
  
  None
- Physical Impacts of Climate Change
  The category addresses the company’s ability to manage risks and opportunities associated with direct exposure of its owned or controlled assets and operations to actual or potential physical impacts of climate change. It captures environmental and social issues that may arise from operational disruptions due to physical impacts of climate change. It further captures socio-economic issues resulting from companies failing to incorporate climate change consideration in products and services sold, such as insurance policies and mortgages. The category relates to the company’s ability to adapt to increased frequency and severity of extreme weather, shifting climate, sea level risk, and other expected physical impacts of climate change. Management may involve enhancing resiliency of physical assets and/or surrounding infrastructure as well as incorporation of climate change-related considerations into key business activities (e.g., mortgage and insurance underwriting, planning and development of real estate projects).
  - Climate Change Adaptation
    Hotels operating in climate change-exposed areas may be impacted by physical climate risks including inclement weather and flooding. Inclement weather may damage property and disrupt operations, thereby reducing asset values and revenues. In addition, hotels may face higher insurance premiums for buildings located in coastal regions or may be unable to insure their properties. Hotel operators will likely need to adapt to shifting climate trends such as rising sea levels, hurricanes, and flooding in order to maintain their climate-exposed revenue-generating properties.
Toys & Sporting Goods Remove
Access Standard
- Energy Management
  The category addresses environmental impacts associated with energy consumption. It addresses the company’s management of energy in manufacturing and/or for provision of products and services derived from utility providers (grid energy) not owned or controlled by the company. More specifically, it includes management of energy efficiency and intensity, energy mix, as well as grid reliance. Upstream (e.g., suppliers) and downstream (e.g., product use) energy use is not included in the scope.
  
  None
- Water & Wastewater Management
  The category addresses a company’s water use, water consumption, wastewater generation, and other impacts of operations on water resources, which may be influenced by regional differences in the availability and quality of and competition for water resources. More specifically, it addresses management strategies including, but not limited to, water efficiency, intensity, and recycling. Lastly, the category also addresses management of wastewater treatment and discharge, including groundwater and aquifer pollution.
  
  None
- Ecological Impacts
  The category addresses management of the company’s impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity through activities including, but not limited to, land use for exploration, natural resource extraction, and cultivation, as well as project development, construction, and siting. The impacts include, but are not limited to, biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and deforestation at all stages – planning, land acquisition, permitting, development, operations, and site remediation. The category does not cover impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity.
  
  None
- Product Quality & Safety
  The category addresses issues involving unintended characteristics of products sold or services provided that may create health or safety risks to end-users. It addresses a company’s ability to offer manufactured products and/or services that meet customer expectations with respect to their health and safety characteristics. It includes, but is not limited to, issues involving liability, management of recalls and market withdrawals, product testing, and chemicals/content/ingredient management in products.
  - Chemical & Safety Hazards of Products
    Consumers and regulators expect the Toys & Sporting Goods industry to ensure its products are safe. Whether introduced by design or poor oversight of supply chains, the presence of harmful chemicals in products can have long-term effects on children’s development and health. Faulty or poorly designed products can also create choking, fire or other hazards, which can result in injury or death. The Toys & Sporting Goods industry is subject to extensive product safety regulation to protect children, and evolving science on the safety of certain chemicals will probably lead to additional restrictions. Failure to create products that are safe for consumers may lead to increased regulatory oversight and affect an entity’s social licence to operate. Furthermore, improper product safety testing or evaluation can result in costly recalls, litigation or reputational damage that can affect sales. Entities that effectively manage the design and manufacturing phases to reduce the use of harmful chemicals while eliminating others can mitigate safety risks, potentially improving brand reputation and reducing the cost of capital.
- Labour Practices
  The category addresses the company’s ability to uphold commonly accepted labour standards in the workplace, including compliance with labour laws and internationally accepted norms and standards. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring basic human rights related to child labour, forced or bonded labour, exploitative labour, fair wages and overtime pay, and other basic workers’ rights. It also includes minimum wage policies and provision of benefits, which may influence how a workforce is attracted, retained, and motivated. The category further addresses a company’s relationship with organized labour and freedom of association.
  
  None
- Supply Chain Management
  The category addresses management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks within a company’s supply chain. It addresses issues associated with environmental and social externalities created by suppliers through their operational activities. Such issues include, but are not limited to, environmental responsibility, human rights, labour practices, and ethics and corruption. Management may involve screening, selection, monitoring, and engagement with suppliers on their environmental and social impacts. The category does not address the impacts of external factors – such as climate change and other environmental and social factors – on suppliers’ operations and/or on the availability and pricing of key resources, which is covered in a separate category.
  - Labour Conditions in the Supply Chain
    Labour conditions and the treatment of workers in the industry’s manufacturing supply chain are points of concern for consumers, regulators and entities. Labour issues include worker health and safety standards, compensation, excessive working hours and risks related to discrimination and forced labour. The industry is exposed to these issues because of its reliance on third-party manufacturing where labour standards and regulation enforcement may be weak. Entities also contract with numerous suppliers, adding complexity and transparency challenges. Failure to manage labour conditions can result in supply disruptions, reputational damage and increased regulation and enforcement in response to high-profile safety or labour incidents, strikes and work stoppages, and shifts in consumer demand. Entities that engage with suppliers through audits, partnerships and increased oversight may be better able to pre-empt and react more quickly to labour issues. Entities that effectively manage this issue can protect brand value and reduce their cost of capital.
- Physical Impacts of Climate Change
  The category addresses the company’s ability to manage risks and opportunities associated with direct exposure of its owned or controlled assets and operations to actual or potential physical impacts of climate change. It captures environmental and social issues that may arise from operational disruptions due to physical impacts of climate change. It further captures socio-economic issues resulting from companies failing to incorporate climate change consideration in products and services sold, such as insurance policies and mortgages. The category relates to the company’s ability to adapt to increased frequency and severity of extreme weather, shifting climate, sea level risk, and other expected physical impacts of climate change. Management may involve enhancing resiliency of physical assets and/or surrounding infrastructure as well as incorporation of climate change-related considerations into key business activities (e.g., mortgage and insurance underwriting, planning and development of real estate projects).
  
  None

General Issue Category

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Energy Management

Energy Management
Hotel buildings require a significant amount of energy to operate, which is a substantial portion of hotel operating expenses. The industry purchases the majority of its electricity commercially. This purchased electricity indirectly results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is a significant contributor to climate change. Entities in the industry are implementing energy management best practices to reduce operating expenses and environmental impacts and to improve their brand value with guests, who increasingly are concerned about environmental sustainability.

Water & Wastewater Management

Water Management
Hotel buildings require a relatively large amount of water resources to operate. Although water is not the industry’s greatest operating cost, reduced water availability or significant price increases could affect financial results. This effect may be particularly acute in water-stressed regions because of supply constraints. Entities in the industry are implementing water management best practices to reduce operating expenses and environmental impacts and to improve their brand value with guests, who increasingly are concerned about environmental sustainability.

Ecological Impacts

Ecological Impacts
Healthy ecosystems are linked with the economic and financial performance of local communities and businesses. The influx of tourists and the resulting waste generated by hotels may present risks to sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs and nature preserves. Poor environmental protection practices may preclude hotels from obtaining new construction licences in these sensitive areas and could, in the long term, diminish natural attractions for tourists that generate revenue for communities and hotels. In contrast, environmental protection may make travel destinations more attractive and increase demand.

Product Quality & Safety

Chemical & Safety Hazards of Products
Consumers and regulators expect the Toys & Sporting Goods industry to ensure its products are safe. Whether introduced by design or poor oversight of supply chains, the presence of harmful chemicals in products can have long-term effects on children’s development and health. Faulty or poorly designed products can also create choking, fire or other hazards, which can result in injury or death. The Toys & Sporting Goods industry is subject to extensive product safety regulation to protect children, and evolving science on the safety of certain chemicals will probably lead to additional restrictions. Failure to create products that are safe for consumers may lead to increased regulatory oversight and affect an entity’s social licence to operate. Furthermore, improper product safety testing or evaluation can result in costly recalls, litigation or reputational damage that can affect sales. Entities that effectively manage the design and manufacturing phases to reduce the use of harmful chemicals while eliminating others can mitigate safety risks, potentially improving brand reputation and reducing the cost of capital.

Labour Practices

Labour Practices
The Hotels & Lodging industry is reliant upon labour to operate large facilities. A service-oriented workforce that provides guests with a pleasant stay is an important value driver for hotel entities. This, combined with labour force dynamics, may create low job satisfaction that can result in high turnover and potential lawsuits and contribute to increased expenses for hotel operators. Hotels that foster anti-discriminatory practices and ensure fair wages may improve worker satisfaction and reduce turnover.

Supply Chain Management

Labour Conditions in the Supply Chain
Labour conditions and the treatment of workers in the industry’s manufacturing supply chain are points of concern for consumers, regulators and entities. Labour issues include worker health and safety standards, compensation, excessive working hours and risks related to discrimination and forced labour. The industry is exposed to these issues because of its reliance on third-party manufacturing where labour standards and regulation enforcement may be weak. Entities also contract with numerous suppliers, adding complexity and transparency challenges. Failure to manage labour conditions can result in supply disruptions, reputational damage and increased regulation and enforcement in response to high-profile safety or labour incidents, strikes and work stoppages, and shifts in consumer demand. Entities that engage with suppliers through audits, partnerships and increased oversight may be better able to pre-empt and react more quickly to labour issues. Entities that effectively manage this issue can protect brand value and reduce their cost of capital.

Physical Impacts of Climate Change

Climate Change Adaptation
Hotels operating in climate change-exposed areas may be impacted by physical climate risks including inclement weather and flooding. Inclement weather may damage property and disrupt operations, thereby reducing asset values and revenues. In addition, hotels may face higher insurance premiums for buildings located in coastal regions or may be unable to insure their properties. Hotel operators will likely need to adapt to shifting climate trends such as rising sea levels, hurricanes, and flooding in order to maintain their climate-exposed revenue-generating properties.

Relevant Issues for both Industries (7 of 26)

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