Principles defining the quality of the report
This section contains the principles behind the decisions made with a view to guaranteeing the quality of information and its presentation. Decisions related to the processes of preparing information for a report must be consistent with these principles, which are also essential in order to achieve effective transparency. The quality of the information allows the stakeholders to make an adequate and reasonable assessment of the performance.
Balance: The Report must reflect the positive and negative aspects of the Organisation's performance for there to be a reasonable assessment.- The Report includes both positive and negative results and
aspects. Both the Executive Summary and the 2008 online Report try
to meet this demand. One example is information detailing how the
challenges set in last year's Report were met, and if they were not
met, an explanation of why.
- The information in the Report is presented in a format which
allows the user to see the positive and negative performance trends
year-on-year. The report has many graphics and data tables.
Furthermore this year we have continued to make an effort to
display historical data in a way which allows it to be compared,
although sometimes this has not been possible (since Telefónica's
organisational structure has changed there are series of historical
data which make no sense). We are presenting the key CSR Indicators
in both the Executive Summary and this online Report for the second
time in 2008.
- The emphasis on the various aspects of the Report is proportional to their relative importance. The Report tries to include the issues which are most relevant to our stakeholders and the Executive Report only deals with certain matters.
- The Report and the information contained in it can be compared
annually. There is comparable information in the Annual Report in
the form of graphs and tables.
- It is possible to compare performance with that of the
corresponding benchmark organisations (comparative analyses). The
benchmarks are not included in the Report. The Report contains the
indicators of the main international standards.
- Any significant variation between information periods in
relation to the coverage, scope, duration of the period or
information included in the Report can be identified and explained.
The scope of reference for all data in the Report is
clear.
- The Organisation producing the Report applies generally
accepted protocols to the compilation, assessment and presentation
of information, in so far as they are available, including the GRI
Technical Protocols for the indicators contained in the guide. The
technical protocols recommended by the GRI G3 have been used,
although not exhaustively.
- The Report uses, in so far as they are available, the GRI sector supplements. The sector supplement for the telecommunications sector has been used.
- The Report indicates what parameters have been measured. GRI
Tables of the Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
- The data measurement techniques and the basis for calculations
are adequately described, so that these can be reproduced with
similar results. Explanation of most of the information compilation
processes.
- The margin for error of the quantitative data is such that it
does not substantially influence the conclusions on performance.
Decisions concerning information compilation processes and scope
have been taken so as to attempt to minimise the margin for error
in data supplied. Furthermore, we are introducing information
compilation systems, which is helping us to eliminate errors in
information compilation and reproduction processes.
- The Report indicates what data has been assessed and what
technical hypotheses have been in used to arrive at these
assessments or the reference to find a certain piece of
information.Explanation of most of the information compilation
processes.
- The qualitative declarations of the Report are valid within the framework of the rest of the information presented and other evidence available. The document has been audited by Ernst&Young, within the scope described in its Report.
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Information disclosed in the Report pertains to a relatively recent period. The Report is published in the six-month period following the end of the financial year.
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The collection and publication of the main performance data is consistent with the sustainability Report production timetable. Data collection occurs once the financial year to be reported on ends.
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Information in the Reports (including those published online) clearly indicates the period to which the information refers, when it was last updated and when it will be updated again. All Corporate Responsibility Reports are available on the Internet, and it is clearly indicated to which period each of them refers.
- The Report contains the level of information necessary to
satisfy the information needs of the people who use it, but it will
not be full of unnecessary details. We are drawing up an Executive
Report and presenting the extended version in an online version.
Furthermore, browsing features in this 2008 online Report have been
improved in relation to the previous version.
- Users of the Report do not have to go to great lengths to find
the specific information they are looking for: they are aided by
data tables, maps, links and other mechanisms. Those involved in
producing the report have taken into account the information
presentation recommendations expressed by stakeholders. However, we
continue to work on improving access to the information in the
Report.
- The Report avoids technical terms, acronyms, slang or other
types of language which may be unfamiliar to stakeholders, and
includes explanations (when necessary) in the relevant section or
its corresponding glossary. The Report has a glossary.
- The data and information in the Report is available to the various stakeholders, including those with specific accessibility needs (to cater for various levels of expertise, languages, technology...). The executive version of the Report is published on paper, in two languages. The extended version is published in electronic format, in two languages. Furthermore, this website complies with T.A.W.'s double AA accessibility standard, in line with our commitment to make this Telefónica CR Report accessible to all.
- The extent to which the Report has been externally audited, and
the scope of this audit is identified. Information on the scope of
the Report, and discussion of the Report with
stakeholders.
- The Organisation can identify the original source of all
information which figures in the Report. The traceability of
information was verified in the Report production and verification
process through sampling of the information supplied. This work was
mainly carried out by the Report's external auditor. Furthermore,
there is a CSR management system, introduced in 2007.
- The Organisation can justify the reliability of the hypotheses
or complex calculations made. Declarations on the reliability of
the information sources are implicit in the inclusion in the Report
of all information.
- There is a declaration from those responsible for the information or original data, declaring that it is reliable or accurate, within reasonable margins for error. The Report credits state that the General Secretariat for Reputation, Brand, CSR and Business Principles is the unit responsible for the content and preparation of the Report.