THE FINANCIAL SECTOR IS A FUNDAMENTAL PLAYER IN THE IMPACT ECONOMY

To achieve the Impact Economy, an economy in which work, entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology engender inclusive welfare, the world needs sustainable finance. In sustainable finance, loans, investments, and other financial services serve people and the planet instead of just shareholders. This means that social and environmental objectives hold the same weight as those attached to financial profit.

The financial sector is uniquely positioned to accelerate the transition to an Impact Economy, it can mobilise capital, direct funds into areas that benefit society, and appropriately price social and environmental risks.

Strategic value of Impact Measurement and Valuation

Impact measurement is, therefore, of specific strategic significance to financial institutions. Firstly, measuring impact helps contribute more effectively to societal challenges. Secondly, understanding impact allows financial institutions to proactively manage their risks through anticipating and preparing for future (financially) material topics. Thirdly, Impact valuation allows organisations to create and execute a comprehensive strategy where trade-offs can be compared and managed in terms of risk, return and impacts. Lastly, it helps to communicate credibly about value creation and build trust from stakeholders and society.

How we help drive sustainable progress and uptake of Impact Measurement and Valuation

In order to effectively bring sustainable finance into practice, it is vital to measure impact and make it an integral part of decision-making. Impact Institute provides the knowledge, experience, and tools to help organisations successfully do this. Our clients include large international Banks such as ABN AMRO, DBS, UBS, Caixa Bank, Danske Bank, and Van Lanschot. And Impact Investors like Wire, SIF and BOM, and Asset Managers such as Actiam.

Banking for Impact partnership

We not only work with our clients on an individual basis, but we also actively work with our clients and other partners to progress impact measurement across the financial sector. We are one of the co-founders of the Banking for Impact initiative, a coalition that came together to develop a harmonised quantitative approach to measuring impact, tailored to banks.