Integrating Sustainability and ESG dimensions as a strategic planning, measuring and reporting framework

How an integrated impact model with ESG dimensions can help strategically plan, measure and report sustainability and ESG progress and impacts.

• An impact model is a useful framework for planning and measuring sustainability initiatives, as it allows organizations to map their activities to intended outputs, outcomes and impacts. Including an impact model in reporting and communications is a proactive way to share your organisation's inputs, actions, progress and impacts.

• Impact models help identify key activities and interventions that contribute to sustainability goals—for example, reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, improving energy efficiency etc. These can then be measured over time.

• Impact models allow organisations to measure progress at different levels - inputs, outputs, outcomes and impact. This enables tracking of tangible outputs as well as higher-level changes 

• They provide a clear line of sight between activities and sustainability objectives. This helps focus efforts on interventions that have the greatest impact.

• Impact models make measurement and reporting more structured and credible by linking data to a theory of change. Both quantitative metrics and qualitative information can be captured.

• Templates and training on developing impact models can assist organisations with planning, measurement and reporting.  This allows for consistency across the organisation and when collaborating with stakeholders.

• Progress and impact data help identify what's working well and where there are gaps or opportunities for improvement. Models can be updated periodically.

• Leadership, stakeholder participation, and good documentation are key to successfully utilizing impact models for sustainability efforts.

Impact models are an important tool for strategic planning, measurement and reporting about sustainability goals. They provide structure, enable data collection, and support continuous improvement. Any organisation can develop and utilize impact models with the right guidance to track their sustainability progress.