Our Frameworks

1. Explanation of the different frameworks used by Impaakt

2. Topic Matrix by Industry and by Sector

3. Description of each topic on our platform

4. Compilation of frameworks for each topic

     4.1 Core Business Impact Topics

     4.2 (Digital) Environmental & Social Solutions

     4.3 Frameworks for Topics that apply to all industries

     4.4 Frameworks for Topics that are industry-specific    

When we started Impaakt, we decided only to analyse the impact through the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Although they can capture various essential impacts across multiple industries and activities, they can often overlap.

Because measuring current impact is inherently complex and multifaceted, a framework will always have limitations.

We have implemented new frameworks simultaneously to provide multi-dimensional classifications and assess impact through different lenses.

Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations)

At Impaakt, we use the SDGs as an analytical framework to help our contributors structure their work. Our clients compare the impact of different companies according to well-defined, standardised themes.

You can find out more here: https://app.impaakt.com/sdgs

Impact Categories (Impaakt)

Products: 

The impact described is related to the company's sector of activities, i.e., WHAT they sell. The impact is generated while using their products & services, not when they are manufactured/produced. 

Some examples include:

• Essential needs being covered by the products & services offered by the company (e.g., access to water and nutrition, provision of healthcare or education, mobility, etc.)
• Pollution or environmental issues generated while using the company's products & services (e.g., driving a car)
• Health issues related to the consumption of the company's products and services (e.g., screen addiction, obesity, etc.)

Processes: 

The impact described is related to the company's operations, i.e., HOW they run their business.

Some examples include:

• Pollution or resource depletion related to the manufacturing or distributing the goods and services (e.g., oil spill, GHG emissions at plant level)
• Social or environmental impacts on the companies' employees, suppliers, or local communities where production occurs (e.g., diversity and inclusion, labour practices, etc.)
• Job creation, labour practices, or workforce health & safety.
• Impacts related to bribery, money laundering, or anti-competitive behaviour.

Taxes & Philanthropy: 

The impact described is related to the company's contribution to TAXES & philanthropic initiatives, such as through CHARITABLE programs (carried by the company itself or the corporate foundation). 

Some examples include:

• Net tax paid
• The distribution of the company's products and services for free or at a reduced cost.
• Provision of grants to charitable organisations.
• Pro-bono work done by the company's staff.
• Manufacturing plants used to produce emergency supplies for free or at a cost outside the company's core activities (e.g., textile companies manufacturing masks during pandemics).
• Support to local communities or people in distress.

Investment Leaders Group Themes (Investment Leaders Group, convened by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL))

The ILG themes started to get momentum in the sustainable finance industry. It is "a global network of pension funds, insurers and asset managers, with over £14 trillion under management and advice".

This framework allows us to:

1/ Get the social + environmental score of a company

2/ Give the capacity for clients to view a company's impact based on the ILG themes

Using the SDGs as a reference point, the group came up with a framework to analyse impacts split by six broader themes that are either:

Social

• Basic Needs

• Well-being

• Decent Work

Environmental

• Resource security

• Healthy Ecosystems

• Climate stability

The Impaakt Team has conducted extensive research for 77 industries across 11 sectors to identify the most pertinent social and environmental impacts.

Some impact topics are relevant for all companies across the board, such as Greenhouse Gas emissions and Job Creation, amongst others, whilst others are industry-specific, such as Gentrification.

These topics and descriptions are inspired by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

Each company has a Core Business Analysis, which addresses the primary and direct benefit for society through the products or services offered. These analyses assess the impact of these products or services the company offers on fundamental needs (i.e., health, mobility, productivity, etc.).

The Core Business analyses do not include the positive or negative externalities of the company’s products and services (e.g., pollution during the manufacturing process, job creation, product waste, etc.) as these topics are covered in separate analyses.

The Impact Category will always be 'Products' for these Core Business Impact analyses.

The SDG and ILG theme will depend on the impact described in each analysis. Please pick the most relevant one.

The Impact Category will always remain 'Products.'

For coherence, we have identified the SDG and ILG most commonly used in already published analyses, as written in the table.