WBA Benchmarks

Last updated: 2021

These benchmarks rank companies and financial institutions based on their impact performance. The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) recognises that transformational change across seven systems (financial, decarbonisation and energy, food and agriculture, digital, social, urban, and nature) are needed to achieve sustainability. In each of these systems, companies that have a big role to play in hindering or advancing progress towards a sustainable future are identified as ‘keystone’ companies. The WBA then draws from existing standards to develop a publicly available methodology for each system (or component of a system). The methodology identifies the relevant topics and associated metrics for companies to disclose against.

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Benchmarking and rating: Compare performance with other companies ranked according to WBA’s benchmarks.

Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into Corporate Reporting: A Practical Guide

Last updated: 2018

Guidance on how to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into reporting processes.

Use this resource to:

  • Communicate: Use the guidance to disclose positive and negative contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Science-Based Targets for Nature: Initial Guidance for Business

Last updated: 2020

This guidance helps organisations to set nature-related science-based targets. More generally, SBTn is embarking on a multi-year strategy to develop guidance for translating planetary thresholds and societal goals into company-specific targets for air, water, land, biodiversity and ocean.

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Set targets and plan: Set a company-specific target that references an ecological threshold for nature.

Standard on applying Social Value Principle 4: Only Include What is Material

Last updated: 2018

Standard and guidance on how to apply the fourth of SVI’s Social Value Principles.

Use this resource to:

  • Measure, assess and value: Follow the guidance to determine whether an impact is significant to people or the environment, requiring management.

Impact Management Norms

Last updated: 2018

The Impact Management Norms provide a common logic to help enterprises and investors measure and assess their social and environmental impacts. They aim to promote a consistent approach to impact assessment, enabling organisations to better understand, communicate and improve their impact performance. The Norms comprise – among others – the Five Dimensions of Impact, ABC of Impact and Investor Contribution.

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Measure, assess and value: Use the norms to quantify and evaluate the social and environmental impacts of the organisation’s activities.

The Guide to Social Return on Investment (SROI)

Last updated: 2012

This guidance document provides a framework for calculating Social Return on Investment (SROI), which can be used by anyone interested in measuring, managing and accounting for social value or social impact

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Measure, assess and value: Monetise the social value an organisation creates, preserves or erodes for its stakeholders. This methodology guides an organisation through the process of valuing impact from the perspective of all affected stakeholders.

Standard on Applying Social Value Principle 3: Value the Things that Matter

Last updated: 2019

Standard and guidance on how to apply the third of SVI’s Social Value Principles.

Use this resource to:

  • Measure, assess and value: Use the guidance to value impacts from the perspective of affected stakeholders. This standard emphasises the importance of using data collected directly from stakeholders.

AA1000 Assurance Standard

Last updated: 2020

A set of criteria that demonstrates adherence to AccountAbility’s four principles: inclusivity, materiality, responsiveness and impact. Assurance using this assurance standard can cover an organisation’s practices as well as sustainability performance information.

Use this resource to:

  • Verification, assurance and certification: Assure a report or the organisation’s practices with reference to the AA1000. The subject matter for an assurance engagement is not pre-defined in the AA1000, meaning this assurance standard is commonly used to assure external reports prepared according to other reporting standards.

Natural Capital Protocol

Last updated: 2016

The Natural Capital Protocol is a framework designed to help businesses identify, measure, and value their impacts and dependencies on natural capital. It provides a standardised approach for organisations to integrate natural capital considerations into their decision-making processes, enabling them to better understand and manage their relationship with nature.

This is a cross-cutting resource, meaning that it supports the internal impact management process as a whole, rather than one or a few of the Actions of Impact Management.

Social and Human Capital Protocol

Last updated: 2019

The Social and Human Capital Protocol is a framework designed to assist organisations in identifying, measuring, and managing their impacts and dependencies on social and human capital. It provides a standardised approach for businesses to integrate social and human capital considerations into their decision-making processes, enabling them to better understand and manage their relationships with employees, communities and stakeholders.

This is a cross-cutting resource, meaning that it supports the internal impact management process as a whole, rather than one or a few of the Actions of Impact Management.