IRIS+ System / Performance Benchmarks

Last updated: 2019

The IRIS+ Impact Performance Benchmarks are analytic tools that aggregate sector-specific impact results across investments, enabling investors to compare their impact performance to peers and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Benchmarking and rating: Compare impact results to four different comparison points; internal impact targets, past performance, results ofa peer group, and the pace of change required to acheive a science-based target or SDG.

IRIS+ System / Strategic Goals

Last updated: 2022

The IRIS+ impact performance benchmarks are analytic tools that aggregate sector-specific impact results across investments, enabling investors to compare their impact performance to peers and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Use this resource to:

  • Benchmarking and rating: Compare your investment to others in the same Impact Theme or Category, as well as against the UN SDGs.

IRIS+ Strategic Goals

Last updated: 2019

The Strategic Goals document describes the core concepts for measuring impact to contribute to the SDGs, both through the use of IRIS+ Core Metrics Sets and the IRIS Catalogue of Metrics.

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Strategy: Create a Theory of Change from evidence within the IRIS+ Thematic Taxonomy.
  • Identify: Discover other factors to consider, including impact risk.
  • Measure, assess and value: Define what to measure in the context of the investment strategy, by accessing the IRIS+ Core Metrics Sets.
  • Set targets and plan: Access third-party resources on targets.
  • Implement: Develop strategies to achieve established social and environmental impact objectives.
  • Monitor, learn and adapt: Assess progress towards the SDGs using relevant IRIS metrics and terminology.

IRIS+ Catalog of Metrics

Last updated: 2022

The IRIS metrics are designed to support impact investors with measuring the social, environmental and financial performance of their investments. They can be used as part of the broader IRIS+ System for measuring, managing and optimising impact.

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Measure, assess and value: Access usage and calculation guidance for the selected metrics.

IRIS+ Guidance / Build an Impact Portfolio

Last updated: 2021

This introductory document outlines how to use IRIS+ to inform investors’ decision-making when building an impact portfolio, enhancing their ability to achieve their impact and financial goals.

Use this resource to:

  • Measure, assess and value: Integrate impact actors into a single-asset-class impact portfolio in private markets.

IRIS+ Guidance / Incorporate Stakeholders

Last updated: 2019

This document provides guidance on how to use IRIS+ to incorporate the voices of affected stakeholders into impact measurement and management practice.

Use this resource to:

  • Use IRIS+ to incorporate the voices of affected stakeholders into impact measurement and management practice.

IRIS+ Guidance / Decision-Making

Last updated: 2019

The “How to use IRIS+ for decision-making” document provides practical guidance on how to use IRIS+ Core Metrics Sets to inform decision-making to enhance impact throughout the investment lifecycle.

Use this resource to:

  • Implement: Understand how to track and mine impact data throughout the investment lifecycle

IRIS+ Guidance / Data Collection

Last updated: 2020

This document belongs to the How-To guidance series of IRIS+ which provide examples of how to use IRIS+ in practice.

Use this resource to:

  • Measure, assess and value: Answer what to measure and how to use impact data to inform decision-making.

IRIS+ Core Metrics Sets

Last updated: 2019

The Core Metrics Sets belong to the IRIS+ Fundamentals guidance series, offering an overview of the core concepts and rules underpinning the IRIS+ methodology for measuring and managing impact.

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Measure, assess and value: Impact investors can use the Core Metrics Sets to assess the impacts of their investments.

ISEAL Codes of Good Practice

Last updated: 2014

ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice is a globally recognised framework that defines practices for effective and credible sustainability systems.

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Verification, assurance & certification: Provide a framework for assessing compliance with standards, so that consumers, supply chain partners, investors and other stakeholders know they can trust the results of assessments. It encourages assurance that is rigorous and accessible, providing accurate and transparent results.