Impact measurement
The data for this impact report is derived from our online investee portal. In this portal, the financial institutions in our portfolio provide extensive data on social and environmental topics. The indicators that we publish are, when possible, aligned with the IRIS Metrics of the Global Impact Investing Network, designed to measure the social, environmental and financial performance of an investment, or the calculations are based on existing IRIS metrics.
Furthermore, the Triodos Sustainability Banking Assessment Scorecard helps to analyse, monitor and report on the non-financial performance of our portfolio companies in an effective and transparent way. The scorecard consists of 25 indicators grouped in five dimensions: Environment, Management & Staff, Product Range, Responsible Finance, and Governance. It takes into account relevant industry initiatives, including the UNPRI Principles for Investors in Inclusive Finance, the Universal Standards for Social Performance Management and the SMART Campaign’s Client Protection Principles, which address some of the most debated topics in the industry, such as fair pricing.
Part of the whole story
Our role and efforts as an impact investor can only be captured in quantitative metrics and indicators to a limited extent. We do not see them as goals in themselves; they are pieces of information that are part of the broader picture. For that reason, we don’t set specific goals for indicators or compare them to last year figures, because a higher number doesn’t necessarily mean more impact. For instance, financing a small and innovative financial institution which drives financial inclusion in rural areas could create more impact than financing an established financial institution in a mature market. To understand our vision and the extent to which we’re delivering on it, we share stories that illustrate the whole picture. These stories provide the essential context and background for our activities and illustrate our ‘theory of change’.
