Measuring Up: How to Track and Deliver Positive Social Impact

This podcast discusses how project teams are measuring and delivering positive social and environmental impact, particularly in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Two projects, one focused on replacing plastic with seaweed-based packaging and the other on refugee employment, highlight the challenges and successes of using data-driven storytelling to demonstrate impact and secure funding and partnerships, emphasizing the importance of clear metrics and collaboration.

SDG Impact Measurement

• 00:00:05 Companies are increasingly focusing on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which requires measuring impact and stakeholder value. Metrics for impact don't always need to be financial, but they need to show progress towards achieving the SDGs. Data and metrics are crucial for long-term project success and for demonstrating efficacy to funders and partners.

Seaweed Packaging

• 00:02:45 Notpla, based in London, aims to eliminate single-use plastic packaging through the use of seaweed and plant-based materials. This replaces millions of plastic units with biodegradable alternatives, targeting SDGs #12 (sustainable consumption & production) and #14 (life below water). Notpla focuses on short-use applications and develops various packaging types, including coatings, films, and rigid materials.

Refugee Employment

• 00:06:23 Nest's Refugee Employment Initiative, based in Warsaw, aims to create quality jobs for refugees and migrants, partnering with Ikea and the Cisco Foundation. It supports social enterprises and other companies to provide quality jobs, skills development, and career training. The project tracks several dimensions, including job readiness, skills development, and employment outcomes, with the goal of creating 2-3,000 jobs and impacting 5,000 refugees.

Metrics Challenges

• 00:15:04 Tracking social and environmental impact presents unique challenges. For example, measuring the impact of training and placement programs requires tracking people over extended periods, and refugee employment initiatives face challenges due to the fluctuating nature of refugee populations and geopolitical instability. Industry standards for life cycle assessments and certifications may not always be comprehensive or fully align with desired outcomes, requiring companies to develop their own metrics and tests.

Collaboration and Communication

• 00:19:15 Communicating social impact effectively is key to building awareness and securing funding. Open calls, collaborations with other ecosystem players, and engaging communication strategies are important. Educating internal teams and external partners on the nuances of impact measurement helps to combat greenwashing and build trust. Partnerships are crucial for scaling impact, even if working with companies that have initially different values and measures of success.