Ontier law firm has partnered with sustainability and business impact consultancy Transcendent to launch the first Impact Observatory in Spain. A new meeting place where companies can learn about new initiatives in the areas of impact measurement and management, sustainable financing and regulation.
Maria Herrero, partner of the Transcendent, is the president of the observatory and pedro roderoActing President of Ontier Spain, serves as Vice President.
This initiative, they say from the office, arises at a critical moment in which, both in Europe and the US, there is an increasing demand for stability by regulations. Companies, driven by the opportunity presented by this regulation and for their reputation, seek to balance their economic profits with the social and environmental impact they generate, with more attractive financing prospects, in a society that is increasingly concerned about environmental impacts. I am increasingly aware. , such as the risks of climate change, or social, such as the talent, training and employment policies of companies.
In this context, the new Observatory seeks to be a place where companies committed and responsible for making a positive impact can learn about and access the latest trends, opportunities and challenges in this matter. An example of this is the Impact Weighted Accounts Initiative, a Harvard University project that monetises the impact generated by a business activity, both the cost generated by its negative externalities, for example its carbon footprint, and the greater for its positive externalities. income generated, for example by its opportunity, talent and gender diversity policy for its employees.
The opportunity for attractive financing based on ESG criteria is clear. The global volume of ESG investments has reached the $35 trillion mark. For its part, impact investing (which intends to contribute to a social challenge not addressed by the traditional market) has doubled annually since 2016. According to the latest report by GIIN (Global Impact Investment Network), in 2007, impact investing reached $230,000 million and in 2022 it will reach $1,164 trillion.
Measurement
One of the objectives of the Impact Observatory is to promote best practices in the measurement, management and reporting of social and environmental impact, a major and complex issue that concerns business leaders.
Currently, the challenge is no longer focused on attempting to minimize the negative impact of a new requirement to maximize the positive impact generated by companies.
Along this path, it is necessary to address a deep and transversal change, define what impact (materiality of impact), how it will be measured (methodology and KPIs) and manage said impact to improve it. “You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” he explains. Maria Herrero, President of Impact Observatory and partner of Transcendent.
However, “when we look at the company with a fresh perspective based on impact, opportunities emerge that were previously unknown and unnoticed, which represent a huge competitive advantage for the company and which need to be strengthened and made profitable and, on the other hand, there are also risks that, without knowing it, could jeopardize the company’s value and, worse, its image and reputation”, says Herrero.
“The role of regulation around ESG issues can be considered as a high cost if we only talk about reporting and compliance. However, regulation also fosters funding opportunity, which is in line with social norms and good governance. is more attractive on the basis of pedro roderoVice President of Impact Observatory and Executive Chairman of Ontier Spain.
“Impact Observatory was born with a mission to promote impact in companies’ business strategy, at a time when investment and financial profitability take on a new meaning, that of measurable positive impact to society and the planet. “, assures. Angel Perez Agenzo, Transcendent’s Managing Partner.
Impact week
IMPACT observatory’s first activity will be celebrated impact weekWhich will take place in Madrid from 12 to 14 June and will bring together business and financial sector leaders around the theme of impact and sustainability in Spain and the world.
There will be extraordinary participation in this program sir ronald cohenRecognized worldwide as the father of impact investing and the founder of Global Steering Group for Impact Investing (initiative that was born out of the G8 in 2003), among other very important initiatives in terms of worldwide impact and social innovation, such as the first public-private bank in the United Kingdom with a budget of over £800 million for social financing Is. impact projects.
