Impact Centre

UNEP FI developed the Holistic Impact Methodology, providing an integrated approach to impact management by connecting social, environmental, and economic factors. It enables members to identify and manage both positive and negative impacts, addressing risks and opportunities while aligning with international standards such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Rooted in geographic and business context, the methodology focuses on what matters most to each organization and its stakeholders. Adapted for the financial sector yet flexible enough for clients and investors, it supports members across diverse contexts and helps them stay ahead of emerging sustainability expectations through a rich set of resources. Find out more.

Through the Impact Centre, UNEP FI has developed a suite of resources to help finance sector practitioners identify, understand and manage their impacts and associated financial risks and opportunities.

In addition, the Impact Centre offers tailored implementation support for UNEP FI members. This support includes online tutorials and recordings, on-demand workshops, one on one technical assistance.

UNEP FI’s Holistic Impact Methodology and suite of impact management resources are intentionally designed to be interoperable with global sustainability frameworks. In addition, the Impact Centre develops specific interoperability solutions. These include resources for SDG alignment and for the implementation of the EU Environmental & Social Reporting Standards (ESRS). Find out more.

By engaging peer organizations and standard setters UNEP FI actively promotes harmonized and interoperable approaches to sustainability and impact management. UNEP FI is a founding Co-Chair and participant in the Impact Management Platform (IMP), a collaboration between leading providers of public good standards, frameworks, tools, and guidance for managing sustainability impacts. Find out more.

UNEP FI’s Impact Centre contributes to UNEP FI’s industry and thematic teams in developing and refining impact‑related methodologies, tools, and resources. This includes ensuring alignment with the Holistic Impact Methodology, integrating best practices in impact management, and helping teams embed a consistent, high‑quality approach across their sector‑specific work. Through this support, UNEP FI has produced a wide range of resources on different thematic areas, including climate change adaptation, nature, circularity, decent work, financial inclusion and financial health among others. Learn more

Impact Management is the process by which organizations strategically identify, understand, and manage the positive and negative effects of their business activities. UNEP FI’s leadership is built on its Holistic Impact Methodology, a pioneering approach that helps the finance sector align with international standards and global goals to help close the sustainable financing gap. More information on impact management can be found on the website of the Impact Management Platform, a collaboration between leading sustainability related initiatives working together to drive common definitions and promote interoperability. 

Impact and risk are inextricably linked; managing one is essential for the management of the other. A holistic impact analysis helps institutions anticipate and manage potential unintended consequences and system-wide risks, as well as identify potential opportunities. This strategic integration serves both “impact materiality” (managing impacts to people, society and the natural environment) and “financial materiality” (managing financial risks and opportunities).