ESG EXPLAINED
What Is Impact Measurement and Management (IMM)?
12 December 2025 | By pie strategy ltd.
What Is Impact Measurement and Management (IMM)?
12 December 2025 | By pie strategy ltd.
ESG EXPLAINED
According to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, a staggering 83% of global SDG targets are off-track, stagnant or regressing as the 2030 deadline approaches.
In response to this alarming trend, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) introduced the SDG Impact Standards. Rather than a disclosure framework, these Standards serve as a best-practice guide and decision-making tool, with Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) at their core.
Corporate volunteering and charitable donations are commendable efforts, but without proper impact measurement, it could be hard to ensure time and resources are allocated effectively to generate positive outcomes for stakeholders rather than unintended harm. More importantly, how can businesses refine their future decision-making processes to amplify impact?
A shared language around IMM has emerged globally, aligning investors, businesses, social organisations and governments.
Effective tools must address five dimensions of impact:
A shared language around IMM has emerged globally, aligning investors, businesses, social organisations and governments.
Effective tools must address five dimensions of impact:
- What change is created?
- Who experiences it?
- How much change occurs?
- How much is contributed by the programme?
- What are the impact risks?
Businesses play a vital role in addressing sustainability challenges.
By applying IMM and these Standards, businesses can systematically improve decisions in investment, product development, resource allocation and operations, mitigating the risks of “impact washing” while helping companies capitalise on SDG-aligned opportunities.
Businesses play a vital role in addressing sustainability challenges. Companies can contribute meaningfully to sustaining economic, social and environmental stability while unlocking growth opportunities.
Businesses play a vital role in addressing sustainability challenges. Companies can contribute meaningfully to sustaining economic, social and environmental stability while unlocking growth opportunities.
About ESG Explained
ESG Explained is a short article series by PIE Strategy, supported by PIE Matters, our charitable foundation, as part of its mission to promote sustainability awareness and learning. The series distils complex ESG and sustainability topics into clear, accessible reads for anyone seeking to better understand the ideas and choices shaping a more sustainable future.
ESG Explained is a short article series by PIE Strategy, supported by PIE Matters, our charitable foundation, as part of its mission to promote sustainability awareness and learning. The series distils complex ESG and sustainability topics into clear, accessible reads for anyone seeking to better understand the ideas and choices shaping a more sustainable future.
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