“A ‘new deal’ on the social and ecological impact of companies is essential”

Lhe enthusiasm around the societal impact of economic actors is real, both among companies, funders and public actors, and within public opinion, which challenges them to move the lines. But the absence of a definition and of common nomenclatures could generate risks of confusion, both for customers and consumers, for financiers, and for the companies themselves.

The lack of consensus on what impact is and how it is measured can confuse public action and economic players, disperse the commitment of companies and associations, discredit the players involved in a process of ambitious impact, when others are content with communication plans and false promises ofimpact-washing.

Even though the European agenda on impact strategies and taxonomy coincides with the opening of a new five-year term in France and the return of the government, it is time to establish a new consensus between financial players, civil society, businesses and public authorities. This necessary agreement must be based, on the one hand, on new legislative and regulatory frameworks, in France and in Europe, commensurate with the social and ecological emergency, and, on the other, on the commitment of private actors. , companies and investors, networks and professional organisations, to develop and measure the societal impact of their activities.

This is what is at stake in the reflection of some thirty business leaders and professional organizations, associations, specialist researchers and public and private decision-makers, brought together by the Impact Tank, a think tank created at the initiative of S.O.S. group and four universities (Sciences Po, Sorbonne University, National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts, Paris Dauphine-PSL), with the participation of the investment company Meridiam. Its conclusions aim to agree on common definitions, to offer companies a methodology, to formalize a theory of change aligned with their ambitions and to measure their results because, more than ever, we need proof of impact.

Harmonize practices

This “new deal” is now essential for public decision-makers and the business world to come together around a common and renewed ambition, by offering similar benchmarks in order to harmonize practices and decision-making, and increase societal performance.

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