Understanding impact: an introduction to sustainability reporting for SMEs

Understanding Impact

Consumer expectations on how businesses should operate are changing. No longer is it sufficient for businesses to simply offer reliable goods and services, increasingly people are voting with their feet, and opting to back businesses that can evidence their positive social and environmental impact. Investors are also wanting to understand the environmental and social risks businesses are exposed to, and how they are protecting the social and environmental foundations that their financial value creation relies upon.

Delivered through a three-part series of one-hour interactive webinars, experts from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and SME business leaders will share insights on impact reporting for SMEs. This programme will explore how SMEs can:

  • Understand their social and environmental impacts
  • Create long-term success and open up new markets
  • Utilise tools and frameworks to report on non-financial impacts

This programme is part funded by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund, and is available for free to SMEs based in England, with priority given to those in part of the East of England.

Applications have now closed.

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Format

Free short online Accelerator programme, delivered through a three-part series of one-hour interactive webinars plus a virtual networking event.

Join this programme, designed for ambitious small business leaders, and you will:

  • Develop your understanding of the rapidly changing world of non-financial reporting
  • Understand the tools and approaches available to implement non-financial reporting in your business
  • Gain insights into the advantages and limitations of different approaches
  • Learn practical lessons from SMEs that have used different tools and approaches
  • Build your network with likeminded SMEs
  • Follow-on business support by the CISL Accelerator is also available

Programme structure

Week 1: Gain an overview of the rapidly changing world of non-financial reporting. You’ll build an understanding of the origins and drivers for impact and non-financial reporting, and assess the tools and certifications available to SMEs, including B Corp; Future Fit Business; SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment; TCFD and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). 

Weeks 2 and 3: Practitioner perspectives: SMEs who have successfully implemented impact reporting in their business share their stories and experience on the approaches they used, challenges they faced, and the results of impact reporting on their business success. 

The webinars will take place on Wednesday 17 June, Thursday 25 June and Thursday 2 July. 

Contributors

  • Nick Villiers, Director, Centre for Sustainable Finance, CISL
  • Ben Kellard, Director of Business Strategy, CISL
  • Viola Jardon, Accelerator Programme Manager, CISL
  • Didrik Nygaard, Sustainability Programme Manager, Bright Products
  • Thabelo Siala, Director & CEO, Tipp Focus
  • Jack Mazwi, Executive Chairman and Director, Tipp Focus
  • Georgia Phillips, Partnerships Lead, Pukka Herbs