Paragon Impact

Last week, our CEO Brett Wallington attended the ESG Africa Conference. Thanks to Alexforbes for inviting us to the event as their strategic partner for impact measurement & SDG Grading. Below, Brett shared some of his key insights from the panel discussions — particularly regarding retirement and pension funds: 💰 As we face unprecedented risks from climate change, ESG and socioeconomic challenges, it is important for wealth managers and investors to allocate funds responsibly. In volatile markets with climate and economic instability, it is extremely crucial to consider these climate risks in one’s investing decisions — so as to avoid the funds losing their value later down the line. In a bid to focus too much on the short-term gains, we must be careful not to lose sight of the long-term sustainability. 🌐 Frameworks and regulatory bodies such as the ISSB play a key role in consolidating the space around ESG and sustainability reporting. While we recognize there's still much to do, the interoperability between the GRI and the ISSB is a good starting point. With time, as these regulatory bodies evolve and refine their policies, we will see more actionable strategies in place. 🏦 In the coming years, the financial services sector is going to be very crucial. As they face mounting pressure from both governments and stakeholders, they will be required to iterate by allocating capital responsibly. At Paragon Impact, we are positioned to do the work and committed to maximizing impact within the sustainable finance space. Together, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future in finance and impact investing. . . . #sustainability #ESG #ImpactMeasurement #SDGGrading #ResponsibleInvesting #investing #riskmanagement

Businesses aligning their strategies and actions with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are less likely to be embroiled in scandals, a study has found. Analysts at the University of Zurich assessed data of 7,700+ companies over 11 years to reach this conclusion. Findings from the study: 👉 1% increase in a business’s alignment with just one SDG results in an 11% decrease in the number of scandals a company faced in one year 👉 The decrease was even more pronounced (17%) for severe scandals Moreover, out of the 17 Global Goals, 3 SDGs showed a significantly negative association with future scandals: - SDG 1 (No Poverty) - SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy for All) - SDG 13 (Climate Action) Corporate scandals adversely affect market value and often have negative societal and environmental impacts. Aligning investments with the SDGs thus enables investors to enhance their financial and sustainability objectives. In this regard, SDG alignment is a more accurate predictor of future scandals than simply tracking traditional ESG ranking metrics. At Paragon Impact, our digital SDG Grading Platform was built to help businesses assess whether their activities align with the 17 Global Goals. Our SDG assessment tool measures corporate alignment and impact on each of the 17 SDGs — on a scale from negative to positive. Curious to learn more? Book a live demo of our SDG Grading Platform (link in comments). Or simply, reach out to our team Philip Faure, Amy King and Brett Wallington. . . . #sdgs #sustainability #esg #corporate #riskmanagement #advisory #study

More than half of sustainability teams lack resources to respond to rising reporting requirements: edie UK’s Sustainable Business Tracker Report edie recently conducted an in-depth survey of over 180 business and sustainability leaders across all major UK sectors. According to edie’s report: - ESG regulations have increased by 155% in the past decade - 50% of companies are actively working on the CSRD - 53% are actively working on Climate Transition Plans - Only 9% have a team of 10+ people working in sustainability There are a number of big-ticket regulatory pieces that corporates are juggling at the moment such as the CSRD, TNFD, TCFD and ISSB, among others. These are all giant frameworks - each containing thousands of pages of guidance to trawl through and even more data sets to build in order to report against them. The mounting pressures created by these regulations mean that many sustainability teams feel understaffed and under-resourced to treat them as anything other than compliance. At Paragon Impact, we understand this dilemma. Our team of engineers, researchers and impact analysts have developed the Paragon Grading Tool specifically for this purpose — to help businesses simplify their sustainability reporting process and focus on maximising their ESG impact. The tool comes embedded with key global frameworks such as the ISSB, GRI, CSRD, TNFD and more to enable modular data collection, monitoring and analysis. At a time when businesses are facing pressure to accelerate their progress toward sustainability and net zero, sustainability professionals are meant to act as change agents and powerful activators within their business. But there is a danger that the time and resource allocation turns them into accountants. With proper guidance and the right tools in your arsenal, this can be avoided. Interested to know how the Paragon Grading Tool can assist your sustainability journey? Request a live demo (link in comments) 👇 Or reach out to our team Philip, Amy King and Brett Wallington. . . . . #sustainability #cso #corporate #esg #esgreporting #reporting #uk

We are pleased to announce a strategic partnership with prestigious law firm Weightmans and Stories Evolved to expand upon our full-suite services of ESG impact management, helping businesses to truly understand their ESG risks and opportunities and achieve meaningful impact. This collaboration combines Paragon Impact’s cutting-edge technology with deep regulatory expertise brought by Christina Bartholomew and Aimée Girdwood and the Weightmans team to offer complete, end-to-end solutions for the ESG needs of all businesses — as well as tech and data management services for high quality ESG disclosures. When it comes to measuring and reporting from an ESG context, data speaks volumes. Our cloud-based platform enables modular ESG data collection, monitoring, analysis and reporting to support C suite and senior executives in their ESG journey. With this partnership, we look forward to guiding businesses on their ESG journeys, helping them not just meet regulatory requirements but thrive in an impact-driven economy 🌐 . . . #news #partnership #esg #reporting #impactmanagement #sustainability

Today marks International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer — a reminder of the role this thin shield plays in protecting our planet. On this day in 1987, the Montreal Protocol was signed by 46 countries of the United Nations General Assembly to phase out all ozone-depleting substances. The ozone layer is vital for shielding us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This protection is essential for mitigating health risks, preventing environmental degradation, and maintaining ecosystem stability. As businesses, we have a responsibility to proactively address our environmental footprint and contribute to preserve this essential layer. Through innovative ESG strategies and impact management, we can make this happen. We encourage all businesses to evaluate and enhance their environmental strategies to contribute to the long-term health of our planet. By doing so, we collectively advance towards a more sustainable and resilient future. . . . . #ozonelayer #sustainability #esg #climatechange #climateaction

Get Ready for UN Global Compact Flag Day! As we’re almost halfway through September, it's time to start preparing for UN Global Compact Flag Day on the 25th of this month. This day is dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of the United Nations Global Compact’s Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs). These Global Goals guide businesses worldwide in their commitment to ethical practices and sustainability. Join organisations across the globe in showing your support for the United Nations Global Compact. Flying the flag is a powerful symbol of your commitment to making the world a better place through responsible business practices. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this global movement. Order your flag today and get ready to raise it high on September 25th. . . . #UNGCFlagDay #sustainability #SDGs #sustainabledevelopment #globalgoals #ungc #business

This chart by S&P Global represents the massive hidden environmental costs of air pollution and GHG emissions — especially for major industries such as fossil fuels, electric power generation, manufacturing and mining. These global industries are predicted to incur environmental damage costs running into hundreds of billions of dollars. The figures below are an important reminder that the environmental impacts of business operations — though often not reflected in financial statements — are profound and far-reaching. As we move towards a more sustainable future, it's imperative for companies to acknowledge and address these hidden costs. The question isn't just about profit margins anymore — it's about the long-term viability of our planet and the industries that depend on it. Want to get a deeper understanding of your emissions and receive expert guidance on reduction strategies? Contact us today for our comprehensive carbon monitoring solutions. #Sustainability #impactassessment #GHG #AirPollution #csr #ESG #SustainableBusiness #ClimateChange #carbonaccounting

Congrats to Alex van den Heever and team. Lead by an amazing passion for purpose that you have never deviated from.

Today, on International Primate Day, we recognise the vital role that primates play in our ecosystems and the urgent need to protect them. These remarkable creatures, our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, face numerous threats, including habitat loss, hunting, and illegal trade. Did you know that nearly 60% of primate species are threatened with extinction, and 75% have declining populations? Their survival is crucial not just for biodiversity but for the overall health of our planet. Primates are essential for maintaining the balance of their ecosystems. They play a critical role in seed dispersal, which helps to regenerate forests, and they contribute to the overall health of their habitats. Protecting primates means protecting the ecosystems that are vital to our planet's health and to combating climate change. Protecting primates is intrinsically linked to broader environmental goals, such as those outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 15: Life on Land emphasises the importance of conserving biodiversity, while SDG 13: Climate Action highlights the critical role natural habitats play in combating climate change. As we reflect on the importance of preserving these species, let’s also consider the broader impact on our world. The well-being of primates is a barometer of the health of our ecosystems, and by protecting them, we protect the future of our planet. #InternationalPrimateDay #Biodiversity #Conservation #SDGs #ClimateAction #LifeOnLand #Sustainability #SustainableDevelopment

In recent years several ESG frameworks have included water usage, conservation, and management as metrics. Both the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) include water-related reporting. Global reporting frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the ISSB also include water management metrics. Besides, a third of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are closely linked to water, with SDG 6 focussing on clean water availability and sanitation. From consumer interest to reporting on sustainability goals and meeting stakeholder expectations — there is a clear business case for organisations to engage in water stewardship. In honour of Water Week, we’d like to share this article below which highlights how businesses can embrace water stewardship and play an active role in driving global water security. Give it a read and share your thoughts with us. . . . #waterweek #sustainability #csr #esg #conservation