FAQ
+ – What is your field of expertise?
We are providing an integral assessment of the environmental and societal impact of companies, listed or private.
+ – What methodology are you using?
Our methodology is based on international standards such as the Impact Management Project (IMP) and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Please check out our detailed methodology (bottom) for more information.
+ – What is the difference between impact analysis and ESG analysis?
Impact goes further than ESG as it takes into account not only how a company mitigates its negative impacts, but how it delivers on social and environmental benefits and how it integrates impact within its governance. In that sense, you could consider impact the evolution of ESG. More details on our ESG to impact page.
+ – As a rating agency are you regulated?
No. Since we are using extra financial data, we are outside the scope of the Benchmark directives. We do abide, however, by the same rules and regulations that apply to regulated rating agencies (credit rating agencies) to ensure that we provide the highest standards in how we conduct our activities. See our Compliance page for more information.
+ – As a rating agency are you subject to regular audit of your activities?
No, as a non regulated agency we have no obligation to audit our rating activity on a regular basis. We are planning, however, to request regular audits in order to maintain the highest standards. Moreover, as a certified B Corp our own social and environmental performance has been audited by a third party. As a company our financials are audited on a regular basis. Finally, our methodology is based on an open source methodology (the Impact Management Project).
+ – What type of data are you using to analyse companies?
In our evaluation of a listed company, we use all the data that is publicly made available by that company, and cross-reference with industry specific databases for background. The data collection for private companies is accomplished through online questionnaires and interviews with company representatives.
+ – Can you explain how the services provided by impak are different from traditional ESG agencies?
First, the scope of analysis is different. ESG looks at how a company mitigates its negative impacts. Our Impact Statements go further and look at how a company generates positive social and environmental impacts. Second, we use recognized international standards as our analysis framework: the Impact Management Project and the 17 UN SDGs. This is a significant advantage as using such standards allow comparisons between analyses from different firms. This is not possible in the ESG world as there are as many rating methodologies as there are ESG ratings firms.
+ – Do you provide historical datas?
Not yet. We are a relatively new player in the industry and are building our ratings universe. We will, however, build our historical data over time, as we provide a yearly update for all companies for which we provide a rating.
+ – Who are your targeted clients?
Our main clients are asset managers. They use the tool to inform their decision-making process in the execution of an impact investment strategy. We are also developing an impact index practice, where we will develop either benchmark or tradable indices with or for regulated entities. Furthermore, issuers (the companies we rate) could constitute clients as well, as they could use our impact statements as management tools to improve their impact performance.
+ – Who are your competitors?
Most other rating agencies are using ESG data, which is very different from what we are doing (cf previous answer). As far as we now, we are the sole impact rating agency that uses the IMP and that provides such breadth and depth of data in its analysis.
+ – Do you provide climate impact data?
We are a rating agency, we are providing global impact assessments using climate impact data but we are not a climate data provider per se.
+ – Do you provide carbon impact data?
We are a rating agency, we are providing global impact assessments using carbon impact data but we are not a carbon data provider per se.
+ – How often do you provide rating data on the same issuer?
We are updating our scoring on an annual basis, using the annual reports published by the issuer. If any information is made public that could significantly affect the impak Scoretm of the company, we will update the rating accordingly.