IRIS Working Groups IRIS+ Upgrade

The organization aspires to create a world in which social and environmental factors are routinely integrated into investment decisions, as the 'normal' way of doing things. Impact investments are defined as investments made with the intention to generate measurable, positive social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. The GIIN has developed a roadmap for the future of impact investing, a collective action plan developed through consultations with 350 stakeholders and GIIN expertise. This roadmap assesses progress made over the past decade and identifies priorities to address remaining gaps. The plan comprises six categories of action, each describing what is needed, why, who should lead, and by when progress should be achieved. These categories are designed to strengthen the identity of impact investing and provide a framework for its implementation. One of the key components of the GIIN's roadmap is the IRIS+ System, a tool designed to help investors measure and manage their impact. The IRIS+ System is a framework for identifying, measuring, and managing the social and environmental impact of investments. It provides a set of core characteristics of impact investing, which serve as a guide for good practice. The system also includes a set of metrics and indicators that can be used to measure and track impact over time. The GIIN's roadmap for the future of impact investing emphasizes the importance of impact measurement and management (IMM) in achieving the goals of impact investing. IMM involves the systematic collection and analysis of data on the social and environmental impact of investments, as well as the development of strategies to manage and mitigate any negative impacts. By integrating IMM into investment decisions, investors can ensure that their investments are generating the desired social and environmental outcomes, while also delivering financial returns. The GIIN's six categories of action needed to advance impact investing include strengthening the identity of impact investing, developing a common language and framework for impact measurement, and improving the availability and quality of impact data. The organization also emphasizes the need for greater collaboration and coordination among stakeholders, as well as the development of new tools and technologies to support impact investing. By working together to address these challenges, the GIIN believes that impact investing can become a mainstream investment approach, generating significant social and environmental benefits while also delivering financial returns.