Morningstar Sustainalytics’ Impact Framework is the bedrock of our approach to measuring impact and the basis of our Impact Solutions. Aligned with the globally recognized UN Sustainable Development Goals, it can help investors shape meaningful and transparent impact objectives.
The framework includes five environmental and social themes, Human Development, Resource Security, Climate Action, Healthy Ecosystems, Basic Needs, and one governance theme, Fair Business Conduct.
Impact Framework
Environmental Themes
Climate
Action
The global effort to curb the Earth’s temperature rise and cope with unavoidable consequences.
1. Green Buildings
2. Renewable Energy
3. Low-Carbon Transportation
4. Low-Carbon Manufacturing
5. Low-Carbon Agriculture
6. Carbon Emissions Reduction
7. Climate Change Adaptation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
13. Climate Action
Healthy Ecosystems
Safeguarding of ecologically sound environments on land, air and water.
8. Sustainable Food Production
9. Sustainable Forestry
10. Sustainable Land and Marine Use
11. Clean Air, Land, and Water
12. Pollution Prevention and Reduction
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-Being
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
15. Life on Land
Resource Security
Positively impacting natural resources through efficient use and circular economies.
13. Sustainable Water Use
14. Circular Economy
15. Energy Efficient Products and Services
2. Zero Hunger
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
11. Sustainable Cities and Communiities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
Social Themes
Governance Theme
Basic
Needs
Addressing the basic needs of humans, including access to food, housing, healthcare, clean water, and energy.
16. Affordable Housing
17. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
18. Peace & Human Security
19. Quality Health
20. Food Security
21. Access to Energy
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-Being
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Clean and Affordable Energy
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Human Development
Promoting human capabilities and progress through education, employment opportunities, and healthcare.
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
Fair Business Conduct
A baseline for social and environmental themes.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnership for the Goals
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
13. Climate Action
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-Being
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
2. Zero Hunger
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-Being
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Clean and Affordable Energy
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnership for the Goals
Spotlight on our Impact Themes
To learn more about the environmental and social themes within our Impact Framework, download these thematic reports which leverage our Impact Metrics to provide insights on a key issue for each theme.
1
Human Development
Enhancing human capabilities and promoting human progress. This includes measures that support education, improve equality, provide employment opportunities and advance healthcare.
4
Basic Needs
Addressing human needs, particularly those of low-income individuals. Basic needs include providing access to food, housing, essential healthcare (including major and neglected diseases), clean water, and energy for underserved populations. It also addresses human safety, including safe workplaces and communities.
2
Resource Security
The effort to secure the Earth's resources by using them efficiently and contributing to circular economies. Resources of concern include water, timber, metals, minerals, gases and all types of manufactured materials.
5
Healthy Ecosystem
The safeguarding of land, air and water to ensure ecologically safe environments. This does not include GHG emissions and water consumption, as these are covered under other themes.
3
Climate Action
The global effort to limit the Earth’s increasing temperature and manage its consequences. This includes measures to promote clean energy, reduce GHG emissions and adapt to climate change.
Subscribe to our blogs
Copyright © 2023 Sustainalytics. All Rights Reserved.
By accessing this website you confirm that as of December 1st, 2023, the ESG-related information, methodologies, tools, ratings, data and opinions contained or reflected herein are not directed to or intended for use or distribution to India-based clients or users and their distribution to Indian resident individuals or entities is not permitted, and Morningstar/Sustainalytics accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the actions of third parties in this respect.
I'm an expert in sustainable investing and impact measurement, with a deep understanding of Morningstar Sustainalytics' Impact Framework. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive knowledge of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, particularly in the context of sustainable development and responsible investing.
The Morningstar Sustainalytics' Impact Framework is a robust system that serves as the foundation for measuring impact, aligning with the globally recognized UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This framework consists of five environmental themes and one governance theme:
-
Climate Action:
- Impact Objectives: Green Buildings, Renewable Energy, Low-Carbon Transportation, Low-Carbon Manufacturing, Low-Carbon Agriculture, Carbon Emissions Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation.
- UN SDGs: Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action.
-
Healthy Ecosystems:
- Impact Objectives: Sustainable Food Production, Sustainable Forestry, Sustainable Land and Marine Use, Clean Air, Land, and Water, Pollution Prevention and Reduction.
- UN SDGs: Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and Production, Life on Land.
-
Resource Security:
- Impact Objectives: Sustainable Water Use, Circular Economy, Energy Efficient Products and Services.
- UN SDGs: Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production.
-
Basic Needs:
- Impact Objectives: Affordable Housing, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Peace & Human Security, Quality Health, Food Security, Access to Energy.
- UN SDGs: Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Clean and Affordable Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
-
Human Development:
- Impact Objectives: Quality Education, Gender Equality, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities.
- UN SDGs: Quality Education, Gender Equality, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities.
-
Fair Business Conduct:
- UN SDGs: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, Partnership for the Goals.
The Impact Framework is designed to help investors shape meaningful and transparent impact objectives. It provides a comprehensive approach to sustainable investing by addressing key environmental and social issues, promoting responsible governance, and aligning with the broader goals of the UN SDGs. The impact objectives outlined within each theme offer specific targets for investors looking to make a positive contribution to the world while achieving financial returns.
