The most widely used definition of impact is the one from the Impact Management Project, which is the same as that of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
It is defined as positive and negative, primary and secondary long-term effects produced by an intervention, directly or indirectly, intended or unintended.
The Global Reporting Initiative defines ‘impact’ as the extent to which an organization affects the economy, society and/or the environment. This can indicate its contribution (positive or negative) to sustainable development.
The term ‘impact’ can refer to any of the following: positive, negative, actual, potential, direct, indirect, short-term or long-term impacts.
Various international organizations define impact in their own ways.
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