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, in an intentional or unintentional manner.
The Global Reporting Initiative defines ‘impact’ as the extent to which an organisation affects the economy, society and/or the environment. This can be used to assess and report positive and negative effects - emanating from a project, program or business activity - on environment, economy and society.
Various international organisations define impact in their own ways.
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