ESG, sustainability & impact foundations · Core
Theory of change
Also called: ToC, impact pathway
ELI5
A causal explanation linking activities to outputs, outcomes and intended impact.
Used in conversation
“Which standard and reporting period govern theory of change?”
Pitch context
You will see “Theory of change” in sustainability reports, impact decks, climate plans and assurance materials when the discussion reaches esg, sustainability & impact foundations.
Why it matters: In esg, sustainability & impact foundations, the reporting boundary, method, period and evidence can materially change the claim.
Caution
State the reporting boundary, method, period and evidence; standards, regulation and assurance requirements vary.
Connected terms
- Impact pathwayThe search label “Impact pathway” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 9
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- IFRS Foundation / International Sustainability Standards Board — IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 Sustainability Disclosure StandardsDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Direct source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- International Organization for Standardization — ISO Net Zero Guidelines and related workDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- Strategyzer — Business Model Canvas resourcesSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- Strategyzer — Value Proposition Canvas resourcesSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- LEANSTACK — Lean CanvasSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division — Herfindahl-Hirschman IndexSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Census Bureau — Business and economy dataSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- GHG Protocol — Standards and GuidanceSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16