Update:  See Mareike's wrap-up post on NextBillion.net offering insights on discussing highlights of the panel and thoughts on sustainable SME investment.

The World Resources Institute will host a panel on Monitoring and Evaluation at the TBLI Europe 2007 conference on November 16th.  The panel, tentatively titled "Are We Making a Difference? Monitoring & Evaluation of Environmental and Social Impacts," will feature the following speakers:

• Emma Staub, Africa Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer, E+Co
• Mildred Callear, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Small Enterprise Assistance Funds
• Eluma Obibuaku, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, Social and Environmental Department, International Finance Corporation
• Ben Ripple, CEO, Bening Big Tree Farns Co.
  

Full description:
The idea of the Triple Bottom Line has become a widely popular concept among investors and the CSR community. However, while many apply Triple Bottom Line strategies, few have gotten to grips with quantifying the environmental and social parts of this bottom line.

From biofuels and cleantech to social entrepreneurship – sustainable investments are en vogue. And the range of investors active in this space is growing beyond the development finance and SRI niche - mainstream venture capitalists are recognizing the commercial opportunities in clean technologies, high-net worth individuals are seeking ways to put their capital to work while also doing good, and grant-giving institutions are hoping to create longer term impact through investment into beneficial business projects. 

Projects seeking investment from any these investors will need to clearly demonstrate the environmental and social impact they are generating. A social entrepreneur seeking finance needs to lay out how his or her impact on poverty alleviation or health will be at least as significant as that of a grant to a traditional development project. Other investments competing for commercial capital may have to demonstrate their added societal value to convince investors to take on the higher risk of an unproven market. 

On all sides, the expectation to know whether and how you are making a difference is rising. Entrepreneurs, project developers and intermediaries who want to compete successfully for green or social capital need to provide sound evidence of their impacts on society and the health of our planet.

The WRI panel will examine impact monitoring and evaluation for investments in sustainable enterprise. Potential themes include: