Integrated Decision-Making Framework
Decision-makers in all organizations need complete and consistent information to make decisions that build competitiveness and resilience.
Often, direct financial impacts are prioritized in decision-making, while other impacts, such as those related to nature, people and society are not considered to the same extent, although equally real and tangible. Therefore, there is a business case for integrated decision-making from both a financial and a long term value perspective.
Over the past year, the Capitals Coalition’s global community has been dedicated to advancing a significant systems-level innovation with the aim to facilitate and embed the Principles of the Integrated Capitals Assessment into decision-making in a practical and accessible manner.
As we strive to build a more sustainable and equitable future, the Integrated Decision-Making Framework offers a valuable roadmap to navigate the complex landscape in which we all live, and is a testament to the power of systems thinking, the importance of considering the interconnectedness of all aspects of our world, and the value of what truly matters.
The need for a more holistic approach, one that considers the interconnectedness of our planet’s natural, social, human, and produced capital, has never been more urgent.
A practical approach to integrated decision-making
Only through the rigor of a structured process can we increase transparency and consistency, and embed values into decision-making. A stepwise integrated capitals assessment is needed, secured by a robust governance structure to test confidence in and suitability of the valuation of impacts and dependencies used.
For an integrated capital assessment to be truly valuable, it must be paired with robust governance. This ensures that the valuation used is transparent and fit for the purpose of the decision, giving decisionmakers confidence in the assessment’s outcome. For a high-level introduction to the purpose, structure, and available technical guidance that the Integrated Decision-Making Framework provides, the Primer on Integrated Decision-Making is the best starting point.
The Integrated Decision-Making Framework provides a practical approach for an integrated capitals assessment with a clear governance structure. It also provides detailed technical guidance for practitioners and it is aimed to support them in preparing capitals information for decision-making. The Capitals Protocol and Governance for Valuation provide the necessary guidance and tools to ensure that this integration is done effectively, transparently, and with confidence.
What are the Principles of Integrated Capitals Assessment?
Further Information
Pilot-testing Opportunity
If you are interested in piloting (parts) of the Framework, please complete this pilot testing form.
This will help us collate information regarding the pilots to be conducted by organizations, corporations, and others. It includes information such as dates, contact person, sections to be tested, and more.
How you can contribute
- Pick up the Integrated Decision-Making Framework
- Pilot (relevant) required steps, using the Capitals Protocol for reference, and explore how Governance for Valuation could boost confidence in your understanding and use of valuing impacts and dependencies on capitals to inform decisions.
- We need a strong collaboration to achieve the result. Sharing your learnings with peers, colleagues, and stakeholders and joining our online curated discussions is a step in this direction.
- Be ahead of the game to proactively manage your risks and opportunities.
Audience
Decision-makers – Those responsible for making decisions in all types of organizations including business, finance, and government. If the Capitals Protocol has been followed in preparing the information presented to a decision-maker, and the Governance for Valuation is used to ensure suitability of the valuation approach, then they can be confident that a robust process has been followed for the stated objective.
• Practitioners – Technical knowledge experts supporting decision-makers. For practitioners, the Capitals Protocol provides detailed technical guidance on how to conduct an integrated assessment and measure and value impacts and dependencies on four capitals. And the Transparency Requirements and Confidence Criteria from the Governance for Valuation ensures the valuation approach is fit-for purpose and technically robust.
• Regulators – Supporters of decision-making and governance in business and institutions. An integrated approach, as set out in the Capitals Protocol, can contribute to smart regulation by providing a robust process to look at the independence of issues and a framework by which to develop integrated policy. Requiring the application of governance across sectors and markets, can deliver consistent outputs to improve confidence and reliability. For a high-level introduction on the purpose, structure, and available technical guidance that the Integrated Decision-Making Framework provides, the Primer on Integrated Decision-Making is the best starting point.
Join the Coalition
Become part of a dynamic global collaboration of leaders and leading organizations who have united around a purpose-driven ambition.
