We are excited to present the second season of the Innovation Speaker Series in partnership with Canadian Environmental Network! Join us every month for a thought provoking presentation that will critique dominant ways of knowing, being, and doing, and allow us to create informed conversations that will lead to a more equitable and sustainable tomorrow.

Beyond ESG: The essential relationship between environmental and social sustainability

As the UN Sustainable Development Goals demonstrate, social and environmental sustainability are deeply interconnected. For example, Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) require both green infrastructure, such as energy-efficient buildings and clean public transit, and social equity initiatives, such as housing support and educational opportunities

to ensure community accessibility. In this session, Maria Murphy and Vikram Iyer of Bloom Funding will unpack how the most effective sustainability strategies incorporate both environmental and social impact. 

They will present a brief overview of NuMetric, their innovative & comprehensive assessment tool that integrates both social and environmental impact for small- and medium-sized businesses. Developed in partnership with The Decency Foundation, this metric and accompanying programs help businesses measure, improve, and enhance product/service quality, operations, employee well-being, environmental responsibility, and community involvement. The metric addresses a gap in resources specifically for small and medium-sized businesses and fulfills limitations in existing ESG indicators, which do not fully account for non-financial aspects of sustainability, such as community partnerships and workplace quality.

Our Presenters:

Vikram Iyer is an environmental professional with a diverse background in biological and social sciences. Having obtained a Master's in Environmental Assessment and federal work experience, Vikram is engaged in reimagining the way businesses, governments, and NGOs approach sustainability.

Maria Murphy came to her work in sustainability through an integrated approach to climate justice, drawing from her experience as the former Associate Director of the Center for Research in Feminist, Queer, and Trans Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Her work is driven by the belief that systemic change through sustainability must address both environmental and social dimensions.