Community investments are total community investments that refer to actual expenditures in the reporting period, not commitments. A company can calculate community investments as voluntary donations plus investment of funds in the broader community where the target beneficiaries are external to the company. Voluntary donations and investment of funds in the broader community where the target beneficiaries are external to the company can include: Contributions to charities, non-governmental/civil society organisations, and research institutes (unrelated to the company’s commercial research and development) Funds to support community infrastructure, such as recreational facilities Direct costs of social programs, including arts and educational events Community investments exclude legal and commercial activities or where the purpose of the investment is exclusively commercial. Community investments also exclude any infrastructure investment that is driven primarily by core business needs, or to facilitate the business operations of a company. Infrastructure investments driven primarily by core business needs can include, for example, building a road to a mine or a factory. The calculation of investment can include infrastructure built outside the main business activities of the company, such as a school or hospital for workers and their families. The company should consider any negative impact that could result from activities that aim for a positive contribution to sustainable development. Negative impact cannot be offset by positive impact. For example, a renewable energy installation may reduce a region’s dependence on fossil fuels and bring energy to underserved communities but the development displaces local communities from their lands or territories without their consent. Impact is a change in an important positive or negative outcome for the people or the environment. The company should consider any negative impact that could result from activities that aim for a positive contribution to sustainable development.
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