AE4RIA Metrix – About Us
Figure 1 Mapping the units across the Value Chain
Figure 2- Materiality assessment
Figure 3 – ESG Key Performance Indicators at Various Scales
Figure 5 – ESG / SDG Performance Dashboards Across the Value Chain
In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets. All 193 United Nations member states have committed to achieve sustainable development across its three dimensions – economic, social, and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner. In order to assist countries and policy makers in measuring their progress towards the achievement of the SDGs, the Sustainable Development Goals Index and Dashboards (SDG Index) were developed in 2016.
Global and National Implementation of the SDGs require Non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial and educational institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action.
AE4RIA metrix offers tools and solutions which refer to the downscaling of the UN SDSN frameworks and the quantification of the ESG and SDG footprint of Companies in line with CSRD. Our decision-making tools assist companies in developing their pathways towards sustainability, creating true value, far beyond compliance.
AE4RIA metrix also covers the development of the harmonized data collection process across the value chain, and the development of a database to communicate with the provided tools.
Figure 4– Corporate Sustainability assessment framework
The above methodologies are integrated in tools/Dashboards to assist decision making towards the implementation of the ESGs and SDGs at the corporate level (Figure 5). The Dashboards consist of a holistic rating tool to measure the annual level of implementation of the company’s targets for 2030 and 2050, also providing an estimation of the Trends and Company’s pathways towards the long-term targets.
Dashboards are supported with Scenario testing Modules, which allow company to test and shortlist interventions considering the complex interdependencies between ESG Indicators towards the implementation of the SDGs.
The SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Integrating SDGs into corporate reporting aligns businesses with a global agenda, promoting international cooperation and consistency in addressing pressing global challenges:
Enhanced Transparency
Reporting on SDGs adds an additional layer of transparency to corporate sustainability efforts. It enables stakeholders, including investors, customers, and the public, to better understand a company’s contributions to sustainable development and assess its impact on social and environmental issues.
Risk Mitigation
By reporting on SDGs, companies can identify and address risks associated with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors more effectively. This proactive approach can help mitigate risks related to regulatory changes, supply chain disruptions, reputational damage, and more.
Competitive Advantage
Companies that integrate SDGs into their long-term planning and reporting schemes, can gain a competitive advantage. Such reporting demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, which can attract socially conscious investors, customers, and partners. It also differentiates the company in the marketplace.
Long-term Value Creation
The SDGs emphasize long-term sustainable development. When businesses align their strategies and reporting with these goals, they are more likely to focus on creating value over the long term, rather than pursuing short-term gains that may harm the environment or society.
Innovation and Efficiency
Pursuing the SDGs often leads to innovative solutions and improved operational efficiencies. By incorporating SDGs into their reporting framework, companies can drive innovation in products, services, and processes that contribute to sustainability and profitability.
Employee Engagement
Many employees are passionate about sustainability and social impact. Integrating SDGs into corporate reporting can engage and motivate employees by showing how their work contributes to meaningful global goals, enhancing morale and attracting top talent.
Access to Capital
Investors are increasingly considering ESG factors when making investment decisions. Companies that align with SDGs are more likely to attract investment capital, including from sustainable and impact-focused funds.
Government and Regulatory Support
Governments and regulatory bodies may provide incentives, subsidies, or favorable treatment to companies that actively contribute to SDGs. Integrating these goals into reporting can facilitate cooperation with governments and help businesses access support programs.
Positive Public Perception
Companies that embrace SDGs in their reporting can enhance their public image. This can lead to increased customer loyalty, trust, and positive brand reputation.
Prof. Phoebe Koundouri
Phoebe Koundouri (PhD Cambridge University) is full Professor in Economics and Econometrics and Director of Research Laboratory on Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability, Athens University of Economics and Business. She is also part-time Research Professor in Environmental Economics at the Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark co-leading the Climate and Energy Division of the Technology, Management and Economics Department. She is also Director of the Sustainable Development Unit at ATHENA Information Technologies Research Center. In the past she taught at the University of Cambridge (UK), University College London (UK), University of Reading (UK) and the London School of Economics (UK). She is elected President European Association of Environmental Resource Economists, Chair of the World Council of Environmental Resource Economists Association, Chair of UN SDSN Global Climate Hub, co-Chair of SDSN Europe & SDSN Greece and Founder of the Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Aeiphoria (AE4RIA). AE4RIA brings together all of the above institutions, in addition to a number of innovation incubators/ accelerators and science-policy networks that Prof. Phoebe Koundouri leads or co-leads. AE4RIA employs about 200 researchers, working on more than 100 large international research projects, influencing policymaking across Europe and beyond. Professor Koundouri advises the World Bank, European Commission, EIB, EBRD, OECD and other multilateral/international organizations, governments, and foundations across the world.
Professor Phoebe Koundouri is listed in the Stanford University list of Top 2% most cited scientists in the world. Among many academic distinctions, she has received the prestigious European Research Council Synergy Grant and the 2023 Award of Excellence in Science of the Academy of Athens (given every four years) she is elected fellow of Academia Europae, member of Board of the Trustees of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) , member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, member of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) , and member of the selection committee of the Nobel Prize in Economics. She has given numerous scientific keynote speeches and public lectures in more than 120 countries.
AE4RIA - Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Αephoria
Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Aeiphoria (AE4RIA) is an initiative for collaboration between (i) Research Institutions: ReSEES: Research on Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability and Stochastic Modeling and Applications Laboratory at Athens University of Economics and Business, the Sustainable Development Unit (SD.U) at ATHENA Research Center) , and the Climate and Energy Division of the Technology, Management and Economics Department of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) (ii) Innovation Acceleration Hubs: SDSN Global Climate Hub, EIT Climate-KIC , BRIGAID-Connect: Technologies for Climate Adaptation, MENA Maritime Accelerator, Black Sea Accelerator Nexus Cluster and (iii) Science-Policy Networks: Sustainable Development Solutions Network, SDSN Europe, SDSN Greece , Water Europe and (iv) Scientific Associations and Academies: European Association Of Environmental And Resource Economists (EAERE), World Council Of Environmental And Resource Economists Associations (WCEREA), Academia Europaea, World Academy Of Art And Science (WAAS), Interacademy Partnership (IAP), and European Academy Of Sciences And Arts. AE4RIA involves more than 200 researchers (economists, mathematicians, statisticians, engineers, natural scientists, as well as experts from the social and human sciences) with the mission of shaping the necessary human-centred techno-economic transformation towards the joint implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals UN 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the European Green Deal. AE4RIA’s work has influenced the formulation of European and Global policies related to the management of natural resources, and the crises of climate change and ecosystem collapse. The Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Αephoria (AE4RIA) supports the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Global Climate Hub with the knowledge and expertise gained by many ERC, Horizon2020, Horizon EU, PRIMA, Erasmus+ research projects under the following thematic priorities:
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation and Sustainable Finance
SDGs – ESG: Quantification and Acceleration
Through the Hosting Institutions of the SDSN Global Climate Hub and UN SDSN Network, there is also a strong connection with the following Initiatives:
SDSN European Green Deal Senior Working Group
Pricing Externalities Initiative
Professional Course: UN SDSN ESG
SDGs Transformation in Universities
Our People
Prof. Phoebe Koundouri
Dr. Conrad Felix Michel Landis
Dr. Vera Alexandropoulou
Dr. Angelos Plataniotis
Dr. Kostas Dellis
Mrs. Mary Psilou
