In sustainability accounting, which factor helps estimate the likelihood of sustainability impacts?

C. Historical evidence and future conditions is the correct choice because this factor encompasses the analysis of past data and existing trends to forecast sustainability impacts effectively. Historical evidence provides insights into how certain practices have previously influenced sustainability outcomes, allowing analysts to identify patterns, successes, and failures. Additionally, considering future conditions includes examining potential changes such as technology advancements, regulatory shifts, and evolving social values that may alter sustainability impacts. This holistic approach ensures that predictions are grounded in empirical data while also being adaptable to emerging circumstances, making it a comprehensive method for estimating sustainability impacts.

In contrast, projected market growth focuses narrowly on economic aspects without directly relating to sustainability impacts, while actual financial performance may reflect outcomes but does not inherently capture sustainability considerations. Industry-wide trends, while informative, may not provide the specificity needed for an accurate estimation of impacts for a particular entity or project. Thus, the combination of historical evidence and the anticipation of future conditions makes option C the most robust factor for estimating sustainability impacts.