What is a key characteristic of progressive impacts?

A key characteristic of progressive impacts is that they can have a cumulative effect over time. This means that while individual actions or decisions might lead to small impacts initially, over time these impacts can accumulate to create significant changes in the environment, society, or economy. This characteristic is crucial in sustainability accounting as it emphasizes the importance of monitoring and addressing not just immediate consequences but also the long-term outcomes of actions.

In the context of sustainability, recognizing the cumulative nature of these impacts allows organizations to better anticipate future challenges and opportunities related to sustainability initiatives. For example, the gradual accumulation of carbon emissions can lead to more severe climate change effects than what would be predicted by examining single events in isolation. Understanding progressive impacts helps companies and stakeholders develop more comprehensive strategies for sustainability that consider not just immediate results, but the sustained welfare of the community and environment over time.