A societal norm or ecological level deemed ‘good enough’, for example as indicated by science-based targets and the SDGs which outline targets (or thresholds) for achievement by 2030. The outcome threshold defines the acceptable range for the outcome. Performance outside of the acceptable range is negative or unsustainable. Performance within the acceptable range is positive or sustainable. Outcome thresholds can be set locally, nationally or internationally. They should also represent the affected Stakeholder’s perspective, so Stakeholder feedback can be an important way to corroborate outcome thresholds, especially when they are not well-established. (Note: Care should be taken to recognize – and adjust accordingly – that under- represented Stakeholder populations may not be aware of the negative impacts that business or other activities may have on their access to basic rights and services. Precedence should be given to international norms where locally set norms are less ambitious than international ones.)

United Nations Development Programme. (2021). SDG Impact Standards Glossary. https://sdgimpact.undp.org/assets/SDG-Impact-Standards-Glossary.pdf