GIGABYTE has carried out many environmental protection and social philanthropy projects in recent years. To gain a better understanding of these projects’ social influence, GIGABYTE introduced the Social Return on Investment (SROI) in 2016 to analyze the “G-HOME Sustainable Eco-Rooftop” and “Thousand Mile Trek - Go Green Taiwan” projects. We keep adding creative actions to the projects in order to increase social and environmental impacts. We conducted SROI again in 2019 to update and re-evaluate the additional investments, outputs and outcomes of the year for the purpose of continuous reviewing and improving the project performance.
Case 1 : G-Home Sustainable Eco-Rooftop
The G-HOME has been promoted since 2013. We are making efforts to develop the potential measures to be taken in the future to enhance the influence of the G-HOME. The G-HOME project provides a land of happiness for the GIGABYTE folks and may have profound influence on the environment and society. G-HOME became an Environmental Education Facility and Field authorized by the Environmental Protection Administration in 2017, and, with the same awareness of “returning trees to the planet”, a tree planting project “Make Earth Green Again” was launched in cooperation with the German Plant-for-the-Planet Foundation in the same year. The impacts of these two programs were then taken into account in the evaluation since 2017. In 2019, we renewed the evaluation based on the methodology, hoping to keep tracking the impact of G-HOME and its extended programs in the long run.
Case 1 : G-Home Sustainable Eco-Rooftop
The G-HOME has been promoted since 2013. We are making efforts to develop the potential measures to be taken in the future to enhance the influence of the G-HOME. The G-HOME project provides a land of happiness for the GIGABYTE folks and may have profound influence on the environment and society. G-HOME became an Environmental Education Facility and Field authorized by the Environmental Protection Administration in 2017, and, with the same awareness of “returning trees to the planet”, a tree planting project “Make Earth Green Again” was launched in cooperation with the German Plant-for-the-Planet Foundation in the same year. The impacts of these two programs were then taken into account in the evaluation since 2017. In 2019, we renewed the evaluation based on the methodology, hoping to keep tracking the impact of G-HOME and its extended programs in the long run.
Three Targets of G-HOME
Every NT$1 Invested into the “G-HOME Sustainable Eco-roof ” Project Generated NT$8.04 in Benefits and Value
G-HOME Offers High Social Value
The SROI analysis and results show that the project has generated a relatively high level of influence on GIGABYTE stakeholders over the short-term. Such influence comes from the improved corporate image, improved working environment, energy-savings from the eco-rooftop, and enhanced employee environmental awareness. In the long-term, its promotion will have a growing influence on society. As the implementation and building of eco-roofs or green rooftops take time to be realized, the social influence of G-HOME is a process of gradual development rather than an instant result.
The SROI analysis and results show that the project has generated a relatively high level of influence on GIGABYTE stakeholders over the short-term. Such influence comes from the improved corporate image, improved working environment, energy-savings from the eco-rooftop, and enhanced employee environmental awareness. In the long-term, its promotion will have a growing influence on society. As the implementation and building of eco-roofs or green rooftops take time to be realized, the social influence of G-HOME is a process of gradual development rather than an instant result.
G-HOME Creating More Social Benefits
In 2019, GIGABYTE continued its collaboration with the German Plant-for-the-Planet Foundation, actively promoted environmental protection education programs, and disseminated the concepts and practical methods of roof greening. As a result, the social positive impacts of the project kept growing. The environmental and operational benefits remained the same as that in 2017 due to the management and implementation of G-HOME already became relatively stable. In conclusion, for every NTD 1 invested in G-HOME and its extended programs can produce NTD 8.04 of benefits.
In 2019, GIGABYTE continued its collaboration with the German Plant-for-the-Planet Foundation, actively promoted environmental protection education programs, and disseminated the concepts and practical methods of roof greening. As a result, the social positive impacts of the project kept growing. The environmental and operational benefits remained the same as that in 2017 due to the management and implementation of G-HOME already became relatively stable. In conclusion, for every NTD 1 invested in G-HOME and its extended programs can produce NTD 8.04 of benefits.
Case 2: Thousand Mile Trek - Go Green Taiwan
The first “Go Green Taiwan - Thousand-Mile Dream” event was held at the end of August in 2015, and has accumulated 24 treks by 2019. Every trek was not merely a challenge of patience and strengthens but also introspection for the employees and their family to perceive that there is so much trash that should not exist in the environment. Also the impact of self-practices can imperceptibly become the impetus for change in everyone's behavior and gradually change their lifestyles and concepts. To establish the social/environmental benefits and value of “Go Green Taiwan - Thousand-Mile Dream”, an SROI analysis was conducted. We hope that this will help us adjust the planning and execution of future Thousand-Mile Dream events to realize the ultimate goal of a positive outcome for the environment, society and GIGABYTE.
Thousand Mile Trek - Go Green Taiwan - Round-Island Trek to Pick Up Plastic Waste
Every NT$1 Invested into the “Thousand Mile Trek - Go Green Taiwan” Project
GeneratedNT$5.45 in Benefits and Value
Call to Protect the Planet → Change in GIGABYTE Employee Habits and Mindset
During the course of questionnaire surveys and focus interviews, we discovered that employees who participated in the project not only made changes in their lifestyle habits but also had a significant influence on their families as well. For example, the proportion of family members who began carrying their own shopping bags doubled after their participation, and increased by 50% among employees themselves. As for employees who took part in the project with their children, up to 70% say that their children now participate in environmental volunteering or take an interest in environmental issues. These all show that the Thousand Mile Trek - Go Green Taiwan project has been successful in cultivating environmental awareness among GIGABYTE employees. It also spread the spirit of environmentalism and sustainability to other family members.
During the course of questionnaire surveys and focus interviews, we discovered that employees who participated in the project not only made changes in their lifestyle habits but also had a significant influence on their families as well. For example, the proportion of family members who began carrying their own shopping bags doubled after their participation, and increased by 50% among employees themselves. As for employees who took part in the project with their children, up to 70% say that their children now participate in environmental volunteering or take an interest in environmental issues. These all show that the Thousand Mile Trek - Go Green Taiwan project has been successful in cultivating environmental awareness among GIGABYTE employees. It also spread the spirit of environmentalism and sustainability to other family members.
Unintended Effect on the Environment
The Thousand Mile Trek - Go Green Taiwan project is conducted in relays and on different road sections. For more remote legs this means coach buses are required. This leads to unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions. Besides, the selection of financial proxies would also affect the result of impact evaluation. The SROI approach not only inspires us to rethink the impact of the project but also help us review more deeply into the outcomes and impacts of the project.
The Thousand Mile Trek - Go Green Taiwan project is conducted in relays and on different road sections. For more remote legs this means coach buses are required. This leads to unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions. Besides, the selection of financial proxies would also affect the result of impact evaluation. The SROI approach not only inspires us to rethink the impact of the project but also help us review more deeply into the outcomes and impacts of the project.
Building a Foundation for Future Sustainability Projects
SROI analysis of the two projects gave us a picture of the important environmental and social effects of their execution. The “quantization” part of the analysis process reminded us of aspects to watch out for during project execution. It is impossible for any project to only have a positive impact during execution. We also discovered limitations in the SROI analytical method. Nevertheless, regardless of how much influence is actually generated by the two projects in the end, we still hope to tell all our readers that you cannot put a price on ecology and conservation. GIGABYTE will therefore continue to further promote sustainability projects.
SROI analysis of the two projects gave us a picture of the important environmental and social effects of their execution. The “quantization” part of the analysis process reminded us of aspects to watch out for during project execution. It is impossible for any project to only have a positive impact during execution. We also discovered limitations in the SROI analytical method. Nevertheless, regardless of how much influence is actually generated by the two projects in the end, we still hope to tell all our readers that you cannot put a price on ecology and conservation. GIGABYTE will therefore continue to further promote sustainability projects.
SROI Encyclopedia
Definition of SROI
The SROI toolkit is a way of measuring the influence created by change from a broader perspective. The analytical process incorporates concepts such as social, environmental and economic costs vs. benefits. The level of social influence is presented as a monetary value. The results of SROI are presented as costs vs. benefits. An SROI of 2:1 means that every dollar of investment generated two dollars of social value. SROI results are intended to express “value” rather than “price” however. The use of the currency format is due to the fact that currencies are a common way of expressing value.
Definition of SROI
The SROI toolkit is a way of measuring the influence created by change from a broader perspective. The analytical process incorporates concepts such as social, environmental and economic costs vs. benefits. The level of social influence is presented as a monetary value. The results of SROI are presented as costs vs. benefits. An SROI of 2:1 means that every dollar of investment generated two dollars of social value. SROI results are intended to express “value” rather than “price” however. The use of the currency format is due to the fact that currencies are a common way of expressing value.
Types of SROI Analysis
- Evaluative: conducting retrospectively and being based on actual outcomes of a project that have already taken place.
- Forecast: predicting how much social value will be created if the activities meet their intended outcomes.
SROI Analysis Principles
Our analysis was based on the 7 principles proposed in the SROI Guide. These included: involve stakeholders, do not over-claim, understand what changes, value the things that matter, only include what is material, do not over-claim, be transparent, and verify the result.
Our analysis was based on the 7 principles proposed in the SROI Guide. These included: involve stakeholders, do not over-claim, understand what changes, value the things that matter, only include what is material, do not over-claim, be transparent, and verify the result.
For further details on SROI analysis, please refer to :
Special Topic (SROI) of 2016 GIGABYTE CSR Report
Chapter 4 & 5 of 2017 GIGABYTE CSR Report
Chapter 4 & 5 of 2018 GIGABYTE CSR Report
Chapter 6 of 2019 GIGABYTE CSR Report