The organisation recognises that assessing the significance of social and environmental risks is a skill which is acquired over time through practical experience, and a prescriptive approach is not encouraged due to the complex and wideranging nature of social and environmental issues. In its approach to assessing sustainability risks, the organisation recognised many benefits, including a reduction in the time taken to reach a decision due to the greater understanding of potential risks; an ability to avoid lengthy review processes for deals that may ultimately be declined; and helping to avoid becoming involved in controversial deals which may have associated financial and reputation risks.