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On October 31, 2024, we hosted the second session of the “Constructing Change Webinar Series,” part of our lead-up to the Building Bridges 2024, in Geneva this December. This latest session, titled “Where’s the Action? Next Gen Wealth Holders on Overcoming Barriers to Drive Impact” brought together thought leaders and wealth holders to discuss what has been called one of the most significant financial shifts of our time. With an estimated $84 trillion expected to transfer from Baby Boomers to younger generations by 2045, the discussion explored the unprecedented opportunities and challenges that come with this shift.

Barriers to Impact Investing

Dr. Paetzold set the tone by underscoring the urgency of the next generation’s role in addressing global issues such as climate change and social inequality. He presented how the Centre for Sustainable Finance & Private Wealth represents an opportunity to redefine wealth for societal good. Following this, each panelist shared insights on the structural, emotional, and practical challenges they have encountered in their journey to make impactful investments:

Antonis Schwarz, an impact investor known for his work with Good Move Initiatives, discussed the cultural and family-driven pressures that often discourage next-generation wealth holders from engaging in impact-driven investing early in their careers. Benjamin Firmenich, Co-CEO and Head of Impact at Impact Finance, shared his experience launching a fund focused on sustainable agriculture and the need for wealthy individuals to overcome the fear of taking risks with their family’s capital. Katharina Brück, an angel investor with Femventix, brought a personal perspective, recounting how her own journey into impact investing was influenced by a major shift in her identity after inheriting family wealth.

The panelists highlighted several key barriers that next-generation wealth holders often face:

– Family Influence and Generational Gaps: The previous generation’s advisors and family dynamics can limit younger wealth holders’ freedom to make impact-driven investment choices.

– Lack of Financial Knowledge and Fear of Risk: Many inheritors are not equipped with a finance background, leading to insecurity in making investment decisions.

– Social Expectations and Cultural Norms: In certain regions, the expectation to establish professional credibility before utilising inherited wealth can delay entry into impact investing.

Practical Solutions for Impact-Driven Investing

The panel concluded with advice for overcoming these barriers and creating pathways to impactful wealth management. This included seeking out peer networks, connecting with other wealth holders who share the same values can provide next gens with the confidence and knowledge to navigate impact investing. Starting small, but staying committed, allowing them to gain experience and learn from early mistakes without feeling overwhelmed. And lastly, open family dialogue on impact, effective communication with family members about the benefits and returns of impact investing can help bridge generational divides.

Inspiring Action for a Better Future

This webinar highlighted that the great wealth transfer represents not only a shift in assets but also a shift in values. The next generation is increasingly eager to use their wealth as a tool for societal good, signaling a promising evolution in how capital can be deployed for impact. As the panelists showed, next-gen wealth holders are finding ways to overcome barriers and drive meaningful change.

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There is no doubt that the topic of sustainable finance has been an absolute priority in the financial industry for years.

A lot of energy and resources have been invested in greenwashing by industries, regulators and the media. This was the right thing to do: there is no room for greenwashing in the Swiss financial industry.

With the self-regulation of the three industry associations Asset Management Association Switzerland (AMAS), Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) and Swiss Insurance Association (SIA), effective instruments are now in place so that greenwashing should no longer be an issue in the Swiss financial centre. The focus must now return to the central mission of sustainable finance: On impact. The effective climate contribution of self-regulation is ultimately minimal. Climate change is a real problem, and we will not solve it by describing the problem as precisely as possible.

Investment stewardship, for example with high-emission companies, is much more effective: Asset managers are increasingly exerting direct influence on the management of companies in which they are invested through active voting and engagement to make the business model more emission-free. Together with Swiss Sustainable Finance, AMAS has drawn up the Swiss Stewardship Code as a guideline for modern investment stewardship for Swiss financial players.

Given the immense amount of capital required to finance the transformation, this is not enough. However, how private capital can be invested effectively and what role the financial industry, and asset managers in particular, should play in this is sometimes a source of irritating debate.

Anyone who demands that asset managers should simply provide the necessary capital has not understood the financial industry. The corresponding capital belongs to the clients. Asset managers cannot simply dispose of it without violating fundamental liberal principles and property rights.

Asset managers have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their clients and to achieve a return and long-term capital appreciation on the invested capital at an acceptable level of risk. The expectations in sustainable finance are very similar: invested capital can certainly have a positive impact. But here too: The asset management industry can and should offer appropriate investment products, but ultimately it is the customer who decides.

In developing countries in particular, the need for capital for climate protection and sustainability projects is very high. One of the reasons why the flow of capital in this direction is stagnating is that the investment risks associated with such projects are difficult to assess and there is a lack of suitable investment vehicles. ‘Blended finance’ can play a key role here: State and private investors jointly finance such a project but invest in different tranches with different risks and expected returns. If the state is the first to assume any defaults and is compensated accordingly, a project becomes investable for a wide range of parties and private capital can be made available on a much larger scale. Asset managers can play an important role here – provided the framework conditions are right and sufficiently large investment volumes are available.

– Author: Adrian Schatzmann

– This contribution is brought to you by Asset Management Association Switzerland (AMAS), a valued founding partner & event partner of Building Bridges 2024.

With many of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets still lagging and a growing funding gap, the need to innovate to amplify positive impact has never been more urgent. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a promising tool for accelerating progress by enhancing data analysis, knowledge access and operational efficiency. We believe that alliances and opportunities for strategic collaboration can turbocharge the potential of AI to bring about truly inclusive development.


Stronger together

SDG 17 emphasizes the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships as a means to accelerate progress across all SDGs. By pooling resources, sharing knowledge and expertise, and increasing access to technology for all, actors in global development can support more individuals and empower them to drive progress quicker and in a sustained manner.

With its sizable resources and ability to drive technological innovation, including AI, the private sector plays a critical role in this ecosystem. The UN SDG Partnership Guidebook also recognizes that businesses that operate responsibly, inclusively and sustainably have the ability to create and sustain livelihoods, reduce poverty, and deliver essential products and services efficiently and affordably.

But an alliance between the public and private sectors can also be challenging for various reasons, including:
– Differences in priorities and interests
– Lack of concrete plans or policies for implementing AI initiatives
– Lack of awareness around AI solutions and technologies
– Lack of skills for AI in the public sector
– Lack of incentives for engagement
 
Successful AI alliances

Although these challenges certainly exist, several alliances around AI and the SDGs have already shown that collaboration creates more inclusive outcomes. Examples include:

– ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, is a cross-sector global partnership with a mission to transform people’s lives through AT, including AI-enabled technologies.

– The Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, launched in 2020 by the World Economic Forum and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, includes an AI for Social Innovation initiative. Here, social innovators and technology leaders come together to leverage AI and other advanced technologies to drive greater impact and innovation in the social sector. The initiative builds on a diverse group of stakeholders with experience in AI and social innovation.

– Founded in 2014, the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) is a global coalition committed to advancing positive, sustainable and inclusive digital transformation through collaboration and knowledge sharing. DIAL acts as a convener of governments, funders and other development actors so that development efforts using data and technology promote people’s rights while achieving technological advancements.

Collaboration is key
The role of collaboration among stakeholders should not be overlooked, especially in creating a strong enabling environment that encourages AI-driven innovation while mitigating risks. By forging alliances and promoting strategic partnerships, the full capability of AI for inclusive development can be realized, leading to more equitable and sustainable outcomes

Note: This article was inspired by the report Inclusive Innovation: an inside look at AI’s potential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), published by EY in collaboration with Devex in September 2024.

– This contribution is brought to you by EY, a valued silver event partner of Building Bridges 2024.

On October 10, 2024, we convened industry experts for the first session of the “Constructing Change Webinar Series,” as part of the lead-up to Building Bridges 2024. This session titled, “Impact Lens Investing – Grabbing the Investor’s Attention?”, attracted both mainstream and impact investors keen to learn how their capital can advance solutions in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and circular economy initiatives. Karen Hitschke, CEO of Building Bridges, opened the event, underscoring the role of impact-driven finance in tackling global challenges like climate change and inequality. Kostis Tselenis, Managing Partner of the Swiss Impact Office, took the floor as Moderator to lead a revealing dialogue with four influential voices, investing in impact.

Climate Action and Impact in Focus

The discussion delved into how specific asset classes are advancing sustainable finance goals. Jennifer Boscardin-Ching, who leads thematic equity strategies at Pictet Asset Management, discussed how climate-conscious investments are experiencing growing demand, with public markets now a driving force in climate action. Guillaume Chapuis, Senior Investment Manager at Lombard Odier, highlighted how private equity is innovating within the plastics sector, supporting scalable companies that address carbon reduction and advance circular economy solutions. Both speakers underscored how balancing financial returns with sustainability outcomes is not only feasible but increasingly demanded by the market.

Impact Strategies in Emerging Markets

Sandra Halilovic, Head of H2R Development Facility at Acumen, and Krisztina Tora, Chief Market Development Officer at GSG Impact, expanded the discussion to emerging markets, sharing experiences on deploying impact-first finance. Sandra showcased how Acumen’s initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa are advancing access to energy through blended finance, a critical tool for mobilising billions in high-need regions. Krisztina noted that building financial ecosystems and fostering collaboration between governments, NGOs, and the private sector is essential to scale impact and address pressing social and environmental challenges.

Key Takeaways: A Practical Guide for Impact Investors

The session closed with clear, actionable insights for mainstream investors looking to embrace impact strategies:

– Impact Doesn’t Mean Lower Returns: Climate-conscious and thematic equity strategies are showing competitive returns, illustrating that impact and profit can go hand in hand.
– Active Ownership Drives Change: Large shareholders can engage with companies to improve sustainability practices, creating lasting positive outcomes.
– Blended Finance Unlocks Emerging Markets: Leveraging blended finance can mobilise large-scale capital to address critical issues like energy access in underserved regions.
– Collaboration Fuels Scale: Partnerships across sectors—government, NGOs, and private investors—are vital for driving systemic impact and broadening financial reach.

What was made evident was that impact investing is no longer a niche pursuit; it’s fast becoming a foundational pillar of the financial system with multiple approaches. From listed equities to private equity, and from the Global North to the Global South, this panel showcased the shift underway in sustainable finance. Impact investing is shaping the future of finance by proving that capital deployed with intention can generate both meaningful outcomes and competitive returns, empowering investors to contribute to a better, more sustainable world.

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DEADLINE EXTENDED: We have extended the deadline for applications to 11 November, 2024. Please note: Volunteers will need official work permits. Whilst we endeavor to support all applications, due to the time required to complete administrative procedures, we encourage late applications from Swiss citizens and permit holders.

 

Volunteer at Building Bridges 2024

Building Bridges is a week-long sustainable finance conference focused on bringing together diverse stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economic system aligned with the vision put forth in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. Our 5th Edition will take place on December 9-12 at CICG in Geneva.  It spans a Summit and 3 Action Days with over 65 events on sustainable finance, as well as plenty of opportunities for networking and learning.  It is expected to attract over 2,000 attendees from the finance industry, the United Nations, governments, NGOs, academia, and more.

We are seeking a large group of volunteers to support the Building Bridges Summit and Action Days.

WHY VOLUNTEER?

Note: All volunteers are provided with Lunch/ Snacks as per their schedules and allocated tasks during the time of their shifts.

WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO?

We have a range of roles for volunteers, they roughly fit into two categories:

Each volunteer will do a mix of these activities depending on their availability and schedule.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

Any students or other individuals interested in volunteering simply need to fill out this form no later than October 31, 2024.  In the form, you will indicate how many days you are willing to volunteer and your availability during the week. This will be used to make you a custom schedule.  Any questions about the Building Bridges Volunteer Programme can be directed to community@buildingbridges.org. 

Apply now

Building Bridges took the lead on bringing together for 3 days in Kenya a delegation from private sector leaders from Europe and East Africa to strengthen bridges for sustainable investment. The first Bridging Africa – Europe SDG Investment Summit took place in Nairobi, from June 3 to 5, 2024. 

Central to the mission of Building Bridges is the creation of a multi-stakeholder platform, dedicated to channeling capital where it can achieve maximum, sustainable impact. “Only by creating the right conditions to facilitate capital flow can we aim to build an economic system aligned with social and environmental sustainability goals,” said Patrick Odier, Chair of the Building Bridges Foundation. “This initiative embodies our collective will to drive meaningful change.”

The 2024 “Bridging Africa – Europe SDG Investment Summit” in Nairobi builds on a mission to Kenya in April 2023, during which the Building Bridges team engaged with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, and the private sector.

This inaugural Summit was a collaboration between Building Bridges, the Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya, and the United Nations in Kenya through its SDG Partnership Platform, with support from the Nairobi International Financial Centre and Equity Bank Group. It aimed at forging links and cultivating trust to enable financing and investment pathways among diverse communities, deepening European investors’ and African stakeholders’ understanding of the region’s and the continent’s sustainable investment landscape. And it was a success!

Through site visits, startup pitches, networking sessions and active discussions with financial institutions, government ministries, leading change-makers, high-caliber entrepreneurs and innovators, this pivotal initiative established a strong basis for future collaboration and partnerships. The trip provided the European delegation with an in-depth view of Kenya and East Africa’s advanced sustainability ecosystem, and its promising investment opportunities. Simultaneously, Kenyan local private and public sector representatives, along with tech innovators, showcased their ambitious growth strategies aimed at attracting and sustaining both local and foreign investments in East Africa, a region home to 497 million and to one of the continent’s fastest-growing demographics.   

The conversations initiated through this landmark event in Nairobi are a first step into building a proper Africa-Europe bridge and will continue as part of the 5th edition of Building Bridges in Geneva, December 9-12, 2024. Beyond our end of the year flagship event, we will continue building this intercontinental bridge. Stay tuned if you want to join us on this journey or feel free to reach out.

Karen Hitschke, CEO of the Building Bridges Foundation, concludes this 3-day event: “Our objective was to build a strong bridge between our two continents and bring traffic on it. And we succeeded, through a collaborative approach, by connecting and engaging with key local actors, strengthening links and fostering trust among a wide array of communities.”

Gallery

Building Bridges welcomes Karen Hitschke, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 21, 2024. In her new role based in Geneva, Karen will lead the evolution of the Building Bridges Foundation into its next phase of impact and growth, fostering progress towards a more sustainable financial system.

Former Chief Operating Officer of the WHO Foundation, Karen Hitschke is a trained biologist, investor, board member, executive manager and certified executive coach who brings over 25 years of experience in the Biotechnology, Venture Capital, Consulting, Social Business, and Impact Investing industries. Initially graduating in Biology, she holds an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France, and her professional background includes a wide range of roles spanning the for-profit and non-profit sector. Karen currently holds several board memberships and advisory roles, and is a Board Member, Co-Founder and former Managing Director at Yunus Social Business Global Initiatives, a pioneering Impact Investing organization funding social businesses across India, East Africa and Latin America.

As a firm believer in bringing together people, cultures, and ideas to transform business and society, Karen has a profound commitment to driving positive change. “I am thrilled about the opportunity to work together with such a wide range of stakeholders bridging the for-profit, non-profit, impact investing and public sector” says Karen. “Only through collaboration across sectors and across nations can we help shape an economic system where business and finance are applied for the good of society and the planet. This is the mission of the Building Bridges Foundation and I am honored to lead the organization through this transformative next phase.”

 

Patrick Odier, Chair of Building Bridges, comments:

We are delighted to welcome Karen as the new CEO of the Building Bridges Foundation. Her deep knowledge of finance, in both the public and private sector throughout multiple geographies, lies at the heart of the initiative and will support the execution of our mission to further align finance with sustainability.

Building Bridges and the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) are joining forces to bring four days of action on sustainable finance to Geneva, Switzerland. The 5th edition of Building Bridges will be held from 9-12 December 2024, and will see UNEP FI host its 18th Global Roundtable on 10-11 December under the same roof, with the common objective of aligning financial flows with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Patrick Odier, Chair, Building Bridges, commented:

“We are looking forward to joining forces with UNEP FI this year.  A faster transition to a more sustainable global economic model requires a collective effort and a sharing of expertise among all financial stakeholders.”

Geneva and Switzerland, home to Building Bridges and UNEP FI, is an international hub for sustainable finance thanks to its unique ecosystem of multilateralism whilst being a world-class financial centre. UNEP FI is a founding member of Building Bridges, and the enhanced collaborative effort between these two leading organisations will further leverage networks in Switzerland, and around the globe, to accelerate action through finance on protecting the planet, reducing social inequalities, and improving access to human rights.

The Building Bridges movement meets every year with its community, bringing relevant decision makers and players from the finance and corporate sectors, governments, civil society, academia and sustainable development communities to the same table around its flagship event in Geneva. In 2023, the 4th edition of Building Bridges gathered more than 2500 participants from 110 countries, featuring a total of 70 events.

UNEP FI’s biennial Global Roundtable is a pivotal event for finance industry action, providing thousands of finance professionals the opportunity to collaborate with peers and learn from global leaders. This year’s edition, held on 10-11 December alongside Building Bridges, marks the Global Roundtable’s return to Geneva after 30 years. The flagship event will focus on accelerating practical approaches to setting and implementing targets in areas including net zero, nature, impact, pollution, human rights, and financial inclusion to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Eric Usher, Head, UNEP FI, highlighted the importance of this partnership: “We are excited to partner with Building Bridges to bring the UNEP FI Global Roundtable back to Geneva after 30 years. Together, we are working to align financial flows with global sustainability goals and to catalyze action right across the financial system.”

Global ESG Adoption Reaches New Heights

Global ESG adoption among global investors has reached a new high, according to this year’s study. The proportion of adopters inched up by a single percentage point to 90%. This modest rise contrasts with the five-percentage-point increase in adoption recorded in our last report.

Investors’ Proactive Approach to ESG

This year’s responses suggest some long-standing barriers are starting to diminish. For example, while investors continue to highlight data quality, regulatory complexity and fund disclosures as barriers to adoption, the level of challenge presented by each of these areas has declined.

Investors appear to be feeling more proactive and more empowered; The more they know about ESG, the more they are finding ways of dealing with its challenges themselves. For instance, investors are devising their own solutions to counter confusion around fund-labeling regimes.

They are also taking proactive steps to decode data difficulties, including accessing ESG data from multiple sources, conducting their own analysis and leaning on asset managers’ proprietary research. Despite these positives, investors think greenwashing* is becoming more prevalent. This shifting perception may be indicative of wider media reporting and heightened regulatory action on greenwashing, rather than increased dysfunction. Going forward, overcoming some of the confusion associated with ESG could help sustain ESG adoption levels. And the ability to articulate the ESG investment case will prove key if more non-users are to adopt ESG.

Catalysts for adoption of ESG

A significant majority of investors who have adopted ESG firmly believe that it has the potential to enhance returns. Nearly six in 10 (57%) say incorporating ESG analysis can uncover attractive investment opportunities. And nearly half (45%) think that integrating ESG is likely to improve long-term investment results. It is not surprising then that most investors favour active strategies, with nearly three-quarters preferring active funds to integrate ESG. More effective engagement and gaining a forward-looking view of company ESG profiles are the reasons most cited by investors for preferring active strategies. Potential alpha generation is identified as a further benefit. This ties in to the potential investment benefits of targeting secular growth themes, of which environmental causes are top of mind. More than seven in 10 (71%) point to the green energy transition as the most important theme. This could reflect rising alarm at the pace of climate change and the impact of geopolitical events such as the Ukraine war.

Advancing ESG: Shifting the Spotlight to Social Factors

Despite a bias toward environmental considerations, a significant percentage of investors want to support a broad array of causes across the sustainability spectrum. Around half of respondents flag “sustainable cities and communities” and “health and wellbeing” as two important themes they consider when selecting ESG funds. Furthermore, investors are alert to the potential risks of focusing solely on the climate aspect of the green energy transition; More investors this year are concerned about social issues being overlooked in the push for climate action.

Many investors therefore have an appetite for a diverse range of ESG themes. And this manifests in demand for funds aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nearly half say there is a need for multi thematic ESG funds aligned to most of the SDGs. However, demand for these funds is not being met by an appropriate range of products. A significant number of investors point to a lack of suitable SDG-aligned equity, fixed income and multi-asset products.

The Advantages of Multi Thematic Funds and the Benefits of Investing in Transitioners

The diversifying properties of multi thematic funds also hold appeal for ESG investors looking to neutralize investment style biases. Four in 10 (40%) respondents think multi-thematic ESG funds are an effective means of diversifying risks related to style biases. And more than a third (35%) plan to raise allocations to more style-neutral ESG equity strategies over the next 12 months. Investors also point to the importance of holding transitioning companies in portfolios. As well as accelerating the transition to a green future, investors think transitioning companies offer compelling investment opportunities. As such, they are shifting away from a singular focus on ESG leaders, with six in 10 saying strategies investing solely in leaders at the expense of transitioners will miss out on investment opportunities. Instead, they are looking to construct balanced portfolios synthesizing the different but complementary qualities of businesses whose products and services are aligned to ESG-related goals, alongside transitioners that are moving towards alignment. This blended approach offers the prospect of a broader opportunity set, greater diversification and the potential for enhanced investment results.

* Interpretations of what constitutes greenwashing can vary, but broadly the term relates to giving a misleading impression on the ESG or sustainability characteristics of a product, activity or organization.

 

Guest contribution by Capital Group

 

Read the full report and infographic here

 

 

Disclaimer: 

Past results are not guarantee of future results. The value of investments and income from them can go down as well as up and you may lose some or all of your initial investment. This information is not intended to provide investment, tax or other advice, or to be a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. 

Statements attributed to an individual represent the opinions of that individual as of the date published and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Capital Group or its affiliates. All information is as at the date indicated unless otherwise stated. Some information may have been obtained from third parties, and as such the reliability of that information is not guaranteed.

Building Bridges, the GIIN Impact Forum, the GSG Global Impact Summit and PRI’s Annual Conference brought together government representatives, industry leaders, financial institutions, policy makers and civil society organizations from around the globe in October to mobilize capital for the Sustainable Development Goals and build a more resilient economic system.

Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, migration, geopolitical fragmentation and economic downturns. As sustainable investing continues to gain momentum, four major forums hosted by Building Bridges, the Global Impact Investing Network, the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment and the Principles for Responsible Investment took place from 2-5 October to call for urgent global action.

What will it take to mobilize the trillions of dollars required to mitigate climate risks and reduce social inequalities? This central question has been intensely debated in Geneva, Copenhagen, Malaga and Tokyo during a series of discussions earlier this month. Accelerating the decarbonization of the global economy, restoring our natural ecosystems, and driving social progress will require systemic change and collaboration. Over 6400 participants from diverse sectors exchanged perspectives and confronted opinions on strategies to realign capital flows with sustainable and inclusive projects, and showcased new investment practices. These international dialogues stressed the importance of global solidarity and the development of new partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that no one is left behind. While the recently launched standards of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) recommendations will be a game changer for the improvement of investment decision-making for businesses and financial institutions, collaboration between sectors, geographic regions and generations will be essential to realign our economic models.

Advancing Sustainable Finance: Highlights from global conferences

The 2023 edition of Building Bridges convened over 2500 participants from 111 countries in Geneva to advance sustainable finance and address the interdependence of human, social, natural, climate, and financial capital. The conference highlighted the importance of building bridges between all stakeholders involved in the transition through 70 action-oriented events. It gathered key figures leading the transition such as Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, TNFD Co-Chair, Sigrid Kaag, Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of WTO, Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of The Club of Rome who stressed the need to join forces between the public and private sectors to unlock capital for climate, nature and social inclusion. Patrick Odier, Chair of Building Bridges, called for the implementation of concrete solutions: “We possess the scientific data and facts; we have the relevant technology, the means and the resources to act. We now need to be bold and brave, and move from the ‘what’ to the ‘how’ and from the ‘when’ to the ‘now’”. The edition also hosted key initiatives that are shaping the global sustainable finance agenda such as TNFD, the second Sharm el-Sheikh dialogue established during COP 27 to identify pathways to make finance flows consistent with low GHG emissions, and Seedstars’ community who has been transforming entrepreneurial programs in emerging markets for ten year.

The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG) hosted its highly anticipated Global Impact Summit in Malaga earlier this month. In partnership with SpainNAB, the Summit brought together over 1000 impact leaders, policymakers, and investors from over 60 countries. From reflecting on the latest achievements of the impact movement to sharing insights and lessons learned to discussing the way forward, the Summit focused on mobilizing capital for people and the planet, achieving impact transparency, and building impact economies. Speakers included Emmanuel Faber from the ISSB on the next steps for impact transparency, Hamdiya Ismaila from the new Ci-Gaba Impact Fund of Funds in West Africa, Carmen Correa from Pro Mujer on the gender equity bond in Latin America and Myung Soo Kang from the Korean Standards Association about impact transparency in Asia. Attendees left the Summit with a clear call to action: accelerate capital mobilization to where it is most needed.

Principles for Responsible Investment (the PRI) hosted its 15th annual PRI in Person conference in Tokyo from 3-5 October 2023. The conference, which attracted nearly 1,400 delegates from 52 countries and over 700 organizations, focused on the theme Moving from commitments to action. Highlights included an opening keynote address from the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, in which he expressed the Japanese government’s commitment to sustainability outcomes and announced that seven public pension funds would enter the process of signing up to the PRI. This year’s conference also incorporated an enhanced focus on nature, with discussions on the need for investors to take holistic action on climate, nature and human rights, as well as deep dives into TNFD and the launch of Spring, a new collaborative stewardship initiative on nature.

The GIIN Impact Forum gathered over 1500 global impact investors from October 4-5 in Denmark to build relationships, share insights about new strategies, learn the latest industry developments, and explore ways to drive continued momentum and growth in the market. The conference highlighted that all future investments will need to integrate the environmental and social benefits they generate. The GIIN and the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices also announced a strategic initiative aimed at fostering the growth and development of impact investing education worldwide. This initiative aims to enhance investment professionals’ knowledge and skills to help to scale the impact investing industry with integrity. CIIP has awarded the GIIN grant funding to develop a foundational impact investing educational program for investment professionals, including chief investment officers, fund managers, portfolio managers and analysts.