Impact investing and ESG investing are not the same, but public perception of the differences is not always clear. And, with stark headlines like “ESG Backlash in the US: What Implications for Corporations and Investors?” from the Financial Times and “Navigating The Current Backlash Against ESG” from Forbes, media coverage of ESG and impact investments alike, has rightly labeled many efforts at market involvement in tackling climate change and biodiversity crises as misleading and ineffective.
To demonstrate that markets can in fact be a powerful tool in addressing global climate and biodiversity crises, we need strong examples of investments that commit to robust impact management and therefore deliver on these challenges while generating compelling financial returns. Accountability is critical to honestly assessing impact and improving approaches. This panel will bring fund managers, investors and conservation groups together to discuss these and other pressing topics:
– What does it take to deliver meaningful environmental impact and what are the challenges in doing so while balancing profitability of investments?
– What does a robust impact management system look like in practice?
– What have we and others learned about delivering impact alongside financial returns – what works and what doesn’t work?
