In fact, we have already started to see some of these benefits in practice – here's how the future of green finance could look.
The financial sector is responsible for a third of emissions
The time has come for finance to be recognized as one of the most potent and impactful forces for societal change. The financial sector is responsible for over a third of global emissions, with trillions of dollars invested in companies that produce fossil fuels.
Capital markets must allocate capital according to environmental priorities and regulations, resulting in higher greenhouse gas emissions than necessary. Businesses face high levels of climate risk due to their exposure to climate-related events and changes.
The world's national economies are more dependent on fossil fuels than ever before, emitting more CO2 per capita than any other country. This dependency means that the global economy will take decades longer to decarbonize than it would if we could significantly decrease our reliance on fossil fuels.
Financial sector climate action helps countries gain credibility and prosperity
The question is not whether or not climate change is happening but how to deal with it. The financial sector can help countries become more credible and prosperous by financing them in a way that embraces renewable energy and sustainable growth.
This is where impact-focused finance comes in. Impact-focused finance provides sustainable financing for projects with measurable social or environmental benefits, such as reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
Financial innovation can be used in many areas
The finance industry has traditionally been focused on making money and the bottom line, but there is a lot of potential for innovation. Impact-oriented finance will help to reduce society's dependence on finite resources while fostering social change and economic growth.
For example, impact-focused finance could address climate change or poverty by investing in sustainable projects that are good for people and the planet. Impact-oriented venture capital is one type of impact-focused finance that invests in early-stage companies with positive social or environmental impacts and promising business models.
It also provides investors with better risk-adjusted returns than typical VC funds.
A shift in mindset is needed
We're at an exciting point in history - we need to change our consumption habits and consider how what we buy affects people, animals, and our planet. We also know that significant changes are happening in the finance industry.
Traditionally, finance has been about investing money for economic growth, but now it's increasingly focused on bringing social good or environmental protection to fruition. If you combine these two things - new insights into sustainability and finance - you have something compelling.
It's all too easy to be blinded by the individual needs of investors and customers, but what if, instead of thinking, what will this do for me? What will this do for society as a whole? What if companies were able to raise investment funds while they were also tackling climate change? What if banks only lent money to businesses that weren't polluting? What if governments created regulations and policies that encouraged sustainable products and practices? What if consumers felt confident knowing their investments were aligned with their values?
The next step is putting these thoughts into action! All stakeholders should keep pushing forward with this idea of impact-focused finance.
