This edited volume brings together finance industry perspectives from top global institutions, which focus on the bottom line for integrating ESG factors into the operations of the finance industry. Executives and senior practitioners answer the question: 'does following sustainable finance principles make commercial sense for a commercially-oriented financial institution, and if so, what evidence is there?'
'
Preface Mike Scott Part 1: The Business Case for Sustainable Finance 1. The Business Case for Sustainable Finance: Beyond Public Relations, Reputation and Philanthropy Iveta Cherneva Part 2: The Business Case for Sustainable Finance: Sector Perspectives i. Investment 2. ESG Analysis as a Predictor of Quality of Management in Investment Decision Making Amanda McCluskey 3. Litigation Expenses: The Case for Socially Responsible Investment due to Costly Liability Mark V. Vlasic and Peter Atlee ii. Microfinance 4. Microfinance and the Creation of Shared Value: Delineating the Investment Case for Non-Financial Analysis in Microfinance Marieke de Leede, Dr. Harry Hummels Part 3: The Business Case for Sustainable Finance: Topical Perspectives 5. Putting a Value on the Priceless: the Business Case for Natural Capital in Finance Richard Burrett 6. Sizing the Climate Economy Nick Robins 7. The Business Case for Integrating Human Rights and Labor Standards in Finance Iveta Cherneva 8. Responsible Investment, Poverty Reduction and Development: Better Returns Dr. Rory Sullivan and Helena Viñes Fiestas 4: The Business Case for Sustainable Finance: Perspectives from Emerging Markets 9. The Business Case for Sustainable Finance in China Ben Ridley 10. The Business Case for Sustainable Finance in South Africa Madeleine Ronquest. Conclusion Iveta Cherneva
Biography
Iveta Cherneva is a writer and practitioner in the spheres of sustainable finance, security policy, human rights, and public-private engagement related to the finance industry. Her career includes work for the United Nations, US Congress, Oxford University Global Economic Governance Programme and a number of non-profit institutions. Currently she is the Executive Director of ICWords Ltd and a member of the G8/NATO Summit Young Atlanticist Working Group at the Atlantic Council in Washington DC, USA.
"Highly recommended. The book provides a truly global picture, drawing on the expertise of the foremost voices in the sustainable finance space." – Dr. James Gifford, Executive Director, United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment
"In this collection of outstanding essays – where the business case meets sustainable finance in China and South Africa; for poverty reduction and climate change; with microfinance and ESG analysis – the rubber meets the road and it will leave its mark. You won't want to miss it." - Steve Lydenberg, Founding Director, Initiative for Responsible Investment, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
"Topical and timely, the book will be useful to finance professionals, as well as students of finance. It addresses the elephant in the room: does sustainable finance make commercial sense for financial institutions?" – Colin Melvin, CEO, Hermes Equity Ownership Services Ltd.
"In Chapter 5 of The Business Case for Sustainable Finance, Richard Burrett elegantly highlights the risks and opportunities for the finance industry of the global loss of natural capital. It is just these issues – which still struggle for mainstream airtime amongst investors – that motivate the far-sighted business leaders we work with." Jake Reynolds, Director, Leaders Groups, University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership"rich reading and some very persuasive arguments and ideas" Morgen Witzel, Financial World
"This edited volume brings together finance industry insider perspectives from top global institutions, all of which focus on the bottom line for integrating environmental, social and governance factors into mainstream finance. A key read for investors, and those hoping to influence them." Ethical Corporation magazine
"Finance plays a pivotal role in accelerating the transition to a sustainable global economy and society. By combining the perspectives of thought leaders and practitioners, this book provides the reader with interesting insights into the dynamic field of sustainable finance, including sustainable finance in emerging markets." – Bernd Jan Sikken, Programme Director Finance and Sustainability, Duisenberg School of Finance, and co-author of Financing Sustainability
"Iveta Cherneva has done a great job putting together best practices, presenting policies and trends, and analysing a proliferating literature in the field of responsible investing. The Business Case for Sustainable Finance is a thorough anthology of best practice examples on how responsible investing can resolve problems of our time and be the differentiating part in the triple bottom line equation. The sustainable finance industry perspectives featured in this publication clearly show that the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in the investment process can have a positive impact on both earnings and social well-being." – Michael Spanos, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, EuroCharity"In a new collection of essays on "The Business Case for Sustainable Finance" published by Routledge, the editor, Iveta Cherneva explores the challenges of establishing the business case for sustainable finance." Forbes
