To navigate the complexity of achieving a future where no one lives in poverty and the planet thrives, we need a simple unifying principle: that it is the role of all actors in society to examine how their actions affect the people and the planet. It is only when these actors consider social and financial impact in equal measure while allocating resources, that we will witness the transition to Impact Economies. The growth of a vibrant Impact Economy will be evidenced by business, investment, policy and consumption decisions that deliver tangible improvements in outcomes for people and the planet.

The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG), in collaboration with Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) announced the winner of its annual Millennial Honor, which recognises global impact entrepreneurs under 30 years of age. Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder of the Indian firm Ather Energy, was unanimously selected as this year’s awardee, for his work in sustainable mobility.

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Statement comes in wake of G20 Japan support

4 July 2019 (London, UK)  – A gathering of G7 Ministers responsible for development cooperation has just finished in Paris, France, with the issuance of a statement supporting the impact investing market and the outcome-based funding instruments.

“Coming on the heels of the supportive G20 Leaders Declaration in Japan, this extraordinary statement sets the scene for a strong declaration from the G7 leaders in August,” says Sir Ronald Cohen, Chair of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG).

The statement (attached) says: “We support the growth of the impact investing market as a meaningful and efficient financing approach which can contribute to the 2030 Agenda. We stress the need to create enabling policy environments in order to help drive impactful investments towards developing countries and fragile economies. We support the ongoing efforts of the international community to define a common framework for measuring impact investing based on the work done by members of the Impact Management Project (IMP).”

Following the G20 Osaka Leaders’ declaration at the weekend, which recognized the importance of innovative financing mechanisms, the G7 ministers expressed support to mobilize additional resources for development and help increase the impact of existing resources. 

“We support the implementation of the OECD DAC Blended Finance Principles for Unlocking Commercial Finance for the SDGs. We welcome the role of the Leading Group on Innovative Financing for Development currently chaired by Japan in sharing good practices and promoting this matter at an international level,” the statement said.

The ministers said they recognize the potential of outcomes-based funding instruments as “effective tools to foster a partnership-based approach between donors and partner countries and to mobilize private finance in support of structural development challenges, especially in fragile areas such as the Sahel region.”

GSG is playing an integral role in catalysing impact investment to benefit people and planet through its growing international network of National Advisory Boards (NABs), such as the France NAB and Japan NAB, and global strategic partners.

Financing the Future is a dynamic content project about impact investment. The format combines a briefing on impact investment in Aotearoa, NZ, video interviews with thought leaders, investment case studies, and provocations from experts working in the areas that offer immediate opportunities.

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