Asian Impact Management Review is an affiliate of Asian Institute for Impact Measurement and Management
Magazine
Issue
Winter 2024
Current Issue
The Winter 2024 issue offers an insightful collection of global perspectives and thought leadership in impact and sustainable finance. The cover story highlights the critical need to scale impact finance and address the financing gap for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The regional report delves into Japan’s enduring tradition of ethical capitalism, exploring its evolution through the sampo-yoshi philosophy, which harmonizes benefits for sellers, buyers, and society. Research highlights push beyond ESG frameworks, focusing on measurable outcomes and stakeholder inclusivity as foundational to sustainable finance practices. A methodology feature presents the Impact-Weighted Accounts Framework (IWAF), a tool that integrates sustainability metrics into financial reporting, enabling a holistic evaluation of organizational impacts. Additionally, a provocative book review critiques conventional impact investing and calls for innovative approaches to unlock its transformative potential. Finally, an exclusive interview with Cliff Prior provides invaluable insights into scaling impact investing and tackling systemic barriers. Together, these features deliver actionable strategies and inspiration for practitioners dedicated to advancing sustainable finance in Asia and beyond.
Cover Designer 廖偲佑 – 經濟繁花
Editor's Words
Editor's Words
As we close out 2024 and step into the new year, the Asian Impact Management Review remains steadfast in its mission to champion the growth of sustainable and impact finance across Asia. This Winter issue is a testament to the rapid advancements, bold innovations, and transformative thinking reshaping the landscape of impact investing and sustainable development.
This issue is a call to action for practitioners, policymakers, and investors alike. Our cover story, "Impact Finance in Asia: Time to Build," illuminates the critical need to scale impact finance to bridge the $4 trillion financing gap for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular focus on Asia’s role in driving this change. It is a compelling reminder that building intellectual infrastructure, fostering partnerships, and developing regional expertise are not just ambitions—they are imperatives.
The regional report offers a fascinating exploration of Japan’s ethical capitalism roots, weaving historical perspectives with modern applications of the sampo-yoshi philosophy that prioritize benefits for all stakeholders. This lens offers valuable insights for practitioners aiming to embed ethical principles into their own organizational strategies.
In the realm of research, this issue moves beyond traditional ESG metrics, emphasizing the importance of measurable outcomes and stakeholder inclusivity as the cornerstones of meaningful sustainable finance. The introduction of the Impact-Weighted Accounts Framework (IWAF) offers a transformative tool for quantifying sustainability impacts in financial reporting, paving the way for greater transparency and accountability.
For those seeking fresh perspectives, our thought-provoking book review critiques the current trajectory of impact investing, challenging readers to embrace innovative approaches to amplify its potential. Adding depth, our interview with Cliff Prior provides a candid and practical take on overcoming systemic barriers and scaling impact investing in the region.
Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to the field, this issue is crafted to inspire action and spark dialogue. It provides a robust blend of thought leadership, actionable insights, and innovative frameworks designed to empower readers to navigate the complexities of sustainable and impact finance.
We invite you to delve into this issue with curiosity and ambition. Together, let us drive the transformation needed to create a more sustainable, equitable, and impactful future for Asia and beyond.
Cover Story
Cover Story
Impact Finance in Asia: Time to Build
Impact finance is growing rapidly in Asia, but not rapidly enough. The financing gap to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is now estimated to be over $4 trillion, with Asia likely to bear much of the cost. Impact finance could be an important part of the solution, but bringing it to scale will require investment in intellectual infrastructure (especially disclosure standards), a commitment to partner more efficiently, and development of impact finance expertise in the region.
Regional Report
Regional Report
Japan’s Impact Economy (Part 1)
Ethical Capital Japan has a long history of ethical capitalism that dates back centuries. The Meiji Restoration marked a time of political, economic, and social change that modernized Japan. Japanese elites and merchants gained new prominence and defined sampo-yoshi, a business philosophy emphasizing three pillars: good for the seller, good for the buyer, and good […]
Case Study
Case Study
Data Collection and Decision-Making in Impact Investing: A Case Study on LGT Venture Philanthropy
Impact investing balances social and financial returns. This study explores tensions in impact assessment, focusing on LGT Venture Philanthropy’s methodologies, stakeholder conflicts, and strategies for aligning evaluation with organizational missions and sustainability.
Research Highlights
Research Highlights
Beyond ESG: Embracing Impact Measurement for Real Sustainable Finance
The Value Model and Impact Measurement and Management overcome ESG ratings’ limitations by emphasizing measurable outcomes, transparency, and stakeholder inclusivity, enabling sustainability and finance professionals align financial returns with meaningful societal and environmental impacts.
Methodology
Methodology
Monetizing and Reporting Impact: Applying an Impact-Weighted Accounts Framework to Asia
The Impact-Weighted Accounts Framework (IWAF) integrates sustainability impact with financial reporting, offering transparency and enhanced decision-making for Asian organizations. IWAF quantifies impacts in monetary terms and aligns with global sustainability goals, providing a holistic view of corporate influence on society and the environment.
Book Review
Book Review
Saving Impact Investing from Itself
This book review critiques the underperformance of impact investing, proposing the innovative I3 framework. The book is a call-to-action for bolder approaches, expanded outcomes, and better alignment with sustainable goals to realize impact investing’s transformative potential.
Impacter Insights
Impacter Insights
Scaling Impact Investing and Breaking Barriers: Interview with Cliff Prior
As someone with vast experience in leadership roles, could you share an overview of your professional journey and what you’re focusing on now? As you know, I recently left GSG Impact after four and a half years of my three-year contract—you can figure that out! I ended up staying longer than I had initially intended. […]
Pioneers Post
Pioneers Post
Why is impact investing slapped with an ‘impact measurement’ tax?
Call yourself an impact investor, and – unlike any other investor – you’ll be required to spend time and money proving that you’re doing what you say you’re doing.
Pioneers Post
UK social impact investments reach £10bn in 2023 but growth slows – Better Society Capital
Better Society Capital, the UK’s social investment wholesaler, reveals 7% growth in the market since 2022 plus a new analysis of the most prolific types of investor.
