Cover Story

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.

The Asian Sustainable and Impact Investing (SII) ecosystem can continue to leverage global lessons related to impact measurement and management, policy, and the green transition to accelerate the adoption of SII.

In 2023, ‘impact’ is a common language in Japan, signifying the rise of the impact economy, incorporating impact management into investment, business, consumption, and government.

Environmental issues typically involve various objective scientific studies. Practitioners may need to recognize the importance of science-based governance and embrace the core principles of pursuing human health and well-being when conducting environmental impact assessment.

Assurance Framework Lead of SDG Impact Standards explains the new flagship decision-making tool of UNDP toward sustainability and against Impact Washing.