Private Sector Investment and Sustainable Development (White Paper)

The United Nations Global Compact, UNCTAD, UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment and the UNEP Finance Initiative have released a new white paper on the critical role of private investment in the sustainable development financing architecture. The white paper, "Private Sector Investment and Sustainable Development", provides an overview of the current and potential role of institutional investors, companies, banks and foundations in the design and implementation of a financing strategy for global sustainability.    

This year will be an important milestone in the transition towards sustainable development. UN Member States are expected to agree on a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), achieve a universal agreement on climate, and design a broad vision of how to finance sustainable development during the third International Conference of Financing for Development.   

The levels of financing required to achieve sustainable development are significant, and Governments and civil society are calling on private actors to be part of the solution. As institutional investors, companies, banks and foundations provide a large source of private capital available for investment, they will be an integral part of the design and implementation strategy to finance the post-2015 development agenda. Despite the growth of corporate sustainability and responsible investment, and the increased adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations throughout the investment value chain, private sector participation in financing sustainability is relatively low. The white paper seeks to energize the dialogue among public and private actors and lead to greater alignment of private investment with sustainable development. 

READ THE FULL REPORT: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/resources/1181