Inclusive And Sustainable Finance

Instead of being a means to an end, finance has become an end in itself and a master of economic actions and priorities. The role of ethics, culture and faith has been diminished by neoliberalism over the last forty years, such that we are living through a profound moral crisis, rising inequality and plutocracy. This practice is destroying the social and trust capital that already exists and is in need of replenishing. This pioneering book draws upon diverse wisdom traditions and their current living business practices to show that not only is another world possible, but it is actually hiding in plain sight. The author argues that our obsession with technocratic economic science has disabled us from exposing the organic and culturally diverse practices of finance. The climate and inequality crises demand new institutional and cultural solutions to transform behaviour and heal the planet. Through real-life examples and case studies, this book illustrates and develops a new organic theory of finance which can be taught and shared all over the world, helping society to prepare for a sustainable and inclusive future. It provides valuable empowerment to experts and professionals from different cultures and traditions to write about their own finance practices and in turn encourage their students and communities to embrace sustainability ideals. There is a global audience for this book, given its multicultural outlook and the diversity of narratives and case studies, from entrepreneurs to MBA students and leaders in accounting and finance. It also has huge relevance for policymakers and educators keen on embracing sustainable finance in their curriculum.

More than 120 countries have committed to net zero targets by 2050, requiring systemic economic transitions on an unprecedented scale and with the finance sector playing a leading role. Green finance will power the transition, ensuring capital flows to the firms, investments, projects and technologies looking to create a sustainable, low-carbon world. To achieve net zero, every professional financial decision must take climate change and broader sustainability factors into account. Green and Sustainable Finance provides a comprehensive guide to the application of common green and sustainable principles and practices in banking, investment and insurance to help finance professionals embed these in their daily activities and decision-making. Focusing on the necessity of mainstreaming green and sustainable finance globally, this book includes a clear explanation of the science underpinning climate change. Green and Sustainable Finance covers a wide range of green finance products and services in retail, commercial and corporate banking, insurance, investment and fintech. It provides an overview of emerging regulation and international market frameworks and standards, particularly in relation to climate and environmental risk. Consideration is also given to the ethical dimensions of green and sustainable finance, including how professionals can promote market integrity and take active steps to avoid greenwashing. Endorsed by the Chartered Banker Institute as the core text for the benchmark Certificate in Green and Sustainable Finance, this book is essential reading for finance professionals and students, and individuals working to embed sustainability in business, policy and regulation.

The notion of sustainable development is applied to financial activities through sustainable finance. As a result, sustainable finance attempts to produce long-term value by allocating capital to projects that, in addition to providing economic benefits, are furthermore beneficial to society and do not burden the environment. This book sheds light on contemporary challenges in sustainable finance, addressing two key perspectives: measurement and performance, and products and business models. In particular, the volume examines theoretically and empirically the relations between business models and non-financial impact, both environmental and social; as for the social goals, a special focus of the book is dedicated to the gender gap.

Academic Paper from the year 2022 in the subject Business economics - Controlling, grade: 2.0, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, course: Sustainable Development Management, language: English, abstract: This paper gives an overview over sustainable finance and sustainability reporting. To keep and expand the balance of green capital supply and demand, we need sustainable financing on a large scale in various industries. Sustainable finance is standards, regulations, and products from an inclusive process of considering social, governance, and environmental aspects when investing. The investment includes but is not limited to climate change mitigation, forests regeneration, human capital, green skills advancement, and regulations for private and public sectors. Sustainability reporting showcases operations impact on SD’s social, governance, and environment dimensions. It gives corporates a better image of transparency and, for governments, a broader understanding of companies’ risks and opportunities. Companies are on their pathways to minimize their CO2 emissions. Still, we do not have inclusive assessment standards worldwide to provide the public and investors with indicators of whether a company is sustainable or not. However, the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is working to develop an International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and introduce it to COP26 stakeholders.

Sustainable investments, although not yet working under a comprehensive regulatory framework, represent a growing, worldwide phenomenon. Such growth reflects the renewed public and private interest in environmental issues such as climate change, poverty and financial inclusion, as well as growing support from conscious investors looking to finance environmental and social initiatives. However, despite the interest that sustainable investments are gaining among governors, investors and practitioners, important challenges remain that must be addressed. Comprising a collection of research presented at the 2nd Social Impact Investments International Conference, this contributed volume offers a global analysis of the current state of the sustainable finance sector, proposing solutions to challenging obstacles and exploring topics including impact investing, social impact bonds and green banking. Providing real-life case studies from Europe, Latin America and Africa, this book is an insightful and timely read for scholars interested in sustainable finance, social impact investing, development finance and alternative finance.

Combining theory, empirical data, and policy this book provides a fresh analysis of sustainable finance. It explains the sustainability challenges for corporate investment and shows how finance can steer funding to certain companies and projects without sacrificing return, speeding up the transistion to a sustainable economy.

This book discusses the transformation of the banking industry, particularly after a number of recent shocks: 2008 financial crisis, 2012 Euro-sovereign crisis, the pandemic COVID-19 crisis, the technological revolution, and reputational problems in banking due to climate risk and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) metrics. The book emphasizes two post-pandemic issues: the role of financial education and inclusive finance, and responsible banking and ESG priorities. Individual chapters analyse how the pandemic shed new light on social and governance responsibilities: Major issues include the importance and efficiency of financial education, and the impact of ESG programs on firms’ value, banks’ probability of default, bank business models and reputation risk. The book also addresses investors’ behaviour and the factors which may bias financial disclosure and reporting. By addressing whether the post-2008 crisis bank restructuring has effectively created a resilient and sustainable banking system – mostly from the European market’s perspective – the book will be of interest to researchers, academics, policy makers, and professionals of banking and financial institutions.

"With the arrival of the 'Internet of Things', (IoT), smartphones, real-time payments systems, plus FinTech activity, financial inclusion services can now be integrated into a country's National Payment System, (NPS), which means there should be no systemic barriers to transitioning the socioeconomic pyramid, as actors build their financial status. This, however, is not the case. This book is a comprehensive guide to understanding the transition of financial services from cash-based to digital-based systems, with a focus on financial inclusion. It explores the success of financial inclusion programs in promoting economic activity and lifting people out of poverty. It does not concentrate on a single deployment or approach, rather, it takes a broader view. The book surveys the technology and infrastructure required to build digital payment systems, as well as the regulatory and governance frameworks that enable their operation, however, the major focus is on the incorporation of these financial services within communities in order to deliver social outcomes. The book opens the conversation, proposing a new method of measuring financial inclusion. It takes a critical but constructive look at the field over the last 20+ years and discusses the key learnings. It examines the Kenya mobile money approach to financial inclusion, compared with the Indian bank lead approach, and delivers a broad-based plan on how the programs can be more effective in the future. Financial inclusion requires a pathway to progress, through a period of technology transformation. The foundation is provided by this book and the reader, on finishing it, will have a comprehensive appreciation of the subject matter"--