ABSTRACT

In the world of finance, environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have until recently really only impinged upon the ‘soft’ domains of public relations, philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. The existing literature focuses on issues including how finance can contribute to environmental governance, the need for investment to mitigate climate change and how financial institutions should act in a responsible way when conducting their operations.

However, very little literature focuses solely on why exactly, and under what circumstances, ESG factors influence the profitability of investment, insurance and lending activities and a systematic, rigorous business case for ESG finance analysis is largely missing.

The aim of this book is to tackle and answer the question: ‘when and why is it profitable to incorporate environmental, social and governance factors into financial operations?’ and brings together fifteen original chapters written exclusively by leading finance executives, practitioners and scholars.

part |12 pages

The business case for sustainable finance

chapter |10 pages

The business case for sustainable finance

Beyond public relations, ethics and philanthropy

part |63 pages

The business case for sustainable finance

chapter |19 pages

Litigation expenses

The case for socially responsible investment due to costly liability

chapter |21 pages

Microfinance Microfinance and the creation of shared value

Delineating the investment case for non-financial analysis in microfinance

part |43 pages

The business case for sustainable finance

part |27 pages

The Business Case for Sustainable Finance