Algbra’s Post

Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It's about doing more good! At ABN AMRO Bank N.V. we work together with our clients on transitioning to a more sustainable society. Today I'm proud to share our new vision for Impact Nation: our sustainability acceleration programme developed in partnership with TNW and Impact Hub Network. Impact Nation's 100-day programme helps you solve your most urgent sustainability challenge. Leveraging the power of open innovation and cooperation, we match you with over 16,000 internationally sourced solutions, startups, and innovations, offer supporting modules, and support you with the practical side of implementation 🚀 🌍 🌱 Are you ready to accelerate your sustainability journey? Reach out via email at impactnation@abnamro.nl or by responding in the comments. Together with Kyra van der Sande, Seif K., Evan van der Holst, Sammie de Vries, Robert-Jan van Nievelt, Ilse Kwaaitaal, Micha Nolten, Moniek Verkuijlen, Niina Pussinen, Solange Rouschop, Krista Overwater, Karianne Tieleman, Fred Bos, Philippine Rietveld, Robert Swaak, Annerie Vreugdenhil, Anouk van der Stee, Jeroen de Bruin, Eline Weststrate, Julia van Boven, Jeljer Haarsma, Merijn van den Bergh #sustainableinnovation, #100daychallenge, #doitnow

👁️More from B For Good Leaders notes👇🏼 Antoni BALLABRIGA highlights BBVA's commitment to fostering opportunity for all. Proactive approach➡discussing purpose at annual assessment involving all employees. Big #banks need to change by adding '3'= 1. Risk 2. Return 3. Impact. Sustaibility should be a business opportunity, not compliance. Pauline Bieringa: significant shift ➡ pension funds in NL embracing ESG investments in response to public demand Vishesh Srivastava: pension/gov. funds hold the largest pools of funds➡ not only few trillionaires have significant financial influence➡crucial for shaping sustainable investment strategies+fostering equitable wealth distribution Kevin Tayebaly: KPIs should include 'is the issue is being solved?'. He mentioned ‘climate dividends’. New to you like it was to me? https://lnkd.in/eTP6c_5D Cecile Beliot-Zind highlights our food system➡1 person succumbs to hunger every 4 seconds+food production=1/3 of global #CO2 emissions. Make sustainable products accessible to impoverished populations, safeguarding them from inflated prices Marit van Egmond: How can consumers cook climate-neutral without clear labeling? As the 1st generation to have sustainability knowledge, we must act on it. Ask yourself➡are you creating progress or only a movement? Stay loyal to your passion+connected to people around you Werner Schouten and Michel Scholte advocate for true price of products+ESG values, while making sustainable options more affordable/accessible Tessa van Soest: Restore human connection to nature➡Grant legal rights to nature. Onboard the voice of nature in business-does it have a seat on our board? Dr. Stefan Siemer: technology serves as a tool, not the end goal. #ESG regulation: focus on the company or the product? We need transparency so that good companies aren't inadvertently associated with unethical products and vice versa Mike Odenhoven: Did you see the tree you invested in?➡technology solves this by ensuring transparency/control over our investments Charmian (Char) Love: Softwares can help us identify inequality between men&women. Financial liberty must be taken seriously. ESG reporting➡many different ways of reporting➡there has to be a consistency to avoid confusing consumers Kees Kruythoff: power of brands with a #mission, addressing societal issues. Studies suggest➡purpose-driven companies often outperform in financial performance, employee engagement/retention, customer loyalty,.. Charlie MacGregor: unite diverse communities for stronger society! He also advises to look outside of work➡absorb knowledge by volunteering Wouter Van Besien: financial literacy often lacking➡crucial to educate the public about banking practices➡not all banks are bad Hans Perk:their investors are aware that they might sacrifice ROI for ethical investments➡remarkable consciousness of trade-off between financial gains&ethics Eva Gladek: by empowering just a few➡ignite ripple effect of positive change

Smart Growth And Why Our SDGs Need a Radical Overhaul to Prevent a Lost Decade - With only 17% of SDG targets on track, a radical rethink is needed. Global efforts to address inequality through initiatives like the SDGs have failed, with rampant inequality on the rise worldwide. Economic shocks such as Brexit & COVID-19 exposed & exacerbated existing disparities. In recent years, several high-profile sectors have undergone rigorous testing and validation, providing crucial data that challenges prevailing assumptions. The quick commerce industry, despite billions in "f*** you money," has struggled to achieve profitability. Companies like Gorillas, which raised $1.3 billion, and Getir, with $1.8 billion in funding and an $11.8 billion valuation, have fallen victim to their own "growth-at-all-costs" strategies, resulting in unsustainable unit economics. The electric vehicle sector, while promising, continues to grapple with significant challenges, particularly in developing adequate charging infrastructure. Autonomous vehicles, once heralded as the imminent future of transportation, have progressed far slower than hyped, with full autonomy remaining frustratingly elusive. Infrastructure, the backbone of economic growth, has shown alarming deficiencies in developed nations. The United States received a dismal C- grade for its infrastructure, while the United Kingdom faces critical improvement needs across various sectors. These examples collectively underscore the complexity of translating innovative ideas into sustainable, scalable solutions. Here's a more concise version: Some examples of good practices: Air New Zealand: Prioritizing Equality • Focused on 9 SDGs aligned with business strategy • Introduced "fairfare" pricing for remote communities Unilever: Empowering Smallholder Farmers • Enabled 832,000 smallholders to access improvement initiatives • Goal: Ensure living wage/income for all direct providers by 2030 For smart growth, we need smarter goals, evolving SDGs to reflect complex, interconnected challenges. Air New Zealand and Unilever demonstrate how businesses can address multiple SDGs while balancing profitability with sustainability and social impact. Key strategies: 1. Holistic Integration 2. Prioritise Equality 3. Balance Short-term and Long-term 4. Data-Driven Approach 5. Partnerships 6. Innovative Growth 7. Oxygen (Financial Integration) 8. Coherence 9. Localise SDGs 10. Build Resilience This evolution reflects a nuanced, integrated approach to SDGs, incorporating implementation lessons and addressing emerging challenges.

As a judge for the 36th Banksia National Sustainability Awards, I’m excited to announce that the awards are now open for entry! This year, our theme is optimism – celebrating the incredible individuals, organisations, and initiatives across Australia that are making a profound difference and inspiring hope for a sustainable future. 🌏 🌿 Calling all sustainability champions! 🌿 We’re seeking nominations from all sectors – from grassroots community groups to innovative startups and established corporations. If you know someone who is leading the way in sustainability, I encourage you to nominate them for these prestigious awards. 🏆 Why enter? These awards are more than a competition. They are a platform to recognise excellence, share best practices, and ignite optimism across the nation. Every entry contributes to building a more sustainable Australia. 👉 Get involved: If you know an inspiring individual or organisation that should be recognised, please consider nominating them. And if you’re part of my network and think your work or that of someone you know deserves the spotlight, reach out – I’d love to hear about it! Let’s work together to uncover and celebrate the hidden sustainability champions of Australia! For more information and to submit an entry, visit Banksia Awards Website. #Sustainability #BanksiaAwards #ClimateAction #Innovation #EnvironmentalLeadership #Australia #Optimism #MakeADifference

"Let’s face it--virtue signaling was the trend from 2020-2023.  But like all trends, the tides have begun to turn."--Amy Nauiokas I've wanted to write a post about #ESG for a long time, explaining why I think it's total BS. Won't be doing it-- a new post from Amy Nauiokas, CEO of Anthemis Group, is better than anything I could come up with. Key points from her post on the Empire Startups - Everything FinTech newsletter: 1️⃣ "It is clear to many of us working for impact, that ESG in its original concept and formation was largely dead on arrival. A novel concept that almost instantaneously became its own side-show." My take: It might have been clear to many that the original concept was DOA, but not a lot of them were stating that publicly. 2️⃣ "ESG was a box: something that companies [and] investors do for the sake of checking it off, easily packed up and pushed off to the side when it’s no longer en vogue." My take: This is true with many [most] trends du jour. Why haven't people called this out? Perhaps the fear of being ostracized. 3️⃣ "Since 2020, more than $1 dollars has flowed into funds in support of ESG goals. Yet, the positive impact of how that money was invested and what the outcomes have been remains unclear." My (cynical) take: With no mechanism to measure the outcomes, maybe the primary intention was virtue signaling and not impact. 4️⃣ "Impact investing should be about taking accountability for doing what they say they are doing--and proving it." My take: Agree. But the hard part is the "proving it" part. ------- Amy's comments about the "turning tide of virtue signaling" dovetails nicely with the recent Davos event. The Wall Street Journal pointed out that the event--which has been the showcase of ESG support--has "gently turned to the right." The article points out that "businesses on both sides of the Atlantic are discovering that ESG investing and stakeholder capitalism work much better with zero interest rates than in a world where money doesn’t grow on trees." As Amy says, the tides are turning. Check out her full post here: https://lnkd.in/eW4UD99r Jon Zanoff

Thanks to our expert speakers for sharing their insights into sustainable portfolio strategies - here are some of the highlights: • Andrew Douglas, CFA (University of Zurich) introduced the motivations behind sustainable investing (alignment with personal values, positive impact, future-fit portfolios, and legacy & philanthropy), and the fundamental importance of understanding the needs of investors. • Dr. Stephanie Bilo discussed three main themes of responsAbility Investments AG: financial inclusion, sustainable foods and agriculture, and climate finance. She shared some successful projects and products, including the Asia Climate fund. Impact areas include access to finance, job creation, gender equality, and financial inclusion, with a focus on providing tangible benefits to beneficiaries • Judith Capello from Alternative Bank Schweiz stressed the importance of asking questions to ensure your money makes an impact, including criteria for exclusion, the driver behind exclusions. She also discussed the shift towards mainstream sustainability in customer preferences and innovation potential for new products. • Erik Gloerfeld from Inyova Impact Investing introduced two ways investments can make an impact, namely active ownership (engagement with companies) and financing new sustainable projects. He emphasized his belief – and Inyova’s founding principle – of making sustainable investing accessible for all through digital platforms. The upcoming launch of Inyova Grow will further diversify and risk-optimise this through direct investment into projects. Thanks to all speakers and our event sponsors Green Fintech Network, responsAbility Investments AG, Alternative Bank Schweiz, Innosuisse for a successful and insightful event! #zurich #sustainablefinance #sustainableinvesting

🌍 Exploring Financial Sustainability Trends: A Glimpse into 2024 🚀 Reflecting on last year's predictions, we foresaw key sustainability trends shaping the financial industry. In 2023, we witnessed the impact of five major areas: regulatory complexities across the EU, UK, and USA; the decoupling of financial returns from "ESG" themes; fund reclassifications; the rise of greenwashing; and a decreased focus on climate change in shareholder meetings. While it's too early to claim these as definitive trends for 2023, they undeniably played a significant role. In 2024, we anticipate their continued relevance, now complemented by the pivotal role of artificial intelligence. 🌐 Regulatory Landscape: Defining sustainable products remains complex, with each jurisdiction establishing its conditions. The resultant discouragement and perceived inefficacy of regulations impede fair play and transparency. In 2024, we expect regulators, particularly in Europe, to refine and flexibilize existing norms, emphasizing the role of compliance and non-financial data verification. 📈 Rethinking Sustainability: Fortunately, the misconception that sustainable investments inherently yield superior returns is diminishing. True sustainability involves meeting present needs without compromising the future, achieving financial, social, and environmental profitability. Companies embracing essential ESG criteria for financial goals create value for stakeholders, going beyond mere compliance with rating agency standards. 🔄 Fund Reclassification: 2023 witnessed a global reclassification of numerous funds, historic agreements with regulators to combat greenwashing, and financial entities retracting net-zero emission commitments. These adjustments signify a recalibration process, valuing authenticity and purpose-driven strategies in sustainability. 🗳️ Investor Rights: Major asset managers and ETF providers continue to grant investors voting rights as a transparent and client-centric practice. However, the delegation of these functions raises questions about asset managers' fiduciary duty, potentially conflicting with the core purpose of collective investment. 🤖 Role of AI:Artificial intelligence's impact across society brings both potential benefits and unknown risks. The conscious capitalism movement, aligned with sustainability and environmental and governance policies, becomes crucial in establishing ethical and governance boundaries for AI use. Solid barriers must be set to ensure limited risks and clear benefits for society and the planet. In the dynamic landscape of financial sustainability, 2024 promises continued evolution, with AI emerging as a key player in reshaping the industry. You can access the full article (Spanish) from Funds Society by clicking here https://lnkd.in/d239pnyi #FinancialSustainability #AIinFinance #ESGInvesting #2024Trends

🌍 Big week ahead at #ClimateWeekNYC!    💫 Today, we're excited to kick off the Annual #BCTI Commissioner Meeting alongside the WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development #CouncilMeeting in New York. We’re also hosting two impactful sessions centered around our #Equity work: 1️⃣ "The State of the World: The Race is On" – Top thinkers and scientists will explore the intersection of physical and societal risks, driving sustainability breakthroughs that every C-Suite leader should prioritize.  2️⃣ "Just Transition & Workforce of the Future | The Adaptation & Resilience Frontier" – From deep dives in Agriculture & Food to innovative climate adaptation solutions, today’s conversations will help shape the future of business and community resilience.    💫 Coming up tomorrow:  1️⃣ Business Fights Poverty Global Goals Summit 2024 – As a partner, we’re supporting the session hosted by Barclays "Enabling a Just Transition Through Climate Insurance," focusing on collaborative strategies to address climate risk and expand access to insurance for vulnerable populations: https://lnkd.in/ezmjnnFx  2️⃣ "Advancing DE&I Throughout Value Chains & Marketplaces", hosted by dentsu – We’ll dive into the 'More Than That' initiative, a groundbreaking radio show and TV series with a Black-owned supply chain, moderated by Julie Coffman of Bain & Company.    💫 Coming up Thursday:  1️⃣ Boston Consulting Group (BCG) will lead a session on “Financing the ‘Just’ in the Just Transition”, linked to our #JustTransition workstream.  2️⃣ Our second session at the Business Fights Poverty Global Goals Summit 2024: "Driving ESG Innovation in the New Regulatory Context"—a hybrid workshop with Meta exploring how companies can remain ambitious in delivering social and environmental innovation while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.    💫Coming up Friday:  The Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD) will host a webinar celebrating its official launch. This cross-sector initiative will develop a global framework to help businesses and investors better identify, assess, and report on inequality-related risks and opportunities: https://lnkd.in/eNsfUpkk     Stay tuned for key takeaways from all these important sessions throughout the week! #TacklingInequality  

As the issue of climate change continues to escalate, finding resilient and sustainable solutions is of the utmost importance. One such champion of this cause, is our client Farm Credibly, recently recognised by Daphne Ewing-Chow in Forbes as a driver in fostering a climate-resilient Caribbean through their green fintech approach. Farm Credibly bridges the gap between smallholder farmers and investors by utilising digital financial services, helping farmers gain much-needed funding. This unique model also boosts food security, and has a far-reaching positive impact on rural economies. This just goes to show that technology and finance, when thoughtfully combined, can create real, lasting change for vulnerable communities, industries, and the planet as a whole. Have a read on how green fintech is driving Caribbean climate resilience and food security: https://lnkd.in/eKWfTJ5w

🌍 Introducing TISFD: A New Era in Social Disclosure! 🌍 On September 23, 2024, the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD) was officially established. This initiative aims to balance the market's focus on environmental issues by emphasizing the importance of social issues. 🔍 Key Highlights: - Global Framework: TISFD aims to create a global framework for reporting and managing social risks, opportunities, impacts, and dependencies. - Transparency Revolution: By setting financial disclosure standards, TISFD seeks to improve transparency and promote fair economic growth across five major industries. - Focus Areas: 1. Labor-Intensive Industry: Addressing wage inequality, poor working conditions, and low unionization in textiles, apparel, and electronics manufacturing industries. 2. Resource-Intensive Industry: Mitigating the environmental, social, and economic harm caused by resource extraction practices in mining, cement, and oil and gas industries, with a focus on protecting indigenous peoples' rights. 3. Consumer Goods Industry: Ensuring product safety, quality, and consumer impacts in industries like food, beverages, and cosmetics, while addressing misleading advertising practices. 4. Financial Industry: Tackling social inequality exacerbated by financial products like high-interest loans, and ensuring data security to protect customer privacy. 5. Technology Industry: Addressing algorithmic bias, privacy concerns, and ethical problems caused by new technologies like AI and big data, and mitigating the digital divide. To create a fairer and more inclusive world! 🌟 Article link: En: https://lnkd.in/gv2meDZz Ch: https://lnkd.in/gTyQ4GCh #Sustainability #SocialDisclosure #TISFD #FairEconomy