We start off by delving into the differences in approach and expectations between traditional investing, ESG investing and impact investing. Today, the broad view is that it is perfectly viable to seek competitive, risk-adjusted returns, while pursuing best practice in ESG (environmental, social and governance). While, on the more philanthropic side of the spectrum, there are those who are happy to accept concessionary rates of return, trading off some financial return in favour of an improvement in social good.
We look at the Net Zero movement and decarbonisation. And, we explore some areas of contention among those who seek a net zero world. For instance, should one divest from fossil fuels immediately or could one have more leverage by staying engaged?
By divesting immediately, some argue that you lose your voice as an investor to help those firms transition into net zero. Within public equity companies, if one divests it simply means that someone else is buying these stocks, and you are arguably not making a real world impact, in the sense that the CO2 is still being emitted. Therefore, by engaging actively as an investor across all sectors (i.e. not just renewables) you continue to wield influence to try to change the strategic direction of firms, such that companies do the transitioning to net zero themselves.
In this episode we also look at the different tools and approaches available for ESG-minded investors in public and private equity markets. We explore how Actis works with their portfolio companies to help them improve on ESG and how they aim to unlock value during the time of ownership.
This episode explores a wide range of areas from an investment professional’s perspective. Please note you may also wish to listen to our previous interviews with Bob Moritz, Global Chairman of PwC, and Carmine Di Sibio, Global Chairman and CEO of EY, where we explore ESG and the move to standardising reporting frameworks globally.
Follow and subscribe to The Do One Better Podcast and please leave us a review if you enjoy the show. Visit our website at Lidji.org for information on nearly 150 other interviews with remarkable thought leaders. Thank you!
Mark Russell, CEO of the Children’s Society, on launching a new hub for children, celebrating a £1M grant from BBC Children in Need and making a positive impact!
Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM): Launching a new global strategy and tackling the SDGs
Frank Aswani, CEO of the Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), on creating an impact ecosystem in Africa
Lynette Bell, President of the Truist Foundation, on strengthening small businesses, developing career pathways for economic mobility and why philanthropy is fueling the marketplace of ideas
Daniela Ligiero, CEO and President of Together for Girls and Co-Founder of the Brave Movement: working to end sexual violence against children and adolescents
Graham Macmillan, President of Visa Foundation, and Melissa Stevens, Executive Vice President of Philanthropy at the Milken Institute, on corporate philanthropy
Kate Grant, Chief Executive of the Fistula Foundation, on receiving $15M from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and treating women with devastating childbirth injuries
Rose Caldwell, CEO of Plan International UK, on children’s rights, girls’ education, and localisation
Ebrima Saidy, Chief Impact Officer of Save the Children International: Everything you need to know about the increasingly-prominent role of the Chief Impact Officer
Iqbal Dhaliwal, Global Executive Director of MIT’s Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), and Vikrant Bhargava, Founder of Veddis Foundation: Following the evidence trail
Philippa Charles, Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation: philanthropy, family, and flexibility in funding
Don Howard, CEO of the James Irvine Foundation: Economic Mobility for California's Low-Income Workers
Andy Jarvis, Bezos Earth Fund's Director of Future of Food: Innovating for a Sustainable Tomorrow
Saleh Saeed OBE, Chief Executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC): Uniting for Global Humanitarian Relief
Sir Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children): Empowering Society to Protect Children
Delphine Moralis, CEO of Philea (Philanthropy Europe Association): Shaping the Future of Philanthropy in Europe
Tim Dixon, Co-Founder of More in Common: Bridging Divides in a Polarized World
Larry Kramer, incoming President and Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics: reflections on his time at the Hewlett Foundation, lessons in philanthropy, and aspirations for the LSE
Maya Ziswiler, CEO of the UBS Optimus Foundation: Philanthropy, Social Investing and Creating an Impact Economy
Jim McCormick, CEO of the Robertson Trust: Venturing into Impact Investing
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Social Dallas Podcast
Advocacy Scoop Podcast
Change Church Podcast
The Biz of Nonprofit Consultants
Nonprofits Are Messy: Lessons in Leadership | Fundraising | Board Development | Communications