Sustainable Finance Collaboration Labs
It is estimated that between $5-7 trillion annual investment is needed to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The private sector has both an opportunity and a key role to play in mobilising capital at greater pace and scale to solve urgent, globally connected challenges. To dramatically increase the volume SDG-aligned investments and SDG-linked finance, the United Nations Global Compact aims to tap into the US $17 trillion in annual corporate investments.
The UN Global Compact Network UK launched a series of Sustainable Finance Collaboration Labs (C-Lab) to help member companies align corporate investment with their SDG policies and strategies, identify mutual interests, and uncover opportunities for collaboration and impact.
Through a series of online and in-person events, experts discussed how investors are increasingly seeking credible sustainability information and pathways, and discussed innovative sustainable finance tools that companies can employ. Through interactive discussions and workshops, participants worked to align on mutual interests and generate ideas for collaborations and impactful solutions.
The Key Takeaways Report is coming soon, featuring insights and key highlights from all Sustainable Finance Collaboration Labs sessions.
Highlights of the Year
Global Ethical Finance Initiative Annual Summit 2024, 26 September
As part of the Sustainable Finance Collaboration Lab programme, the UN Global Compact Network UK partnered with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and the Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) to deliver an SDG Hive session at Ethical Finance Global 2024 in Edinburgh. The session highlighted the imperative and opportunity to achieve SDG progress through finance while strengthening the resilience of the financial system to global shocks in an increasingly connected world. It explored how partnerships serve as a key driver of ambition and innovation to address globally linked challenges.
The session brought together finance experts, along with corporate, policy, and third-sector actors, to discuss the role of partnerships in driving and scaling up finance to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. A panel of industry leaders from across the finance value chain discussed how partnerships were powering innovative solutions, raising ambition, and contributing to favourable investment conditions for sustainable development.
Attendees drew inspiration from the panel discussion and participated in an interactive workshop to share cross-sector perspectives on sustainable finance challenges. They discussed opportunities for partnerships to present solutions, such as scaling up innovative finance tools, advocating for policy changes, and reducing risks associated with impact projects, particularly in emerging economies and sectors most in need of access to capital.
Speakers:
Caroline Haas
Head of Climate and ESG Capital
NatWest Markets Plc
Joanne Murphy
Interim Chief Executive
Chartered Banker Institute
William Wollerton
Senior Sustainability Manager
Phoenix Group
Yulia Bull
Head of UK & Ireland
Principles for Responsible Investment
SDG Hive: Sustainable Finance Collaboration Lab 4, 21 November
On November 21, we hosted the final session of the Sustainable Finance Collaboration Labs 2024 series. This webinar focused on how private sector companies and investors can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through strategic investments and corporate finance initiatives.
A panel discussion on SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation explored key private sector investment opportunities in water solutions for security and climate resilience. Speakers shared practical insights on how businesses can recognise the overlooked value of this crucial resource in their supply chains, as well as underlying opportunities to benefit from innovative approaches and long-term resilience.
Speakers Sarah Webster (Britvic) and Sally Uren (Forum for the Future) discussed how companies are improving strategic approaches to managing sustainability risks and opportunities, and how sustainable finance solutions are driving long-term value and innovation. The presentations outlined the practical challenges companies are facing and the need for private actors to align and build capacity for finance system transformation.
Steven Lloyd
Lead for Sustainable Investment and Water Strategic Services
Arup
James Payne
Global Head - Purpose of Business Transition
Forum from the Future
Sarah Webster
Director of Sustainable Business
Britvic
Sally Uren
Chief Executive Officer
Forum from the Future
Mai-Lan Ha
Director of Private Sector Policy and Advocacy
WaterAid
Anupam Ravi
Senior Vice President
GIST Impact
We look forward to building on the learnings from this series in 2025. Next year, we will continue to convene diverse actors to create an open space for dialogue about aligning private finance flows with sustainable solutions, and harness collaborative efforts to unlock sustainable solutions to achieve progress on the SDGs.
Access session recording here ➜
For more information, please contact Billie Armstrong, Project Manager, Governance & SDGs.
