Standard Chartered: Affordable and clean energy tops list of Sustainable Development Goals supported by wealthy investors

Investors in global financial hubs Hong Kong, Singapore, UAE and the UK are increasingly moving towards sustainable investing, with their funds supporting five key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a new survey by Standard Chartered Private Bank1.

Affordable and clean energy tops the list of SDGs receiving funds from high-net-worth (HNW) and affluent investors, followed by Clean water and sanitation. Investors also expect improvements to the measurability of impact from sustainable investing. Standard Chartered Private Bank has launched the Impact Philosophy, offering HNW clients a robust roadmap for using their resources to drive impact, measured in line with the global Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS).

Driving private capital towards the SDGs

The SDGs currently face an annual funding shortfall of USD2.5tn, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development World Investment Report 2014. Yet with growing awareness of these global challenges, more investors are looking to channel their money to effect positive change. The survey revealed the goals that resonate most with the social conscience of investors are mostly around social and environmental impact, with Affordable and clean energy emerging as the top SDG concern, followed closely by Clean water and sanitation.

Figure 1: Top 5 Sustainable Development Goals of interest

Figure 2: Top Sustainable Development Goals of interest in each market surveyed

To view full press release, visit the Standard Chartered website here.

1The survey, conducted by Agility, covered 421 affluent and high-net-worth individuals in Hong Kong, Singapore, UAE and the UK, with a minimum of USD1m in investments, who are currently engaged in sustainable investing.

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