ABOUT THIS REPORT
Force for Good seeks to mobilize the deployment of capital as a force for good in the world at a time of profound and multi-dimensional change. Force for Good engages key stakeholders, conducts research, publishes thought leadership and has an active outreach program to major global financial institutions as well as development banks, NGOs, and other stakeholders with the potential to act as a force for good in the world. It works with major institutions to accelerate their efforts to tackle increasingly complex and interrelated challenges like climate change, social inclusion, and sustainable development in the spirit of encouraging collaboration and spurring a race to the top in making an impact for good in the world.
Now in its third year, the annual Capital as a Force for Good Report provides a snapshot of finance industry leaders’ engagement across ESG, sustainability and stakeholder engagement, in support of the UN Secretary General’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The first part of the report considers the current challenges and obstacles for the world to bridge the growing SDG funding gap, against the backdrop of the world’s financial resources and the stakeholders who control them.
The second part of the report examines the current and potential impact of the world’s major stakeholders on the SDGs, with a particular focus on the finance industry. The report identifies the common ground across the industry on broader ESG, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement maters, as well as highlighting specific initiatives by industry leaders with the potential to make a significant impact on the SDGs.
The third part details a series of multi-stakeholder transformational projects with the potential to make a significant impact on the SDGs.
The report’s analysis is based on a detailed dataset/database capturing the engagement and initiatives of 125 of the world’s largest financial institutions building on the research of the previous two Capital as a Force for Good report, charting the changes in engagement by industry leaders and their changing sustainability commitments.
This report would not have been possible without and relies heavily on the work by the United Nations, particularly UNCTAD, UNDP, UNEP, the Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance, and the UN-PRI, which have pioneered the global efforts in sustainably, development and inclusion.
The Advisory Council for Force for Good comprises:
Helen Alderson, Head of Regional Delegation to the UK and Ireland, International Committee of the Red Cross; former CEO of the World Heart Federation
Edward Braham, Chairman, M&G plc; formerly the Senior Partner (Chair) of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP; non-executive director of TheCityUK, Chair of its International Trade and Investment Group and member of its Leadership Council; non-executive member of the HM Treasury board.
Chantal Line Carpentier, Chief, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) New York office of the Secretary-General
Nitin Desai, former Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations; formerly Secretary & Chief Economic Adviser in the Finance Ministry, India
Garry Jacobs, President and CEO, World Academy of Art and Science; Chairman and CEO, World University Consortium; President of The Mother’s Service Society; Distinguished Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Person-Centered Approach Institute, Italy; Executive Director, International Center for Peace and Development; Full Member of the Club of Rome
Anja Kaspersen, Senior Fellow Carnegie Council; former Director of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva and Deputy Secretary General of the Conference on Disarmament; formerly executive at the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the World Economic Forum
Jonathan Miller, Partner, Advancit Capital; Director of BBC News Worldwide; former Chairman and Chief Executive of News Corporation’s digital media group and News Corporation’s Chief Digital Officer; former Chairman and CEO of AOL Inc; Senior Media Advisor to Global Citizen; Director of Media & Communications, Force for Good
Nicky Newton King, former Chief Executive Officer, Johannesburg Stock Exchange; former Director, World Federation of Exchanges.
Sir Alan Parker, Chairman and founder, Brunswick group; former Chair of Save the Children International; Chairman of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences
Ketan Patel, Chairman, Force for Good; CEO and Founder, Greater Pacific Capital; formerly Managing Director, Goldman Sachs, Head of Strategic Group; former Partner, KPMG