The launch of a social bond fund by NN Investment Partners (NN IP) reflects a shift among investors towards social impact. NN expects total social bond issuance of €250 billion in 2022, which may appear optimistic based on wider market . Social bonds offer investors alignment with ten of the UN SDG goals, but care must be taken to avoid social washing claims.
Whether you’re a proponent of ESG focused on financial or double materiality, it can be difficult to understand why central banks have become so interested in climate risk.
While ESG, particularly the integration of environmental factors into the investor process, is becoming a mainstream market trend, there is also a growing focus on impact.