The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have a simple yet lofty goal: to serve as a call to action to end global poverty and inequality, protect and restore the environment, and achieve good quality of life for people across the globe. 2024 marks almost 10 years since their creation, with six years to go until the deadline of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Progress on the SDGs has either slowed or completely stalled, hampered by lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, armed conflict and geopolitical tensions. Amongst a range of solutions proposed to plug the holes and reenergise momentum behind the SDGs is financial technologies and innovative approaches to investment. We explore how these technologies like blockchain and impact investing can be leveraged to accelerate progress towards the success of the SDGs.
Blockchain is one such technology. The secure distributed ledger technology behind cryptocurrencies has many other applications, including supply chain and resource management. Some of its uses include tracking the life cycle of mined minerals from extraction to the final product; promoting fair trade practices through transparency through real-time data flows and measuring carbon footprints with permanent, indelible and accessible record of carbon emissions. Companies can also invest in blockchain-based carbon credits, which can mobilise funding for projects and initiatives that support the green transition. In 2023, Ripple (a company in our investment portfolio) invested $100 million in carbon markets, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. These carbon markets will promote the adoption of carbon credits and the investment is part of Ripple’s involvement in addressing climate change and contributing to the success of the SDGs through facilitating fast and affordable international payments.
Another form of innovation is impact investing. It champions a different approach to investing, encouraging individual and institutional investors to choose companies and projects that have a positive social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. The World Economic Forum also favours impact investment, stating that “the true measure of investment transcends traditional financial metrics and must be linked to societal advancement and environmental sustainability. For the SDGs, impact investments can mobilise and direct funding towards renewable energy projects, clean water initiatives, and affordable housing development, bridging the funding gap for these critical areas. Addepar’s (another company in our investment portfolio) wealth management platform integrates the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework into the investment process. On a regional level, the European Investment Fund runs an impact investment programme that aims to “make money care more.” In 2023 the European Commission launched Impact Bridge, a multi-million Euro fund that will support high impact social projects in inclusion, rural development, climate and environment, and gender equality.
The true potential for succeeding with the SDGs lies in collaboration. By embracing innovative approaches to finance and technological developments in the sector, it will be possible to achieve the Goals and the 2030 Agenda in the six years left.
Photo by Katja Anokhina on Unsplash
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