Announcing the SDG Impact Nordic Springboard
Monday, 06 May 2019 11:36
Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, will gather with leading Nordic investment firms EQT, Summa Equity and LGT at the Business for Peace Summit in Oslo, Norway on May 15, 2019 to call for all global capital flows to advance the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda. The event marks the Nordic Springboard of the United Nations’ SDG Impact initiative.
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is expected to require $5-7 trillion in total annual investment and requires a fundamental rethinking of global financial flows. Up until now there has not been a standardised or consistent approach to defining and measuring impact.
SDG Impact initiative has been designed to help meet this challenge. It is a United Nations-led initiative to enable private sector investment by providing investors and businesses with the clarity, insights, and tools required to support and authenticate their contribution toward achieving the SDGs.
SDG Impact aims to catalyze up to $1 trillion annually in private sector investment to achieve the SGDs. These efforts would contribute towards helping create some $12 trillion per year in economic opportunities and 380 million new jobs, which the Business Commission on Sustainable Development estimates would be possible from investing in the SDGs.
On May 15, 2019, the Business for Peace Foundation, an official partner of this initiative, will bring the SDG Impact initiative forward in the Nordic region with a springboard event in Oslo, rallying top investment firms in the region. Nordic institutional investors are widely regarded as world-leading in ESG and impact investment, with much influence globally. EQT, Summa Equity and LGT have taken a lead in the Nordic region on developing the initiative. CEO Christian Sinding of EQT, and Chair Anna Ryott and CEO Reynir Indahl of Summa Equity will speak at the Nordic Springboard about why they support the initiative. They will be joined by CEO Sverre Thornes of KLP and CEO Jan Erik Saugestad of Storebrand Asset Management, in a panel discussion, moderated by Ylva Lindberg, Director of Norfund.
“Sustainability is, and has always been, a central part of EQT. Through our involvement in this new SDG Impact initiative, EQT will be able to influence the way that SDG-alignment is measured and develop our own impact approach further. For EQT, the initiative is particularly exciting, as we are taking a stronger position on climate change and thematic investing in solutions with positive societal impact,” says Christian Sinding, CEO, EQT.
The springboard is part of the 2019 Business for Peace Summit, an annual event that brings together business leaders, investors, leaders of NGOs, politicians, academics, and civil society from all over the world to discuss the practical actions needed in order to make substantial and sustainable business contributions to society. This year, the Summit’s topic is “Navigating in a World of Imbalance”, with the SDG Impact Springboard event as a
cornerstone.
“Summa Equity was amongst the first Private Equity firms to commit to the SDGs, aligning our investment and value creation strategy with the SDG framework. We are proud to be part of the SDG Impact initiative and challenge the whole private equity community to invest in the SDGs. It helps companies show stronger growth and returns, while having lower risk,” says Anna Ryott, Chair of the Board, Summa Equity.
Ryott and Denton are part of the ten-person Steering Group, chaired by Steiner, which was created to signal markets and drive adoption. The Steering Group will play a critical role in the global effort to authenticate SDG-enabled investment and represents an influential cross-section of industries from the global North and South that collectively influence investing around the world.
The SDG Impact springboard event in Oslo will gather Nordic investor support and build momentum to an upcoming global event in Stockholm.
ABOUT BUSINESS FOR PEACE
Business for Peace is an international foundation based in Oslo that aims to support, inspire, and recognise global business leaders who are positively changing the face of business. At the centre of the Foundation’s activities is the annual Oslo Business for Peace Award, conferred to exceptional individuals who exemplify the Foundation’s concept of being businessworthy: ethically and responsibly creating value both for both business and society. An independent Award Committee, consisting of Nobel Laureates in peace and economics, selects the Award Honourees each year. The Foundation also hosts an annual Summit bringing together business leaders, investors, leaders of NGOs, politicians, academics, and civil society from all over the world to discuss the practical actions needed in order to make substantial and sustainable business contributions to society.
For more information, interview requests, or photos please contact:
Alison Uttley, alison@businessforpeace.org
ABOUT UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in approximately 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. UNDP helps countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. This is a critical time for the world. At UNDP, we see this period as a huge opportunity to advance the global sustainable development agenda. In September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change.
For more information, interview requests, or photos please contact:
Eirik Talleraas, Head of Office, UNDP Nordic Representation Office, eirik.talleraas@undp.org
Christina LoNigro, Press Secretary, UNDP Executive Office, christina.lonigro@undp.org
