The world is undergoing a global transformation that affects every individual as well as businesses and economies. Climate change, rising poverty and inequality, scarcity of resources, global warming and corporate governance failures have raised awareness of more sustainable systems and made sustainability a major concern in today’s world. Sustainable finance, which requires the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into financial decision-making processes, is just one of these concerns. While activities in the traditional view of finance have been profit-driven, this new approach does not only aim at financial success, but seeks to align financial markets with the broader goals of society by acting responsibly for the environment. Moreover, it is crucial to take into account not only the environment and climate, but also social, ethical and governance dimensions to transforming the entire financial system into a more sustainable one, especially to attract more investments in sustainable industries, companies or start-ups, thus diverting attention from destructive areas. This book aims to explore the challenges, opportunities and future prospects of sustainable finance by highlighting the role of key players in financial systems such as financial intermediaries, investors and governments in shaping the future of finance, as well as the importance of sustainable financial products such as ESG-oriented instruments and green bonds/loans. With this book, we hope to contribute to and shed light on the ongoing discussions on building a more sustainable global financial system.
