The Role of Financial Markets in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Exploring the role of financial markets in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this book focuses particularly on the banking and insurance sectors and the capital market. Magdalena Ziolo brings together expert contributors to discuss the role of financial institutions in implementing environmental and social goals, including green finance, socially responsible investing, and social inclusion through microfinance. Presenting the key challenges of implementation and the actions taken by financial markets to support the SDGs, the book looks at the SDGs, sustainable development, and environmental, social and governance ESG risk as interconnected factors. Chapters highlight how financial markets can help green the economy through employing good practices for sustainability, including transparency, sustainable reporting and avoiding greenwashing. Attention is paid especially to the direct and indirect impacts of banks on the SDGS, covering banks operational, investment and financial activities. With a forward-looking approach, this book is ideal for students and scholars focusing on sustainable finance, ESG and the implementation of the SDGs more broadly.