Sustainable finance put to the test by private equity and venture capital
The 15th edition of Sri Week is getting underway. The relationship between private capital and sustainable development is one of the event’s key themes
Who is funding the transition of businesses? And what tools can be used to reduce environmental impact without losing competitiveness? These are some of the key issues at the heart of the 15th edition of the SRI Weeks, an event dedicated to sustainable and responsible investment, running until 12 November. Organised by the Forum for Sustainable Finance, the event features around twenty sessions taking place in Rome, Rimini (as part of Ecomondo) and online. The programme involves institutional investors, banking foundations, insurance companies and pension providers, as well as businesses and third-sector organisations.
Private capital and sustainable development
The relationship between private capital and sustainable development is a year-round topic. On 4 November, a webinar will explore the opportunities and challenges of investment through venture capital and private equity – instruments designed to support innovative businesses and long-term industrial projects. Project selection, performance measurement and risk assessment remain crucial.
Another issue concerns small and medium-sized enterprises grappling with decarbonisation. The webinar on 5 November, ‘SMEs and the net-zero challenge: benefits, barriers and tools’, examines the conditions needed to support them on this journey. For smaller firms, the transition entails costs, requires technical expertise and makes access to credit crucial: factors that affect competitiveness.
Institutional investors and the third sector
The spotlight is on institutional investors, with three events in Rome on 11 and 12 November. The research examines the sustainable investment strategies of foundations, insurance companies and pension providers, asset management, and the role of ESG criteria in decision-making.
The programme also covers the financing of third-sector organisations, including a comparison of the credit and investment instruments available, and an update on the latest European regulatory developments in the field of sustainable finance. The challenge is to finance the transition without losing competitiveness.
