Sustainable finance critical for sustainable development goals in Asean

WITH little time to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Asean needs to work harder. The group is still behind in its targets around Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12). The growth of sustainable finance offers a chance for investors to provide the capital needed to bring the SDG objectives within reach.

In Asean, the agriculture, forestry and fishery sectors are particularly flush with opportunities to reach multiple SDGs by supporting growth, raising livelihoods and protecting natural ecosystems. But it will require concerted action to do so at scale. Growth in sustainable finance can deliver the positive results without negatively impacting habitat and communities.

But has Covid-19 adversely impacted opportunities? Arguably the pandemic has renewed the focus on thematic finance, giving yet another boost to opportunities available. There has never a better time than now to achieve the SDGs.