Our demand for more and more clothes is bad news for the planet. New, nature-derived materials promise a lighter footprint – but can they convince price-conscious shoppers, investors and retailers to take a leap into the unknown?
Sir Ronald Cohen, the impact investing pioneer, is pre-launching an artificial intelligence avatar which discusses his ideas and reflections. We put it to the test.
Data in the Social Impact Finance Barometer 2025 reveals investments in ‘solidarity finance’ grew by nearly €2bn compared with 2023, but its share of total household savings fails to increase substantially.
UK’s development finance institution announces broader remit, big jump in climate investing, and commitment to gender finance. Plus, Google’s Diana Layfield to become first-ever female chair.
The UK is weary of social impact bonds. But, says Dr Chih Hoong Sin, exciting innovations in other parts of the world should inspire the country of their birth to take a fresh look at what they can achieve.
UK’s largest employee-owned business announces new fund with environmental charity Hubbub to back “trailblazing innovations” – with grants open to social enterprises, charities and academic bodies.
Impact investors must welcome newcomers by talking about the problems that can be solved – rather than putting them off with too much focus on the financial instruments. We report from EVPA’s Investors for Impact Forum in Porto.
Scrap business rates, wrest power from local government and shake up the global economic system – just some actions needed to revitalise UK communities devastated by Covid-19. We report from the Social Enterprise Futures conference.
Global leads on diversity, equity and inclusion – including from eBay and Bad Robot – tell the Ashoka Changemaker Summit that no-one is an expert and learning from diverse groups and people's lived experiences is the only path ahead.
When companies embrace social purpose, the boundaries with their foundations become blurred. As new research shows their “impact integrity” is at risk, is it time to do away with them altogether?
The Glasgow talks – and hundreds of fringe events – are wrapping up today, but what next for business and finance? Hear what some ministers, CEOs and impact investing leaders have to say, in our pick of the fortnight's quotes.
PLUS: More COP26 headlines you may have missed; Esmee Fairbairn’s £10m impact investing pot; impact unicorns; blended finance rebound, Marshall Institute's £50m accelerator, a skills impact bond for India, Ecosia's new VC fund, and more.
