Global Launch of the Impact Principles

IFC launches impact investing principles  

Sixty global investors came together to adopt the Operating Principles for Impact Management—a new market standard for impact investing in which investors seek to deliver measurable, positive impact for society alongside financial returns.

The Principles bring greater transparency, credibility, and discipline to the impact investing market, addressing concerns about “impact-washing.”

IFC developed the Principles in collaboration with leading asset managers, asset owners, asset allocators, development banks, and financial institutions, including a three-month public stakeholder consultation.

Impact investing represents a significant opportunity to mobilize additional resources from the private sector to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris climate goals.

An IFC report launched on April 8 estimates that investor appetite for impact investing is as high as $26 trillion. This includes $21 trillion in publicly traded stocks and bonds, and $5 trillion in private equity, non-sovereign private debt, and venture capital.