ACTIONS FOR:

Academics

Academics will play a key role in achieving this strategic plan and realizing our vision of a future where all investments contribute to positive social and environmental impact. There are a number of recommended actions in this Roadmap that they are especially well suited to advance, outlined below. 

1. identity

Share Best Practices for Impact Measurement, Management, and Reporting

What

Develop and promote clear best practices

WHY

To address the current fragmentation of approaches and lay a foundation for analysis, rating, and comparing impact across investments within a given theme

who

Field building organizations with consultants, supported by a broad swath of leading investors

when

Continue ongoing efforts, and test and adopt best practices throughout the industry over the next three to five years

2. Norms and expectations

Update Fundamental Investment Theory

What

Refresh Modern Portfolio Theory and capital asset pricing models to incorporate impact alongside risk and return

WHY

To underpin the practice of integrating impact into investments

who

Academics, with support from funders and input from practitioners

when

Over the next five years

5. education

Train Finance Professionals

What

Develop training programs on impact investing for financial industry professionals, such as wealth advisors and investment managers at large financial firms

WHY

To translate client demand into capital deployed by growing advisors’ awareness of impact investing opportunities

who

Industry associations of finance professionals (to develop third-party offerings), large financial firms (to develop in-house trainings) and business schools (to develop MBA curricula)

when

Over the next few years