The ESG Initiative at the Wharton School

I'm excited to share my latest research from the Wharton Impact Investing Research Lab, in collaboration with Katherine Klein and Tyler Wry: "Operationalizing Impact: An Analysis of Impact Investing Fund Practices." We analyzed survey data from 222 impact funds worldwide to examine how these organizations balance their dual commitments to financial returns and social impact. We found that impact funds tend to emphasize impact slightly more than financial returns in their communications. But there's a significant shift toward prioritizing financial concerns in training, expertise valuation, and compensation structures. Is this "say impact, do financial" pattern a result of "impact washing" or inherent measurement challenges? Our research suggests it's likely a combination, raising important questions about alignment between stated goals and operational realities in the impact investing field. #impactinvesting #socialimpact #responsibleinvesting #esg #wharton https://whr.tn/41EokfF

Thanks to Michael Baum Johnny Bowman and Zach B. from The Yope Foundation for sharing their perspective on impact investing and system-level change with students involved in our co-curricular training programs as well as those working on social ventures with Tyler Wry . We look forward to your next return to your hometown of Philadelphia and The ESG Initiative at the Wharton School! #WhartonESG

Yesterday, we had a great visit with The ESG Initiative at the Wharton School, where we engaged with students passionate about impact investing. Huge thanks to Witold Henisz and his team for hosting a thoughtful discussion on the evolving landscape of impact investment and innovation. Some key topics we explored: ?? Local vs. Global Investing – Striking the right balance between community-driven and international opportunities. ?? Political Climate & Investment – How shifting policies shape capital allocation and risk assessment. ?? Entrepreneurial Mindset in Investing – How investors can think like innovators to understand forces of change and impact. Excited to continue these conversations as we scout the next generation of founders! yope.org/apply Michael Baum Johnny Bowman Zach B. Tyler Wry

In the second of our new series of original research primers, titled Moving ESG Investing from Values to Value, Witold Henisz, Vice Dean of the ESG Initiative explores the historical roots of ESG investing and how they shaped three of the most widely used ESG strategies today: exclusionary screens, portfolio optimization and tilting and ESG-integration into broader smart-beta strategies.?This primer also examines the ongoing transition from values to value, highlighting how active ownership and ESG integration are driving the next stage of ESG investing’s evolution.?Learn more: whr.tn/4g7O7lv To explore the full first batch of ESG Initiative research primers, powered by our world-class faculty and research to help readers navigate key challenges and drive meaningful change within their organizations, visit this link: whr.tn/4hHT06v The Wharton School #WhartonESG #ResearchPrimer #ESGInvesting

With the growing complexity of impact measurement in impact investing, it can be challenging to get your bearings. I've put together a primer that offers a high-level overview of the key concepts, frameworks, and considerations in impact measurement. Check it out below, and be sure to take a look at the other valuable primers available on the Wharton ESG Initiative website! #ImpactInvesting #ESG #SocialImpact #ImpactMeasurement

Are you a Penn student passionate about sustainability and looking to turn your interests into impactful career opportunities? Join us virtually on 2/21 for an interactive session with campus partners to learn how to gain valuable experience via:? ? Student clubs? ? Internships? ? Leadership opportunities? ? Funding resources ?? Friday, Feb 21 | 12:00–1:00 PM | Virtual? ?? Register on Handshake! bit.ly/eventPSO This event is presented in collaboration with Penn Career Services, Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, The ESG Initiative at the Wharton School, Penn Environmental Innovations Initiative and The Water Center at Penn

The growing field of impact investing, which now encompasses over $1.5 trillion USD in assets under management worldwide, relies on impact measurement to assess the social and environmental effects of investments. In the first of our new series of original research primers, Maoz (Michael) Brown, Head of Research at the ESG Initiative explains, “Impact measurement allows investors to understand if their capital is truly making a difference, helps in decision-making, and promotes accountability.” This primer, titled Impact Measurement in Impact Investing, provides an overview of impact measurement, covering fundamental concepts, key approaches, and practical considerations for implementing an effective impact measurement system.?Learn more: whr.tn/4jcyGvc Our first batch of research primers, powered by our world-class faculty and research to help readers navigate key challenges and drive meaningful change within their organizations, are available here: whr.tn/4hHT06v The Wharton School #WhartonESG #ImpactMeasurement #ResearchPrimer #ImpactInvesting

The latest issue of Wharton Magazine features research and insights on data from Vice Dean of The ESG Initiative at the Wharton School, Witold Henisz, and Faculty co-director of the Wharton Climate Center, Sarah Light. Witold Henisz discussed his book,?Geostrategy by Design, and how business leaders are facing a new set of questions to mitigate risk in global companies’ operations on the Ripple Effect podcast. Listen here: whr.tn/4jHvpEy Electrifying everything is an attractive pathway to meeting the U.N. goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, based on a?Penn Energy Week panel?moderated by Wharton legal studies and business ethics professor Sarah Light. Learn more: whr.tn/4jKX739 Sarah Light will be moderating a panel on The Ethics of Personal Energy Consumption Choices on Tuesday, February 11, as part of the next Penn Energy Week, which is?free and open to the public: whr.tn/4hNDR38 Read the full Data article in Knowledge at Wharton here: whr.tn/4hqpzpE The Wharton School #WhartonESG #GeostrategybyDesign #ElectrifyingEverything #PennEnergyWeek

Today Arthur van Benthem, faculty co-director of the ESG Initiative's Wharton Climate Center, discusses unlocking green tech at home on Knowledge at Wharton's Ripple Effect podcast. Listen here: whr.tn/rippleeffect! The Wharton School #WhartonESG #GreenTech #Innovation

Join me, Tensie Whelan, Andrew C., and Mel Mackin for this Ceres, Inc. sponsored Webinar examining how research at the The ESG Initiative at the Wharton School can inform public policy. Thursday, February 27 @ 2pm ET. Register at https://lnkd.in/eXFu4Jpj