Why ESG is Failing Sustainable Development

Financial markets are the principal means for financing socioeconomic activity and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Governments and financial market regulators define the parameters and incentives within which market participants make investment and financing decisions and operate, while the providers of capital decide on capital allocation and influence business behavior.  Seeking infinite rewards, our finite economic system aims to maximize financial value and confuses ESG financing with serving society’s needs.  To meet their ESG strategy, the stakeholders must instead understand the urgent need to achieve the SDGs and facilitate the SDG-targeted financing of the transition for socioeconomic sustainability.