Insights

Beyond ESG: Why impact investing is gaining ground in an era of changing regulation and investor sentiment

As investor expectations and regulations change, a new phase of responsible investing is taking shape. Impact investing is gaining attention as investors seek measurable social and environmental results alongside financial returns. This shift reflects a broader recognition that profitability and purpose can work together, driving more accountable and transparent investment practices.

What is catching the attention of tech investors in 2025?

Our recent due diligences on tech SME targets reveals a clear shift: sustainability is no longer a checkbox, it’s a strategic lens shaping investment decisions, tech transactions, and long-term positioning.

Slicing and dicing: getting to the “so what?” of your portfolio’s ESG data

As ESG data becomes more embedded in investment processes, the focus is shifting from simply collecting metrics to understanding what they actually mean. It’s no longer enough to report on emissions, diversity, or governance scores - investors want to know: “So what?”

Decoding California’s climate mandates

The $4 billion paradox: when responsible investing discovered defence

Maria Merry del Val, Director – ESG and Responsible Investing For years, defence spending sat firmly outside the remit of responsible investment. Now, that boundary is blurring. The very sector once synonymous with exclusion lists is now attracting billions in sustainability -labelled funds, creating a paradox that investors can no longer ignore.

ESG due diligence highlights covering Q1 and Q2 2025

Amita J, Practice Lead, ESG Due Diligence; Kumail Haider, Global Head of Due Diligence; Amita Jain, Lead of Due Diligence APAC; and Joris Olde Rikkert, Lead of Due Diligence UK. Our latest ESG due diligence work shows clear momentum across deals in the first half of 2025. In this period, we delivered 87 assessments, added to a total of more than 1,000 over the past 15 years, and identified over 430 opportunities for value creation. Our global coverage extended across the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia, with each review aligned to client needs and leading ESG frameworks.

The limits of one-size-fits-all sustainability rules

The European Commission sought to simplify sustainability reporting. Instead, it may have created a bigger challenge.

Sustainability-linked lending: a market dividing into two clear paths

The sustainability-linked lending market has delivered over €300 billion in annual issuances for five consecutive years reflecting its importance in corporate finance (ING, 2025). The financial benefits for borrowers are clear: sustainability-linked structures can lead to reduced interest rates and improved access to capital. According to a recent report by Bain & Company and the Principles for Responsible Investment (“PRI”), sustainability-linked lending is a key driver of sustainability-linked value creation. At exit, it contributes to 6% in value increase of private market assets, reinforcing the business case for ESG integration (PRI, 2025).

Why accuracy and auditability matters in ESG reporting

ESG reporting has changed how businesses convey their value to the world, going from being a nice-to-have endeavour to a basic business necessity as it has become clear that the accuracy and auditability of ESG data are not only technical demands; they are the cornerstones of long-term corporate performance.