Our economy faces two defining challenges. If business in partnership with government cannot adapt the global economy to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and generate inclusive growth that lifts people out of poverty and expands the middle class, the negative consequences will be vast.
Companies have traditionally treated sustainability as a peripheral issue, focusing narrowly on the way they manage their impact on the environment. We don’t have the luxury of that limited perspective any more. The evidence of climate change is clear. And, people in both developed and developing countries are questioning the ability of their economies to reward their hard work.
There is not only an urgent need to act, but also a powerful business and investing case to do so. That gives me hope for what we can achieve and conviction that financial institutions can play a critical role. Over the next 10 years, Goldman Sachs will target $750bn of financing, investing and advisory activity to nine areas that focus on climate transition and inclusive growth.