Accelerating Impact Investments for Climate and Nature in Asia 2025

Foreword As we approach a critical juncture in the fight for the future of the ecosystems upon which we depend, it is increasingly clear that we must accelerate efforts to create and implement solutions to the climate crisis with urgency and resolve. The need for collective action across all sectors has never been more pressing. To overcome the barriers that have hindered progress, we must promote collaboration and innovation – both in the development of the practical solutions required and in the ways we finance them. Asia plays a pivotal role in the global climate challenge. With its rapidly growing economies, expanding populations and rich (but increasingly vulnerable) ecosystems, the region holds the key to determining the success or failure of global climate efforts. The stakes are high, not just for Asia but for the entire world. This is a shared challenge that requires a unified global response. The burden of addressing it should not fall solely on the shoulders of this region: it is a collective responsibility.Impact investing has emerged as a promising tool to mobilize the necessary capital for climate action. It offers a powerful way to attract diverse stakeholders, manage risk and drive innovation. While significant strides have been made in Europe and North America, where the potential for profitable investments that deliver positive environmental and social outcomes is widely recognized, the market for impact investing is currently in its early stages in Asia. However, if accelerated and widely adopted in the region, the potential benefits for both climate and nature are immense. By harnessing the collective power of the financial sector, we can confront climate change head-on and ensure that the investments we make today lay the foundation for a sustainable world for generations to come. In facing this greatest of crises, we are confident that our capacity for innovation will prove to be our strongest ally.Poman Lo Founder and Chairperson, Institute of Sustainability and TechnologyMildred Tan Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) Accelerating Impact Investments for Climate and Nature in Asia March 2025 Gim Huay Neo Managing Director, World Economic Forum Accelerating Impact Investments for Climate and Nature in Asia 3