Gold Standard has recently opened applications for investment funds to join the two-year pilot phase of new impact fund certification requirements. These requirements have been developed to support serious sustainable funds in measuring, managing, and maximizing the sustainable development impact of its investments.
Gold Standard CEO Margaret Kim said:
“The world urgently needs trillions of dollars to achieve the sustainable development goals, and the majority of the capital must come from the private sector, including impact funds. The new fund requirements from Gold Standard bring best practice in impact measurement, management and maximisation, to support fund managers in delivering credible contributions to the goals.”
Gold Standard requirements ensure best practice impact investing that builds on IFC safeguards, the UNDP Equity Standard, OECD Blended Finance approaches and best practice in the market – providing support from initial strategy design, through project screening, feasibility, to implementation and exit.
Impact Fund Certification certifies that a fund will deliver on its sustainable strategy, going beyond the more traditional environmental social, governance (ESG) model, which is focused on risk avoidance, and providing evidence of real contributions to climate and sustainable goals. Application of the fund requirements minimises non-delivery risks through the measurement of the actual outcomes at the level of the investee.
The new requirements focus on process delivery and are part of Gold Standard’s growth in the sustainable finance arena. Gold Standard works with investors and national governments supporting sustainable project development, to create optimal enabling conditions to attract climate finance, and with impact investors to de-risk funds through robust measurement and reporting of impacts.
With up to five places for participating in the piloting of the fund requirements, this is an opportunity for fund managers to become recognized leaders. The fund and impact management team will gain insights into best practice impact management, measurement and maximization, using the full suite of Gold Standard tools at subsidized costs. Interested parties can find more information and details on the application process here.
