In Impact Investor, President of GSG Impact, Sir Ronald Cohen, says advancing impact investment and outcomes-based public spending is “compelling and urgent,” calling on G20 governments to embed impact across finance and policy. 

“The world is facing an economic and social crisis, making the case for the advancement of impact investment and outcomes-based public spending models compelling and urgent.” said Sir Ronald Cohen.

What works

He points to the world’s first Social Impact Bond in the UK in 2010, which reduced reoffending and paid investors “a return as a result of the social outcome delivered – reducing the risk and cost to the UK Treasury”.

Call to governments

“I am calling on G20 governments to encourage, accelerate, and embed the development of impact investment in all its forms by establishing pay-for-outcomes models and mandating impact accounting by companies and investors.”

Measurement agenda

Through the creation of impact accounting, governments can measure how companies deliver positive social and environmental impacts alongside profits.

IMPACT: Reshaping capitalism to drive real change

Sir Ronald launched the updated edition of IMPACT: Reshaping capitalism to drive real change at the Global Education Forum hosted by former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown in New York, during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The second edition adds a chapter on how an impact approach can generate solutions across investment, business, government, and philanthropy and will be published in November.