Philanthropy

Family entrepreneurs attending the leading 23rd European Family Office Forum are putting their money where COP26 politicians’ mouths are by sustainably investing in transformational ventures and gaining healthy returns.

The essential and influential forum will be held by Campden Wealth on 3-4 November. The exclusive gathering returns to its in-person format in London for its 23rd edition.

Family philanthropists agree the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated their sustainable investments, not only driven by their re-evaluation of wealth with purpose priorities, but also by changing consumer expectations and gainful market returns.

Family principals engaged in sustainable investing welcome the rising interest among private wealth holders in investing to tackle the climate crisis, but some warn real world action must follow and insist families can take the lead in positive change.

Some families said they see environmentally sustainable investing as a way for private and public investors to collaborate. Others see the discipline as a core family business value, or as part of a broader trend in environmental, social and governance investing over centuries.

Wealthy families, foundations and individuals with an estimated total net worth of $328 billion are accelerating their interests in sustainable and impact investing to an unprecedented level, propelled by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate crisis.

An overwhelming majority surveyed by Campden Wealth in 2021 said the transition to net-zero emission was the “greatest commercial opportunity of our age”. Investors were aligning their portfolios with their climate-conscious commitments and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.