How One Harvard Instructor Is Making the Sustainable Investment Case

How One Harvard Instructor Is Making the Sustainable Investment Case

Author: Paul Ellis April 13, 2025 Duration: 25:23
“What do investors want?” is the primary question motivating Graham Sinclair, my guest today and one of the pioneers in sustainable investing: from launching the PRI (Principles in Responsible Investment) into emerging markets in 2007, to working with iconic firms like KLD, IFC, Parametric and AIG on Wall Street. We sat down to talk about Sinclair’s course at Harvard Extension School, “Making the Sustainable Investment Case,” which is one half of the Sustainable Finance micro certificate and a benchmark for candidates in the Masters of Sustainability program. New for 2025 is a two-part deep dive on Nature x Investment, drawing on the cutting-edge work of Irina Likhachova in biodiversity and fixed income. Sinclair is once again using “Fund Labs” projects for hands-on experiential learning with four specialist sustainable investment managers: Bill Page + Liz Simmie + Garvin Jabusch + Christofer Halldin. Listeners are in for a treat as Sinclair offers a unique perspective on what investors want.

Hosted by Paul Ellis, The Sustainable Finance Podcast is a resource for investors and financial advisors looking to move beyond the buzzwords and understand the practical realities of integrating environmental, social, and governance principles into portfolios. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a series of direct conversations with the people shaping the industry-from asset managers and analysts to corporate leaders and policy experts. Each episode digs into how sustainability metrics are being applied, what constitutes genuine impact versus marketing, and where the real financial opportunities and risks lie. You'll hear detailed discussions on evolving regulations, new investment vehicles, and the tangible data driving decisions. By focusing on these candid interviews with pioneers, the podcast provides a clear-eyed view of a rapidly changing landscape, offering actionable insights for anyone navigating the intersection of capital and responsibility. Tune in for a grounded perspective that equips you to participate in this critical shift within modern finance.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Sustainable Finance Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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In 2016 the founding partners at Cibus Capital merged their first-hand experience of the impacts of the current food production industry on the planet and its people. By combining their skills in finance and agriculture…
Introducing a Compostable Pod Cup of Coffee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The Story of Nepal’s First Private Equity Firm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:21
Tim Gocher’s adventures in Nepal started 20 years ago when he left his job in London’s financial markets. Gocher is founder and CEO of Dolma Fund Management, the first international private equity firm to focus on empowe…
The Future of Sustainable Finance Markets in Latin America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:33
The sustainable finance markets in Latin America are developing rapidly, and Sandra Carrillo Hoyos has led more than 50 projects funded by multilateral banks and focused on renewable energy, construction, water managemen…