# History of Sustainable Finance

### Key dates timeline

**1700s - John Wesley's novel idea**

The founder of the Methodist movement, is credited with the first conscious investment practice. Urging followers to refrain from making investments in 'sin stocks' such as weapons and tobacco.

**1971 -  Pax World Fund launched**

To avoid supporting companies contributing to the Vietnam War, the first sustainable mutual fund is launched.

**1988 - Institutions Created**

After NASA's James Hansen told a congressional hearing that there was a 'real warming trend', climate change attracted global attention. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are established.

**1997 - Agreements in Japan**

The Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is signed by 192 states.

**2006 - Principles in Place**

The United Nations' Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is launched to encourage further development of sustainable investing.

**2007 - Impact Investing**

The term 'impact investing' is coined by the Rockefeller Foundation. Putting a name to investments that intend to generate both a financial return and social impact.

**2009 - A Network is Born**

The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) is created to promote investing with the aim of creating a social benefit.  

**2015 - Frameworks in France**

At COP 21 the Paris Agreement is signed by 196 parties agreeing to meet certain future climate goals.

**2020 - The Largest Asset Manager Acts**

Larry Fink, founder and CEO of BlackRock, wrote in his annual letter that companies generating more than 25% of revenues from coal production will be removed from their active portfolios.

**2021 - Study Shows Sustainable Finance is Significant**

The Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (GSIA), found that 35.9% of total assets under management were sustainable as of 2020.

**2022 and beyond - You Can Make an Impact**

The industry is still growing and getting more attention everyday. Could you be a key part of this exciting future?

### Our favourite video

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIJty5JvPEU>" %}
Source: Swiss Learning Exchange
{% endembed %}

### If you want more

{% embed url="<https://www.morningstar.in/posts/57694/history-sustainable-investing.aspx>" %}

{% embed url="<https://thegiin.org/about/>" %}


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