In this episode, I am joined by Harald Walkate. Harald isn't just another voice in the sustainability space. He's a seasoned navigator, guiding us across the complex landscape of ESG and impact investing.With 25 years of experience, he's seen both sides of the table, working with major asset managers and corporations. This unique perspective fuels his passion for bridging the gap between good intentions and real-world impact. He's a champion of blended finance, a powerful tool that blends public and private resources to tackle urgent challenges like climate change and poverty.Born in Leiden, Netherlands, Harald Walkate studied law at Leiden University, later venturing into corporate law at Allen & Overy. After obtaining an MBA from the University of Chicago, Harald moved into business development at Bally Total Fitness, then shifted to Aegon, focusing on mergers and acquisitions.At Aegon, he became the Global Head of Responsible Investment, leading to a move to Natixis in 2019 as the Head of ESG. In 2022, he founded Finding Ways Ahead, and in 2023, he initiated Route 17, an SDG funding & blended finance advisory firm.In this enlightening conversation, we explore Harald's insights on ESG, impact investing, and the often misunderstood realm of blended finance.Show notes: https://sri360.com/podcast/harald-walkate/About the SRI 360° Podcast: The SRI 360° Podcast is focused exclusively on sustainable & responsible investing. In each episode, I interview a world-class investor who is an accomplished practitioner from all asset classes.Connect with SRI360°:Sign up for the free weekly email updateVisit the SRI360° PODCASTVisit the SRI360° WEBSITEFollow SRI360° on X/TwitterFollow SRI360° on FACEBOOKKey TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Harald Walkate’s career journey (02:17)How impact investing can make a difference (14:54)Appreciation of the global financial markets (21:43)Topics most misunderstood in ESG and impact investing (26:27)ESG investing in the US (30:24)The best evidence that the EGS toolkit enhances return (34:35)Measuring the real-world impact of ESG investing (40:14)Sustainable finance vs financing sustainability (43:38)Blended finance for sustainable investing (01:04:51)Additional ResourcesHarald Walkate’s LinkedInRoute17 WebsiteFinding Ways AheadOther Links MentionedAllen and OveryBally Total FitnessAegon Asset ManagementNatixisCenter for Sustainable Finance and Private WealthUniversity of Chicago Booth School of BusinessFinancial Conduct AuthorityMarc AndreessenRobert W. van ZwietenJean Raby10 things every investor should know about Net Zero

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