The paper “Categories of Sustainability-related Financial Products – A Proposal in the Context of the SFDR-Review” was developed in collaboration between the Sustainable Finance Research Group at the University of Hamburg represented by Prof. Timo Busch, Advanced Impact Research (AIR) and F.I.R.S.T e.V..

The paper “Categories of Sustainability-related Financial Products – A Proposal in the Context of the SFDR-Review” contributes to the ongoing SFDR review by proposing a revised product classification system for sustainability-related financial products. It suggests three main categories – ESG products, transition products, and sustainable products – and integrates impact-aligned and impact-generating dimensions for sustainable and transition products.

Read the full paper here.

The paper “Impact Investing – A Literature Review on the Effectiveness of Investor Impact Mechanisms” was developed in collaboration between the Sustainable Finance Research Group at the University of Hamburg represented by Prof. Timo Busch, Advanced Impact Research (AIR) and F.I.R.S.T e.V.

It explores the potential of different investor mechanisms to generate company-level impact and provides a systematic basis for evaluating their effectiveness. Drawing on existing literature and applying the concept of investor impact potential as an analytical tool, the paper assesses stewardship, capital allocation, and field building for their effectiveness, outlining the potential for each mechanism depending on whether their deployment is direct or indirect. It contributes to existing research by collecting, integrating, and evaluating investor mechanisms based on their investor impact potential.

Read the full paper here.

Advanced Impact Research (AIR) contributed to the position paper “Impact Investing in Infrastructure – Turning Potential into Practice: What does it take to implement Impact Investing in Infrastructure?”, developed by representatives of the Bundesverband Alternative Investments e.V. (BAI) and the Bundesverband Impact Investing e.V. (BVII).

The position paper demonstrates how impact investing can be operationalised within infrastructure and aims to provide a foundation for reflecting on opportunities and challenges in implementing impact investing in this asset class. Serving as a practical resource for investors and decision-makers, the paper encourages the integration of impact-oriented strategies into infrastructure projects, providing concrete case studies for renewable energy, battery storage, energy efficiency, social infrastructure and more.

Read the full paper here.

Over the past few months, Advanced Impact Research (AIR) and numerous representatives of the Bundesverband Alternative Investments e.V. (BAI) and the Bundesinitiative Impact Investing e.V. (BIII) have developed the position paper “Impact Investing in Alternative Investments – why private market investments are particularly suited for impact-generating investments”.

The position paper begins by taking stock of key market concepts and terminology and outlines the main characteristics of impact investments. It also discusses the types of impact products and, in a main section, the relationship between impact investments and regulation and sustainable investments in accordance with Art. 2 (17) SFDR. We hope that this position paper will provide a basis and a starting point for discussion with investors and internal departments.

The whitepaper “Transition Products: Conceptual Clarity & Implementation Guidance” was produced in collaboration between Climate & Company and Advanced Impact Research GmbH (AIR). It provides comprehensive insights into the key design features and suggestions for minimum criteria for transition finance products. At a time when climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges, the financial sector has a crucial role to play in promoting sustainable practices. The paper provides valuable insights and guidance on how to implement financial products that support a transition to a greener economy.

Particular attention is paid to the definition of clear terminologies and consistency with existing sustainability regulations. The aim is to provide investors with clear guidance. The whitepaper aims to contribute to the current discussions on the categorization of financial products with sustainability features in the EU, the UK and beyond.

You can find the complete whitepaper here.

The “Swiss Sustainable Investment Market Study 2024” was published by Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) in collaboration with Advanced Impact Research GmbH (AIR). The study provides comprehensive insights into the current status and trends of sustainable investments in Switzerland.

The report shows that sustainable investments are unfortunately increasing again after the decline in 2023. It presents concrete examples and case studies that illustrate the benefits of sustainable investments.

You can find the complete report here.

In 2023, the European Sustainable Investment Forum (Eurosif), the University of Hamburg and Advanced Impact Research GmbH revised the methodology for market studies on sustainability-related investments and put impact at the core. The new methodology proposes four different categories of sustainability-related investments that reflect the “ambition level” of the investments to actively contribute to the transition towards a sustainable economy. The categories are: Basic ESG, Advanced ESG, Impact-Aligned and Impact-Generating.

You can read the whole article here.