Clarity AI: On average, companies in SDG funds sell less than 1% of their products and/or services in the countries that need them the most
Clarity AI, the leading global sustainability tech platform, released new research today that highlights a significant gap between the intentions of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) funds and their impact in countries with the greatest need for sustainable development. On average, companies in SDG funds sell only 1% of their products and services in these countries.
The SDG Index, a valuable tool for evaluating countries' progress towards the SDGs, demonstrates that different countries are at varying stages of advancement towards achieving the SDG targets. The index highlights the need for increased efforts and resources in countries with lower scores, which are further away from achieving the SDGs. The findings of the new research, which is based on an assessment of the SDG Index, emphasize the urgency for investors and asset managers to align their investments with areas requiring the most attention.
"The goal of SDG funds is to invest in companies that contribute to solving the SDGs, but our research shows a disconnect between investment focus and country needs," said Lorenzo Saa, Chief Sustainability Officer at Clarity AI. "To maximize the impact of SDG funds and effectively contribute to global development, it is crucial for investors and asset managers to gain visibility into the areas where companies are selling their products and services that contribute to the SDGs."
Furthermore, the distribution of revenues generated by companies in SDG funds does not align with the needs of countries lagging in SDG progress. On average, companies in SDG funds receive more than 75% of their revenues from countries in the top quartile of the SDG Index, indicating a flow of funds to already well-performing nations. Alarmingly, even the fund with the highest average revenue from countries in greatest need has only 5% of its index-included companies' revenues coming from these countries.
Strategic and responsible investment in SDG funds has the potential to generate greater positive impact and drive transformative change. By aligning investments with countries striving to achieve the SDGs, investors can contribute significantly to global sustainable development.
About Clarity AI
Clarity AI is a sustainability technology platform that uses machine learning and big data to deliver environmental and social insights to investors, organizations, and consumers. Clarity AI’s capabilities are an essential tool for end-to-end sustainability analysis related to investing, corporate research, benchmarking, consumer ecommerce, and regulatory reporting. As of June 2023, Clarity AI’s platform analyzes more than 70,000 companies, 420,000 funds, 201 countries, and 199 local governments, which represents more breadth than any other player in the market. One way Clarity AI delivers on its mission to bring societal impact to markets is by ensuring its capabilities are delivered directly into clients' workflows through integrations with partners like BlackRock - Aladdin, Refinitiv an LSEG business, BNP Manaos, CACEIS, and Simcorp. Additionally, Clarity AI's sustainability insights reach more than 150 million consumers across more than 400,000 merchants on the Klarna platform. Clarity AI has offices in North America, Europe, and the Middle East, and its client network manages tens of trillions in assets and includes companies like Invesco, Nordea, BlackRock, Santander, Wellington, and BNP Paribas.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230717904467/en/
Contact information
Clarity AI Media
Edelman
clarityAI@edelmansmithfield.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Pioneering Impact Strategy, Record EM Sustainable Finance (EMSF), Celebrates Its Fourth Anniversary With Strong Outperformance Since Inception1.7.2025 09:00:00 EEST | Press release
Record Currency Management, in partnership with UBS Wealth Management, is proud to celebrate the fourth anniversary of its pioneering Emerging Market Sustainable Finance (EMSF) Strategy. Operating at the intersection of impact investing, Emerging and Frontier Market currencies and private placements, the strategy offers investors an opportunity to achieve financial returns, alongside measurable impact. Since inception, EMSF has grown to over U$1 billion in AUM and delivered positive returns of +18.7% since inception. The strategy has significantly outperformed both USD and local currency EM Debt benchmarks with around 30% lower volatility - reaffirming that investors need not compromise between financial returns and measurable impact. By taking currency risk across a wide universe of emerging and frontier currencies, EMSF helps MDBs and DFIs raise local currency funding. This allows borrowers in Emerging Markets to receive funding in local currency, eliminating FX risk. Simultaneously,
Lazard Welcomes Klaus H. Hessberger as Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Financial Sponsors Group1.7.2025 08:50:00 EEST | Press release
Lazard, Inc. (NYSE: LAZ) today announced that Klaus H. Hessberger has been appointed to the firm as Managing Director, Global Co-Head, and Head of Europe for Lazard’s Financial Sponsors Group, based in London. Adam Cady, previously Lazard’s Head of Large-Cap Financial Sponsor Coverage North America in New York, has also been named Global Co-Head of the Global Financial Sponsors Group, running the team together with Klaus. These appointments reflect Lazard’s expanding connectivity and partnership with alternative asset managers, which continues to be a principal area of focus and a major source of future growth for the firm globally. Lazard’s recruiting efforts are also a key contributor to the firm’s long-term growth goals, with ongoing success in attracting top tier talent globally. “Klaus is a recognised leader in the global financial sponsor community with an impressive track record of advising global alternative asset managers and leading teams of highly experienced industry profes
Usercentrics Report Reveals: As Concern Over Data Use Grows, Transparency Becomes the Number One Driver for Building Trust1.7.2025 08:28:00 EEST | Press release
59% of consumers are uncomfortable with their data being used to train AI systems, according to a new report from privacy tech leader Usercentrics. But it isn’t AI itself that worries consumers - it’s the lack of clarity around how their data is used. Rather than rejecting innovation, people are demanding greater transparency and control. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250630843237/en/ How much do consumers trust companies in various industries when it comes to data collection and use? According to the State of Digital Trust 2025report, based on insights from 10,000 frequent internet users across Europe and the United States, digital privacy has become a strategic imperative. “We’re not witnessing a breakdown in trust, but a reset in expectations,” says Adelina Peltea, CMO at Usercentrics. “In the age of AI, giving users real control over their data isn’t just about compliance - it’s how brands build loyalty.
Galderma Announces Departure of Its Chief Financial Officer1.7.2025 08:00:00 EEST | Press release
Galderma Group AG (SIX:GALD), the pure-play dermatology category leader, today announced that Thomas Dittrich, Chief Financial Officer, will be leaving the company to pursue another senior executive opportunity outside the organization. “We thank Thomas for his financial leadership and many contributions during his time at Galderma. He played a key role in establishing the financial discipline, operational readiness, and strategic clarity that will continue to guide us forward. We wish him every success in his next role and remain focused on further accelerating Galderma’s strong growth – from category leadership to becoming a true powerhouse in dermatology.” FLEMMING ØRNSKOV, M.D., MPH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GALDERMA Thomas Dittrich will remain with the company as Chief Financial Officer through Q2 2026 to ensure a seamless transition through the close of the 2025 fiscal year. A successor will be announced in due course. “I want to thank Flemming, our Board of Directors, our investor
Transition Industries Signs Strategic Agreements for the Pacifico Mexinol Project, the Largest Standalone Ultra-Low Carbon Chemical Production Facility in the World30.6.2025 21:30:00 EEST | Press release
Transition Industries LLC, a developer of world-scale, net-zero carbon emissions methanol and green hydrogen projects in North America, held a signing event for an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract with the consortium of Samsung E&A Co., Ltd. (Samsung E&A), Grupo Samsung E&A Mexico, S.A. de C.V., and Techint Engineering and Construction for the Pacifico Mexinol project located in Ahome, Sinaloa, Mexico, which is contingent upon the fulfillment of customary conditions precedent and obtainment of all required approvals. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250630940954/en/ MAIRE group’s technology division NextChem, through its subsidiary KT TECH SpA, also signed a Basic Engineering, Critical and Proprietary Equipment Supply Agreement with Samsung E&A in connection with its proprietary NX AdWinMethanol®Zero technology supply to the project. Transition Industries is jointly developing the Pacif
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom