From purpose to action: impact investment in 'Moments Estel·lars'

Impact investment, which in addition to an economic return seeks a social return and improvement of the planet, will be the protagonist of the next edition of the cycleThe New Barcelona – Stellar Moments, dedicated to giving visibility to those areas in which the Catalan capital excels and which are drivers of the projection of the Barcelona brand. The session will take place onMonday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m., in the CASA SEAT auditorium,and will feature the participation of two prominent experts on the subject: Esther Sarsa, Partner for Sustainability at Miura Partners, andBelén Viloria,Executive Director of B Lab Spain and of the B Corp movement. Under the mottoFrom purpose to action. The fundamental role of business for a sustainable future, with Sarsa and Viloria we will talk aboutthe transformative power that companies have to drive change,establish a new economic model and lead the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the UN. As always, the day will be led by the journalist and professor from UPF-BSMToni Aira. With the collaboration ofCASA SEAT, Barcelona Global, Must Media GroupandGiny Barcelona.To attend as an audience to this meeting organized byThe New Barcelona Postit is essential to book a ticket in advance. To get one, completely free of charge, click on this link.Why are companies the ones that must lead the way to a sustainable future and contribute to solving major global challenges? How can the investment and venture capital sector help companies integrate sustainability? How has impact investing evolved in recent years? What role does Barcelona play in this area? What is the current focus of impact investing? What is a B Corp company? These are some of the questions we will ask the next guests ofStellar Moments, in a global context characterized by increasingly complex political, social, economic, and environmental challenges that place companies and their impact on the environment in the spotlight. "We live in a crucial moment in which companies not only have the opportunity, but also the responsibility, to lead the transition towards a sustainable future", explain the sector sources consulted to prepare this session. "In line with the United Nations Global Compact and its Forward Faster initiative ---they add---, we are already late in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, so companies have to step on the accelerator to advance the 2030 Agenda and contribute through their activity to solving global challenges, such as climate change, among others."

In Europe, regulatory pressure to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into business strategy is increasingly evident. In this regard, companies must adopt more transparent and sustainable practices, not only as an ethical commitment but also as a necessity to adapt to a constantly evolving regulatory environment. Good examples of this are the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, the Green Taxonomy, and the imminent reporting standards that affect all companies.

"It is essential to recognize the transformative power that companies have to drive change and lead by example. From large corporations to SMEs and family businesses, all can play a crucial role in the transition towards sustainability," say sector experts.

Investment or private equity firms like Barcelona-based Miura Partners stand out for their ability to catalyze this transformation. By holding controlling shareholding positions, they have the unique ability to influence management and business decisions, facilitating the transition towards more sustainable and responsible practices, either by fostering responsible and sustainable management in performance or by investing in companies whose activity primarily contributes to the achievement of the SDGs.

In parallel, organizations such as the BCorp movement and B Lab Spain play a fundamental role in paving the way and supporting companies in this transition and contribution to solving global challenges. Through their guides, certifications, and collective actions, they offer practical tools and guidance for companies to adopt more sustainable and responsible business models, aligned with the highest standards of social and environmental performance, maximizing the creation of social, environmental, and economic value for all their stakeholders. In Spain, there are already more than 270 B Corp companies in practically all autonomous communities ---Catalunya stands out with 102 committed companies---, although more than 10,000 companies use the so-called B Impact Assessment.

In summary, this session of the Moments Estel·lars cycle not only offers an opportunity to reflect on the role of companies as drivers of sustainable development, but also to explore concrete strategies to move from purpose to action.

Esther Sarsa, Sustainability Partner at Miura Partners, has over 15 years of experience in this field. She joined Miura in 2021 after working at Danone Group (Director of Sustainability and Public Affairs), The Boston Consulting Group, Teach For All, and the Empieza Por Educar Foundation. She has been a pioneer in numerous high-impact programs in areas such as environment, education, gender equality, nutrition, and poverty.

Esther holds an MBA from IESE Business School and UCLA Anderson School of Management, a Master's in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge, an Executive Program From Manager to Board Member from IESE Business School, and is a Telecommunications Engineer. Additionally, she is a member of Women Action Sustainability, an advisor at Roots for Sustainability and Ship2B, and a professor of the Master's in Competitive Social Transformation at the Complutense University of Madrid, among others.

Belén Viloria, Executive Director of B Lab Spain and of the B Corp Movement, is passionate about knowledge and culture, curious and committed to impact and social transformation, to which she dedicates both her personal and professional life. With a degree in Law and Business Administration from ICADE, after nearly 20 years in large corporations, especially in the field of mass consumption, and more than 10 years designing strategies, positioning, and new business models with social impact, she has been working with social entrepreneurs and organizations focused on social and cultural transformation, building projects for communities of change, social innovation in companies, and collaborative networks. Before joining the B Corp movement, she designed and led the strategy for transformation, repositioning, and re-engagement with society for the Spanish Red Cross.

Convinced that knowledge transforms environments, communities, and people and must reach all corners of the world, since 2012 she has been a member of TED, also a member of TED's Global Impact Network project with Skoll, and a TEDx ambassador worldwide. She also contributes to other high-impact global social movements such as the Climate Reality Project, as a climate leader.

Member of the Advisory Board of the Efficient Habitat Cluster of AEICE and Member of the Advisory Board of the Tramontana Institute, Jury of the Princess of Girona Awards, Jury of the FUNDOS Awards for Social Innovation and the Mashumano Foundation Awards among others.

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