Research Handbook of Investing in the Triple Bottom Line (Introduction)

Abstract

The Research Handbook of Investing in the Triple Bottom Line deals with the growing trends in sustainable finance and investing where social, environmental and financial measures are employed to evaluate the behavior of economic actors and institutions. Composed of 20 topical and high-quality chapters, the Handbook offers a special focus on, among others, impact investment, finance and sustainable development, socially responsible firms, the performance of sustainable firms, and financial instruments connected with sustainability issues. Overall, findings and reflections presented in these chapters are obviously indicative of an increasing awareness and application of the triple bottom line principle at various levels (firms, markets, and economies). It appears however that several challenges exist and range from misconduct behavior to regulatory framework and efficient financial innovations. We hope that market protagonists, and particularly investors, fund managers, firm executives and regulators, will find this Handbook useful for planning their actions and strategies.