Home ImpactSustainabilityRisk assessment Risk assessment At Finnfund, we believe that conducting business in a responsible manner is not only a wise decision but also beneficial. Responsible and environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable business practices can boost the operational and financial performance of a company, enhance employee wellbeing and commitment, and bring a competitive advantage. These practices also improve a company’s risk management capacity, helping to mitigate unexpected risks and impacts, enhance cooperation with stakeholders, and strengthen the social licence to operate. Our sustainability approach Finnfund’s overarching Sustainability Policy guides the assessment and management of sustainability within investments. It covers environmental, social and governance issues, as well as the impact created through sustainable business practices. The Sustainability Policy is accompanied by several thematic statements on, for example, human rights, gender equality, climate and energy, and responsible tax, as well as adopted internal guidelines and tools to support implementation. We actively support and assist our investees in developing their sustainability policies and processes. Sustainability in Finnfund’s investment process At Finnfund, every investment has three criteria: impact, profitability and sustainability. Each investment is assessed on the basis of these criteria before the investment decision, and the investment is assessed and monitored over the entire life cycle. Finnfund investee companies must commit to our sustainability requirements. Environmental sustainability, social responsibility and corporate governance (ESG) are incorporated into every stage of our investment process, from identification of potential investments to ongoing monitoring. Sustainability as part of Finnfund’s investment process. Finnfund concentrates on the key ESG impacts, risks, and opportunities relevant for each project. The more significant the risks and anticipated adverse impacts, the stricter the requirements become and the more closely Finnfund monitors each project. Finnfund applies specific procedures for environmental and social due diligence, management, and monitoring, as well as corporate governance, corruption, and taxation matters. All are integrated into the investment process and codified in our internal guidelines. We adopt different procedures for direct and indirect investments, as well as for different financing instruments. We actively support and assist our investees in developing their sustainability policies and processes, and we monitor them to ensure they take corrective action if discrepancies are found between their practices, commitments, and the actual situation on the ground. International standards, frameworks, and best practices Finnfund requires its investees to comply with Finnfund’s Exclusion list, applicable host country laws and regulations, and relevant international obligations, including the ILO core labour standards and conventions on basic terms and conditions at work. In addition, all Finnfund investments associated with medium to high inherent environmental and social risks and adverse impacts are required to achieve compliance with international standards on environmental and social management and performance, over a reasonable time period. The nature of a project and its associated negative impacts and risks define which standards apply to it. The principal environmental and social risk management framework defining Finnfund clients’ responsibilities for managing their environmental and social risks is the IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability (IFC PS) with the associated World Bank Group general and industry-specific Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines. Other relevant international standards and principles include, for example, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which also create a basis for our human rights management approach, as well as various internationally recognised certification standards, such as the ISO management system standards for environmental and social management, occupational health and safety and information security management, as well as sector-specific certifications such as FSC for sustainable forest management, Global GAP for good agricultural practices, and SA8000 for social accountability, among others. Finnfund is also a signatory to the Investor Guidelines for Responsible Investing in Digital Financial Services. It requires its members to comply with the responsible digital finance guidelines and client protection principles. As part of our approach on climate, nature, and biodiversity, Finnfund is also committed to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Finnfund’s TCFD and TNFD reports are published annually as part of Finnfund’s Annual Report. IFC Environmental and Social Performance Standards Categorisations for environmental and social responsibility Finnfund’s requirements for investees Bases for responsibility include, e.g Host country regulations IFC Performance Standards and guidelines Applicable ILO conventions and core labour standards Depending on the project, other sector-specific standards and practices (e.g. FSC, RSPO, Global GAP) and/or management system standards (e.g. ISO 14001, SA8000) Finnfund’s policies and policy statements Finnfund’s exclusion list Requirements in practice are, e.g. Environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) Environmental and social action plan (ESAP) & implementation Management system, incl. monitoring and reporting systems Sufficient resources, staff and operating budget for the implementation of responsibility Continues dialogue and cooperation with local communities throughout the investment life cycle Grievance mechanism for stakeholders such as employees and local communities Monitoring and reporting to Finnfund Monitoring and auditing visits Read more Policies and statements Our work in practice Impact assessment Impact stories Investment criteria and process Impact results News News 05 March 2026 Finnfund’s Economist Tangeni Shatiwa: A weaker dollar is steering global investors toward emerging markets International investors are now allocating funds to emerging market (EM) assets at the fastest… News 23 February 2026 Finnfund’s Hanna Loikkanen: Impact investing captivates private investors The allure of impact investing among private investors is surging, with an increasing number… News 19 February 2026 Finnfund expands support for digital infrastructure and climate action in South Sudan with follow-on investment in CREI Finnfund, the Finnish development financier and impact investor, makes a follow-on investment in Communication… News 29 January 2026 Finnfund’s Uusihakala: “Fixed broadband is the key to tackling poverty in developing countries” The three digital divides The Coverage Gap refers to people living in areas without… News 28 January 2026 Finnfund strengthens support to women entrepreneurs in Pakistan through Kashf Foundation Finnfund has announced a follow-on loan of 10 million US dollars to Kashf Foundation… News 26 January 2026 Finnfund’s Jussi Tourunen: “Energy solutions impact our planet’s future—Planetary boundaries now guide investment decisions” Investing in energy has become an increasingly central theme for development finance institutions such… News 22 January 2026 Softlogic Life sets up growth roadmap with long-term capital from OP Finnfund Global Impact Fund I and Norfund Softlogic Life Insurance PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading life insurer, has secured a landmark 15… News 21 January 2026 Finnfund announces new investment in Indian green financing Finnfund has announced a 12 million US dollars senior secured loan facility to Mufin… News 20 January 2026 Finnfund invests in Transvolt Mobility to support the electrification of heavy commercial vehicles in India Finnfund, the Finnish development financier and impact investor, announces a 15 million US dollar… Blog 08 January 2026 Juho Uusihakala From connection to opportunity: Why investing in digital infrastructure matters Access to affordable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but a prerequisite for… Scroll left Scroll right