Moderated by Tatler Hong Kong deputy editor and Tatler Homes Hong Kong editor Andrea Lo, the conversation covered tools needed to get started in the space, and impact investing pitfalls to watch out for.

As more and more investors realise that investing with purpose isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s good for the bottom line too, industry executives are seeing a massive rise in impacting investing. “Private wealth as a segment has grown 15 per cent in Asia,” said Yung. “And we know for certain that the sub-trend is impact investing. But there is still a lot of myth-busting to be done,” especially in Asia, where stories about investing with purpose aren’t as mainstream as in the west.

Whether it’s supporting a cause that helps single mothers or working with an organisation that supports underprivileged children, the panellists agreed that there was no shortage of ways to make the world a better place. However, the issues that deter most businesses and private investors from allocating funds to impact investing included financial return and risk. 

“Measurability [of impact investing] is such an abstract concept,” said Lam. “We tend to see more growth in environmental impact companies because [their] impact is more measurable through carbon footprint and waste.” Law added: “Let’s face it: reallocating money from something that shows a year-on-year return to something that bears risk, takes time and requires expertise is not second nature to people, and that’s why [impact investing] hasn’t fully taken off.”

The bigger goal for the panellists was to see a world in which leaders create ecosystems where the attitude of creating social good is embedded into the company culture and its employees’ way of thinking. “It’s hard work; you have to prioritise it [for a better future],” said Yung.

“These days we hear a lot of buzzwords like ESG and sustainability investing,” said Liang. “What it comes down to is how you use your resources, both tangible and intangible, in a way that will create a positive impact on society.”

Though the road is long and full of challenges, Lam, Law and Yung urged the audience not to get discouraged. “We’re all in this together. When we think about huge problems like climate change, we sometimes feel like what we’re doing doesn’t matter, but it does,” said Liang. “Know you are not alone in your quest to make this world a better place.” Other nuggets of wisdom offered by the panellists included reflecting on what really matters and setting small, attainable goals on your impact investment journey. “Don’t feel obligated to save the world. Pick one cause that you truly care about and stick to it,” said Yung.