Investing for good. Investing for Impact.

You may have heard of impact investment as a means of making a positive and direct contribution to the environment or society.

It’s the favorite of Gen Z -- the most sustainability-conscious generation ever and one that has put the sustainability revolution into hyperdrive.

With Gen Z now accounting for the largest demographic on Earth (nearly 35% of global population), impact investment has never been more in demand than now. And the Zoomers are in the driving seat.

But what really is impact investment and where does Kazakhstan stand?

While ESG - shorthand for environmental, social, and governance - considers corporate risks and opportunities in the investment process, impact investment seeks to actively achieve positive outcomes, alongside of course the conventional objective of receiving financial gains.

Literally, making a statement with your wallet but also your values.

A great example of this in action is the Austria-based Impact Hub Vienna, which began as a single community and now brings 15+ years of entrepreneurial activism to more than 65 countries around the world.

Kazakhstan boasts a tremendous potential in impact investment.

First of all, more than half of the country's population is under 29. Like their global peers, our youngsters are prepared to spend more on sustainable products than any other group, while also influencing other demographics to act more sustainably.

Secondly, Kazakhstan’s Strategy 2060 – the national blueprint that defines our carbon neutrality goals – requires huge amounts of investments, particularly in low-carbon technologies, energy efficient manufacturing, electrification of our power grids, switch to EVs, and so on.

This roadmap envisions that net investment in technologies for low-carbon development is estimated to require US$ 610 billion by 2060. Can you start to see the potential here?

The right investments now can provide both short-term benefits, such as jobs and economic growth, and long-term benefits, which include decarbonization and sustainability.

In true Gen Z style, this is not W or L (Win or Loss) but a Dank (excellent) approach: A win for the wallet, and a win for the values.