Paul Clements-Hunt has changed the way global investment thinks and acts.
In 2004, while at the United Nations he coined ESG. In 2024, global ESG assets top U$ 28 trillion and are expected to reach over $40 trillion by 2030, equivalent to 35% of the projected U$140 trillion in assets which will be managed then.
With over three decades, as an entrepreneur, an advisor to Prime Ministers, to United Nations Secretary Generals, and business leaders, Paul has played a fundamental role defining and driving responsible investment and sustainable finance worldwide.
Paul is a widely acclaimed keynote speaker, entrepreneurial change-maker, and strategist. He advises governments, the largest companies in the world, and charities on how to manage risks and optimise impact as new U$ multi-trillion sustainability markets evolve.
During his tenure as a United Nations official (2000-2012), Paul managed, UNEP Finance Initiative, a unique and innovative partnership between the UN and, in year 2000, some 300 banks, insurers, and investors. Building his initial team from a staff of 2 to 25 over a decade, UNEP FI triggered a series of game-changing sustainable finance and responsible investment initiatives. An internal UN report viewed the Partnership under Paul’s leadership as one of the most dynamic and innovative units in the global institution. The ecosystem Paul’s work catalysed now numbers more than 6,000 institutions backing UN principles and partnerships, including 112 stock exchanges
As part of this, Paul played a key role in the creation (2002-2006) and launch in April, 2006, of the UN Principles for Responsible (PRI) Investment. PRI, with a staff of 220 is now backed by 5450 investment institutions globally representing U$ 121 trillion in assets. Paul was a Founding PRI Board member for 6 years (2006-12).
Paul works with investors, governments and companies globally to create and deliver on their ESG strategies through The Blended Capital Group which he founded in 2012. He also set up businesses delivering clean energy and basic services to last mile African communities. His Charitable work has included Chairing the French NGO, SOS Sahel (2016-2020), focused on food security across the 11 Sahelian countries, and he currently is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the UK Charity Future-Fit Foundation (2019-present).
Since August 2022, Paul has also been a senior advisor on sustainability for the London head-quartered law form Mishcon de Reya LLP where he works with Board members.