The platform is the result of a collaboration between the Scotland-based Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with Aegon already committing an investment of £100m to the new venture. 

The SDG Financial Products Platform will make an important contribution from the private sector to the additional c. $2.4 trillion of investment per annum needed by 2030 to deliver the SDGs. 

The SDGs are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals which are a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all people and the world by 2030". 

Run from Edinburgh, the platform puts Scotland is at the centre of a green and sustainable financial system, with a global reach into markets far beyond the UK.

Aegon is the first platform partner with a pioneering Global Sustainable Sovereign Bond Fund. 

The fund incorporates the sustainability characteristics of sovereign bonds into an investment strategy. Aegon is investing an initial £100m of Aegon UK’s Universal Balanced Collection (UBC) in the new fund.

GEFI has been driving change in the global financial system for over a decade and the platform demonstrates GEFI’s belief that practical action and private sector led solutions are required to deliver the SDGs. 

Financial products listed on the platform are prequalified by GEFI. Only financial institutions and products that demonstrate a genuine authenticity and commitment to the 2030 SDG agenda will be listed. 

The platform is being showcased in Glasgow today as part of the COP26 finance day, and the key partner, Aegon, has had the opportunity to present their product to global finance leaders both from Scotland and abroad. The platform will grow the ecosystem of SDG aligned financial products and new partners from different asset classes are invited to apply for listing by visiting the platform website.

Natalie Jackson, Executive Manager at GEFI, said: “We are proud to launch our SDG Financial Products Platform at COP26, putting Scotland at the centre of a global green and sustainable financial system. 

“This takes us one step closer to our ambition of unlocking the finance needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. 

“We encourage more financial institutions to build a COP26 legacy by aligning financial products with the SDGs.”

Brunno Maradei, Head of Responsible Investing at Aegon Asset Management, said: “We are delighted to be selected by GEFI as a leading example of sustainable investing.

“We are proud to work with them and our partners at Aegon UK to promote the new fund at COP26. 

“The alignment of sovereign portfolios with the global sustainability agenda facilitates responsible capital allocation, which has positive long-term social and environmental impact.”