The systematic incorporation of environmental, social, and governance considerations alongside traditional financial analysis in investment decision-making. ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance, referring to the three central factors used to measure sustainability and societal impact of a potential investment. Assessing ESG helps private equity and venture capital firms determine how a company performs on issues like climate change, DEI (diversity, equity & inclusion), board diversity, executive compensation, transparency, etc. Strong ESG performance signals responsible and ethical business practices. Considering ESG factors in the investment process aims to improve returns and align with stakeholder values. Poor ESG can indicate underlying risks. Private equity/VC firms are increasingly prioritizing ESG amid mounting pressure from LPs, regulators, and the public to invest sustainably. ESG metrics provide a more comprehensive view of an investment beyond just financials.
As private equity adapts to a prolonged high-cost environment, investors are being forced to rethink how they source deals, create value, and deploy capital. Ahead of her appearance at 0100 Europe (April 21–23), we spoke with Geraldine O’Keeffe, Partner at EQT Healthcare Growth, about how one of Europe’s leading investment platforms is transiting today’s market dynamics—across healthcare, technology, and beyond.
