Giving Compass' Take:

• In this podcast, ImpactAlpha takes a look at impact investments being made across the globe in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, hoping to see which ones have the greatest growth potential.

• Some of these investments were detailed in this post, but the podcast is worth a listen as it goes into greater detail. Where is the most money being spent? The clean energy funding, such as the vehicles launched by The Climate Finance Lab, seem especially intriguing.

• Want more on impact investing? There's a roadmap right here.

By finding inventive ways to make social inclusion and environmental regeneration pay, innovative financing models are “internalizing positive externalities.”

Too wonky? Just say “impact alpha.”

In Indonesia, for example, the Tropical Landscapes Finance Facility has issued a $95 million bond that will pay for wildlife-friendly, socially inclusive and climate-sensitive rubber production in two provinces. The bond was supported by a design grant from Convergence, which has provided $5 million in funding for the design of 15 such blended finance vehicles. Three of the projects have now raised a total of $116 million.

The Climate Finance Lab, a private-public partnership, has launched more than two dozen financial vehicles that have mobilized more than $1 billion. New candidates include the Green Aggregation Tech Enterprise to streamline renewable energy mini-grids in sub-Saharan Africa and the Residential Rooftop Solar Accelerator to lease systems to Indian households that lack the credit history to purchase them. Financing for Low-Carbon Auto Rickshaws will lend money for low-carbon and electric rickshaw drivers, lowering emissions and helping drivers gain independence from renting.

Listen to the podcast and read more about financial innovations by David Bank at Medium