*Designing a sustainable financial system: Development goals and
socio-ecological responsibility*
*Editors:*
Thomas Walker, Ph.D., Concordia University Thomas.Walker@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Stefanie Kibsey, M.E.S., Concordia University Stefanie.Kibsey@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Rohan Crichton, Ph.D.(c), Concordia University Rohan.Crichton@xxxxxxxxxxxx
*CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS*
You are invited to submit a chapter for an edited book titled ‘*Designing a
sustainable financial system: Development goals and socio-ecological
responsibility’ *to be published by *Palgrave Macmillan* and featured in a
book series by the *United Nations' Future Earth *initiative and the* United
Nations Environment Program (UNEP)**.* Below you will find more information
regarding the proposed book, the editors, and the submission procedures.
*ABOUT THE BOOK*
Our current financial system is a legacy from a time when our understanding
of socio-ecological systems, natural resource management, and environmental
degradation was limited. Utmost importance was placed upon economic growth
and development, with little consideration for the integrity of the
environment, sustainability, or the wellbeing of future generations.
In recent years, especially following the perceived success of the Paris
Climate Agreements (COP21), new ways of thinking and doing business have
emerged among academics, practitioners, and policymakers. In the minds of
many, the financial system is no longer a closed, isolated system; it has
evolved into a larger socio-ecological system where finance, social
wellbeing, natural resources, and planetary health are highly interlinked.
In fact, it is often argued that our world cannot move towards
sustainability, address climate change, reverse environmental degradation,
and improve human wellbeing without aligning the financial system with
sustainable development goals.
Academics, policy makers and practitioners are currently developing a
variety of new tools and methods to include environmental and social
factors in the way we make and evaluate business decisions; however, many
of the proposed ideas and approaches have been highly controversial. Our
book aims to add to the discourse on the design of a
sustainability-oriented financial and economic structure by exploring how a
system can be designed that a) is environmentally and socially responsible,
b) is aligned with planetary boundaries, c) manages natural resources
sustainably, d) avoids doing more harm than good, e) is adaptable to
changing conditions, and f) is fair and accessible. We define a
“sustainability-oriented financial system” as a financial system that is in
line with larger sustainable development goals that promote social and
environmental wellbeing for current and future generations.
This transdisciplinary book will explore the latest tools and methods
being developed and studied by the academic community and by policymakers,
with a specific focus on the practical applicability of the proposed
solutions. Ultimately, the book will make the case for the financial
sector’s contribution to sustainable development.
We invite critical contributions from leading academic experts,
policymakers, and practitioners in related fields to provide insightful and
practical analyses of the role of the financial system within the larger
socio-ecological system. We encourage contributions that reflect cutting
edge research and the latest trends in the transition towards a more
sustainability-oriented financial system.
*POTENTIAL TOPICS FOR CHAPTER CONTRIBUTIONS*
1. *Why the Current Financial System is not Sustainably-Oriented:*
1. What is a sustainability-oriented financial system? How do we define
such a system? What is the connection between the financial system and
sustainable development?
2. What are the main issues that must be addressed and why?
3. Why is input required from different disciplines within the academic
community and from practitioners?
2. *A More Sustainability-Oriented Financial System:*
1. How is the financial system part of a larger socio-ecological system? How
is finance related to nature and society?
2. What are natural capital and ecosystem services? Can and should we
put a price or value on nature?
3. How are financial system stability and sustainability related? How
is a greener economy affected by stranded assets and transition risk?
1. *How to Make the Transition:*
1. Which tools or mechanisms are being developed to transition to a more
efficient and sustainability-oriented financial system?
2. How should the transition occur?
3. Where is innovation happening?
4. What are the pros and cons, risks and benefits, and strengths and
weaknesses of different tools and methods?
5. What are the latest trends in research? What can transdisciplinary
research contribute?
6. What are the latest trends in business? What research and
knowledge is needed by practitioners?
7. How is regulation changing? How do different regulations compare?
What is the influence of private codes of conduct on a sustainable
financial system?
8. What are the specific needs in various geographic locations,
developed and developing societies, and different ecosystems? How do
global and local approaches differ?
1. *A Fair and Inclusive Financial System:*
1. What are the main problems and criticisms of the tools and methods
being implemented in the transition of the financial system?
2. How do we prevent greenwashing?
3. How do we make sure the financial system is fair, just, equitable,
and socially inclusive? How do we make sure the poor and
vulnerable are not
left behind? How can we design a sustainability-oriented financial system
that benefits everyone?
1. *Case Studies:*
1. Examples, empirical evidence, and case studies of what has worked or
has not worked so far.
1. *Moving Forward:*
1. Reflections on the current state of the financial system, trends in
research, and trends in business practices.
*GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS*
This book will consist of contributions from experts from both the academic
and practitioner communities at the interface of finance and
sustainability, and is thus intended for readers in different fields and
industries. The intention is for this book to be used as an academic
textbook for students and scholars in business, social sciences, and
environmental studies. In addition, it aims to inform regulators,
policymakers, and industry leaders by serving as a best practice manual.
Submissions should be written in a non-technical writing style to allow
for widespread application. Additionally, the call encourages contributions
that are transdisciplinary. As such, chapters that incorporate new
concepts, tools, and/or theories – potentially including those from other
disciplines or fields – are welcome. We will be reviewing submissions with
an open mind to new approaches, especially those that push the boundaries
in addressing critical problems moving forward.
Submitted chapters should be original and exclusively prepared for the
present book. No part of the article should be published elsewhere.
Chapters must not exceed 7000 words (including all references, appendices,
biographies, etc.), must use 1.5 line spacing and 12 pt. Times New Roman
font, and must use the APA 6th edition reference style.
*Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit abstracts of no more
than 1000 words, together with a CV, to Stefanie Kibsey (Editor) at *
*Sustainable.Finance@xxxxxxxxxxxx* <Sustainable.Finance@xxxxxxxxxxxx>* by
October 7th, 2016.*
Authors will be notified about the status of their proposals and will be
sent complete chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be
submitted by January 2017.
There are no submission or acceptance fees for submitted manuscripts.
*IMPORTANT DATES*
Abstract and CV submission deadline – *October 7th, 2016*
Selection of abstracts and notification to successful contributors – *October
28th, 2016*
Full chapter submission – *January 16th,* *2017*
Revised chapter submission – *April 1st, 2017*
*THE EDITORS*
* Thomas Walker* holds an MBA and PhD degree in Finance from Washington
State University. Prior to his academic career, he worked for several years
in the European consulting and industrial sector at such firms as Mercedes
Benz, Utility Consultants International, Lahmeyer International, Telenet,
and KPMG Peat Marwick. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and
five book chapters, and has been an active reviewer for well over 40
articles. In addition, his work has been featured in the Harvard Business
Review and in Germany's Harvard Business Manager. In February 2015, Dr.
Walker was appointed as Interim Director of the David O’Brien Centre for
Sustainable Enterprise. Among other things, he has served as Laurentian
Bank Professor in Integrated Risk Management (2010-2015), chair of the
finance department (2011-2014), on the steering committee of the Montreal
chapter of the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association
(PRMIA), and as member of Concordia’s senate finance committee.
*Stefanie Kibsey* is the program coordinator for the David O’Brien Centre
for Sustainable Enterprise. She holds an interdisciplinary Master of
Environmental Studies degree in Environment & Resource Studies from the
University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University. Ms.
Kibsey is also part of a Development Team, in collaboration with the United
Nations Future Earth initiative, to create a ‘Knowledge-Action Network’ of
academic, practitioner, and policymaking experts that will facilitate
co-designed solutions to aligning the financial and economic system with
the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This collaborative project, along
with the growing interest in sustainable finance world-wide, are the
inspiration for the proposed edited book.
*Rohan Crichton* is a federal public servant and a faculty member at the
Telfer School of Management. Mr. Crichton is also completing his PhD at
Concordia University, where he specializes in examining how strategic human
resource management can be leveraged to improve organizational human and
environmental sustainability efforts. He has written and published several
reports for the United Nations and is an active manuscript reviewer for
multiple associations including the Administrative Science Association of
Canada. Mr. Crichton has over 15 years of experience working and consulting
for private, public, and international organizations. Part of this work
has included advising organizations such as the United Nations Environment
Programme, the Federal Government of Canada, and other levels of government
on topics related to sustainable living and sustainable best practices.
The David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise (DOCSE) develops
sustainable practices through academic research, programs, and outreach
within the community.
www.concordia.ca/DOCSE
<http://www.concordia.ca/jmsb/research/centres/david-obrien.html>
