This Week in ESG and Impact Investing

The recent ADP National Employment Report reveals that private sector employment increased by 77,000 jobs in February 2025, marking the smallest gain since July 2024 and falling significantly short of the anticipated 140,000 jobs.  Sector-Specific Performance: • Goods-Producing Sector: Added 42,000 jobs, with construction contributing 26,000 and manufacturing 18,000.  • Service-Providing Sector: Gained 36,000 jobs. Notably: o Leisure and Hospitality: Increased by 41,000 jobs. o Professional and Business Services: Added 27,000 jobs. o Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: Decreased by 33,000 jobs. o Education and Health Services: Declined by 28,000 jobs. o Information Sector: Reduced by 14,000 jobs. Implications for Unemployment Rates: Given this slowdown, the unemployment rates for February 2025 are projected as follows: • Overall U.S. Unemployment Rate: Expected to rise from 4.0% in January to 4.2%. • Black Unemployment Rate: Projected to increase from 6.4% ...

Creative Investment Research has revised its February 2025 unemployment forecast ahead of the March 7, 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, incorporating worsening economic conditions reflected in the latest Atlanta Federal Reserve GDPNow projections. The U.S. economy is now expected to shrink by 2.8% in Q1 2025, a sharp downward revision from -1.5% just days earlier, signaling deeper-than-expected economic contraction and potentially accelerating job losses across key industries. The latest data show that personal consumption expenditures growth has fallen to 0.0%, indicating a near standstill in consumer spending, while private fixed investment growth has dropped to 0.1%, reflecting a sharp pullback in business investment. These factors are expected to have a direct impact on the labor market, leading to a more pronounced rise in unemployment than initially forecast. Revised Unemployment Forecast for February 2025 1. Overall Unemployment Rate Likely to Rise to 4.2% An inc...

Germany’s recent election sends a strong message that cannot be ignored. While Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc winning the largest share of the vote was expected, the real issue is the significant rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which secured over 20 percent of the vote. This outcome reflects more than just political shifts; it highlights growing support for policies that threaten the inclusive and progressive direction that Germany and Europe have been working toward. The AfD’s surge, particularly in eastern regions, shows deep societal divisions driven by fears surrounding migration and economic uncertainty. However, rather than offering meaningful solutions, the AfD relies on xenophobic and nationalist rhetoric. This should concern anyone who values democracy and human rights. The rise of such a party demonstrates that mainstream politicians have failed to address key issues like inequality and social cohesion, leaving space for dangerous narratives to take h...

On February 24, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Washington, D.C., for high-stakes discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump. The visit came on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that continues to shape global security and economic policies. While both leaders expressed a shared desire for peace, their approaches differed significantly, particularly regarding the role of Europe and the economic implications of ending the war. 1. The Ukraine Peace Process Macron emphasized that any peace agreement should be fair and verifiable, rejecting a rushed settlement that could leave Ukraine vulnerable to future aggression. He insisted on a sustainable resolution that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and ensures long-term stability in Europe. Macron also reiterated France’s support for increased European defense spending, urging European nations to take greater responsibility for their own security rather than relying solely on U.S. military support....

2024 년  12 월 ,  대한민국은 전례 없는 큰 위기에 직면했다 .  윤석열 대통령의 계엄령 선포로 인한 정치적 불안과 제주항공 여객기 추락 참사가 연이어 발생하며 ,  환율과 주식시장을 비롯한 주요 경제 지표에 심각한 혼란이 초래되었다 .  본 글은 이러한 위기가 경제에 미친 영향을 분석하고 ,  회복을 촉진하며 경제적 회복탄력성을 강화하기 위한 정책적 대응 방안을 제안한다 . 계엄령 선포는 한국의 국내 ,  국제 경제 활동에 필수적인 안정성을 심각하게 훼손했다 .  계엄령 발표 직후 ,  외국인 투자자들은 한국의 정치적 위험을 재평가하며 대규모 자본을 유출시켰고 ,  이는 원화 가치의 급격한 하락을 초래했다 .  원화 약세는 수출 중심 산업에 일시적인 이점을 제공했지만 ,  원자재와 에너지의 높은 수입 의존도로 인해 제조업 및 소비재 산업의 비용 상승을 초래하며 그 효과가 상쇄되었다 .  생산 비용 증가로 인해 국내 소비가 위축되었고 ,  이는 인플레이션 압력을 가중시키는 결과를 낳았다 . 또한 정치적 불확실성은 투자자 신뢰를 약화시켜 기존 자금의 이탈뿐만 아니라 신규 외국인 투자의 유입도 중단시켰다 .  금융시장 안정성에 대한 우려가 커졌으며 ,  이는 글로벌 경제 불확실성과 긴축적인 통화정책이 이미 부담을 주고 있는 상황에서 더욱 악화되었다 . 계엄령으로 나라가 혼란한 가운데 발생한 제주항공 참사는  179 명의 희생자를 낳으며 한국의 항공 및 관광 산업에 즉각적이고 심대한 영향을 미쳤다 .  사고 직후 제주항공의 주가가 폭락했고 ,  이는 다른 항공사들까지 연쇄적인 주가 하락을 겪게 만들었다 .  안전성 우려가 확산되며 투자자들의 신뢰가 악화되었고 ,  그 여파는 관광 ,  호텔 ,  항공기 제조업 등 관련 산업 전반으로 번졌다 .  이...

On February 8, 2025, the Youth, Peace, and Security Workshop brought together students, scholars, policymakers, and peace practitioners for a full day of conversations about the role of young people in shaping global peace efforts. Led by Saji Prelis, the workshop explored how youth can take an active role in decision-making and policy development at a time when conflicts are becoming more complex and intergenerational trust is eroding. One of the biggest takeaways from the discussions was the urgency of moving beyond symbolic youth involvement. With more than half of the world’s population under 30, young people are not just stakeholders in peacebuilding but essential partners. The workshop highlighted real-world examples of youth-led initiatives and explored the barriers that often keep young leaders from fully participating in policy spaces. Participants examined how institutions can move past reactive approaches and instead create structured opportunities for youth to lead alongsi...