Sustainability at the Crossroads of Finance, Social Responsibility and the Environment: A Primer on Microfinance for Conservation Practitioners

Abstract

Anything “sustainable”—be it a bank, a community, or an ecosystem in nature—is defined by the fact that it is, effectively, a whole system unto itself, one which does not ultimately rely on external inputs—of financial, human, or natural capital—to survive if left independent from the rest of the world. This Master’s Project explores the nuanced meanings of sustainability in the context of businesses and organizations which focus on financial self-reliance, microfinance institutions and development organizations devoted to a social mission of poverty alleviation beyond basic fiscal responsibility, and environmental NGOs and green businesses who seek to achieve “environmental sustainability.” I provide a primer on microfinance for conservation organizations and individuals interested in investing in “Green” microfinance and social entrepreneurship, using principles established by leaders in the field of triple bottom line (TBL) business strategy and sustainable development.