Comments on: Connecting Microfinance to Environmental Sustainability and the Triple Bottom Line

By: Marjorie

Marjorie — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 03:20:58 +0000

Very interesting post,
Im actually interested in this connection myself but the more I learn about micro loans, less I believe it is doing much good for environmental efforts or anything for that matter. The social harms for women and communities often outweigh these benefits. We cant expect to sustain the triple bottom line if we dont work out the social part of it as much as the economic and environmental. Especially if conditions for women in the face of these loans is neither bearable nor equitable. If we want to reach these “UN Development Goals” there needs to be more transparency with these sorts of loan programs. Not only that but there should be other avenues to advance sustainability projects without reinforcing the cycle of poverty.

By: Magdaleno T. Bargamento

Magdaleno T. Bargamento — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:41:06 +0000

Thank you for the efforts in integrating environment, microfinance and social bottom line. Every day, whatever we do wherever we are our move affects negatively or positively the environment. With the huge number of intended target in microfinance industry, we can save the biosphere and change the world meeting present needs without sacrificing the needs of the future generation. I hope at least 50% of microfinance institutions worldwide institutionalize the triple bottom line.

Magdaleno T. Bargamento

By: Holly Padgett

Holly Padgett — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:50:48 +0000

Thank you for this informative message. I agree that the idea of connecting microfinance with environmental sustainability is a very complicated subject with no easy solutions. I do hope though that it is an area that MFIs and savings-groups are giving some attention to (and, of course, being responsible about).

By: Holly Padgett

Holly Padgett — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:43:35 +0000

Alex – Thank you for your message. These suggestions look really interesting. I look forward to learning more about them.

By: per s

per s — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:24:37 +0000

Hi, I am all for us practitioners and donors supporting linkages between mf and small scale cleantech solutions. But I am also a bit bothered by the fact that many mf clients (be it commercial or non-commercial schemes) are in fact using loans or converting savings into undeniably environmentally problemematic investments. Among others: artisanal goldmining, tanneries, small-scale metal workshops, brickmaking, toxic farming inputs etc. All deemed among the worst offenders in the micro context. (not to mention often unhealthy). Yes, on the other hand who are we to say that poor must live in complete harmony with nature – when we clearly more than ever are not. But there is often a trade off that we seldom talk about – and if we are to now also launch microfinance as actually promoting environmentalism…then there is some work to be done by all of us to think about the not so environmentally friendly parts in microfinance (and I do include savigns-groups in this)

I like the post though…

By: alexcountshaitibook

alexcountshaitibook — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:05:00 +0000

Excellent post. I enjoyed it. To reinfoce the point: There are lots of initiatives related to clean energy, sustainable development and microfinance these days. Arc Finance and MicroEnergy Credits are doing terrific work and also, my chapter in “New Pathways out of Poverty” covers a lot of ground in this space.