Profit vs. Progress: An inside look at the failure of sustainable finance
Embedded Files
Wall Street promises that sustainable finance can make the world better while making investors rich. But in reality, "doing well by doing good" is a myth.
A new book by an insider pulls aside the curtain.
Profit vs. Progress, to be published by MIT Press in April 2026, shows that socially responsible investing fails to live up to its name-- despite attracting trillions of dollars from credulous investors.
The sustainable finance industry flourishes by selling the dream of having it all. But when it comes to real social progress -- slowing climate change or easing the hardships that blight the lives of billions -- sustainable finance doesn't deliver.
The book shows that businesses can be made more sustainable -- without blunting their edge. Capitalism can be consistent with corporate social responsibility. But, as in previous periods of crisis, the rulebook will require some revising.
"A devastating takedown of [sustainable] investing"
"An invaluable critique of the failure of the social investing model"
"Show[s] how we can do better "
See more endorsements here
Profit vs. Progress: Why Socially Responsible Investment Doesn’t Work and How to Fix It
will be published on 7 April 2026 by MIT Press.
Pre-order it here
The author is an insider
Brad Swanson has directly led and managed dozens of private equity investments in sustainable businesses in developing countries for more than two decades.
His book combines personal experience with research and teaching as an adjunct finance professor.
More about the author here
Google Sites
Report abuse