CDC Group, the UK development finance institution, has launched an updated and fully-web enabled version of its environmental social and governance (ESG) Toolkit for Fund Managers at the 2015 Responsible Investment Forum.

Mark Eckstein, CDC’s Director of Environmental and Social Responsibility, said: “ESG in private equity has moved from fringe to center stage. The majority of investors now want the assurance that their capital is ‘doing no harm’ and many want their investments to go further and deliver ESG added value.”

“Other key drivers include the realisation that failure to address ESG issues can erode value very quickly, especially in emerging markets, and the obverse recognition that proactive ESG can create value, he added.

CDC’s ESG Toolkit for Fund Managers has become a critical resource for responsible investing in emerging markets.

The company first published its ESG Toolkit for Fund Managers in 2006 as a free-to-use guide for investors.

Since then, over 300 professionals from 70 investment institutions have been trained to use the toolkit.

CDC is among the largest LPs in emerging markets private equity.

In the last ten years, CDC has committed $6.9bn to over 150 funds across emerging economies, including African frontier markets.

As a DFI, helping managers introduce, manage and improve ESG standards is an important part of how CDC adds value.

Eckstein said that CDC’s Toolkit will provide fund managers with the tools they need to assess and manage risks as well as uncover ESG value drivers.

“It helps fund managers navigate these waters with high quality guidance drawn from our experiences and those of our partners; it will give them the confidence to negotiate with their own investors on the ESG requirements that make sense for their Funds. It is a game changing resource,” he said.

The Responsible Investment Forum takes place in London on June 23 and is co-hosted by Private Equity International (PEI) and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

The RI Forum is the largest conference series dedicated to ESG integration in private equity investing.

Now in its sixth year, the conference brings together decision-makers to drive the debate on topic including LP-GP ESG reporting, the role of ESG in legal documentation and achieving effective company performance on ESG through the Board.

The new CDC toolkit is available at toolkit.cdcgroup.com.