Khamhla Tongburan working at a garment factory in Bangkok, Thailand, which she co-owns with fifteen women who, together, aim to provide fair wages, regular working hours, and safe conditions.

Catalyzing Private Sector Impact with Evidence

J-PAL is advancing work to bring evidence-informed strategies to drive corporate sustainability and social impact.

The private sector plays a pivotal role in driving transformative social and environmental change for poverty reduction. As a major global employer and a key source of innovation, private sector investments in impact now outpace traditional development funding by a factor of three. Companies and investors are increasingly committing to measuring and managing their social and environmental impact, yet many face uncertainty in identifying the most effective approaches.

Challenges such as managing the energy transition, promoting worker well-being, and building resilient supply chains require evidence-based strategies. J-PAL offers rigorous, independent insights to help private sector partners maximize the impact of their social and environmental programs.

In 2024, J-PAL deepened its partnerships with the private sector, recognizing its critical role in addressing today’s most pressing challenges. This year, J-PAL researchers continued to deepen their partnerships with companies raising living standards within global garments and manufacturing supply chains, leveraging evidence-based insights to support social sustainability efforts and scale impact.

J-PAL Africa launched a pioneering portfolio focused on accelerating SME growth as a pathway to job creation across the continent. To equip investors with tools for integrating impact into their decision-making, we hosted specialized training programs tailored to their unique needs.

At New York Climate Week, J-PAL convened global impact investment leaders to highlight the importance of rigorous evidence in maximizing the impact of climate finance. Together, we explored strategies to make climate investments more effective, ensuring that every dollar meaningfully contributes to combating climate change.

Panelists discussing importance of public-private partnerships during UNGA

J-PAL affiliated professor Robert Metcalfe, Columbia University; Maya Chorengel, Director and Co-Managing Partner, TPG; Kartick Kumar, Managing Director, Impact Investments, King Philanthropies; and Shawn Cole, Scientific Director for ESG and Corporate Partnerships, J-PAL, and Harvard Business School; discussed the role of evidence-informed decision-making in climate finance at an event during New York Climate Week and the UN General Assembly meetings in 2024. Photo credit: Ellie Lewis, J-PAL

As we look toward 2025 and beyond, J-PAL is excited to expand our private sector partnerships and explore new models of collaboration. By providing actionable evidence, we aim to empower companies and investors to bridge the gap between their commitments and tangible delivery. Together, we can create sustainable, scalable solutions to address the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Leadership

Shawn Cole
Scientific Advisor

Julie Cobill
Lead

Lead photo credit: Paula Bronstein, Getty Images, Images of Empowerment

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