Global private markets are undergoing a fundamental transformation. In 2022 alone, more than 70% of limited partners (LPs) surveyed stated that ESG considerations were integral to their investment decisions. Over $1.2 trillion in assets are now managed under ESG-integrated strategies within private equity and venture capital. The message is clear: sustainability is no longer a "nice-to-have" — it's a core business imperative.

Today, private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) firms are weaving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into the fabric of how they assess, manage, and grow companies. And they’re not just responding to external pressure from regulators or investors. They’re doing it because ESG-aligned companies are showing stronger performance, lower risk profiles, and better long-term returns.

In this deep dive, we'll explore how ESG is reshaping private equity and venture capital across the globe. We'll look at what's driving this change, how firms are implementing ESG in practice—from due diligence to term sheets to portfolio monitoring—and discuss the challenges (including the ever-present risk of greenwashing). Along the way, we'll spotlight real-world examples of firms walking the talk on ESG, and peek into future trends like impact-linked bonuses, biodiversity metrics, and ESG playbooks for startups.

What’s Driving the ESG Shift in Private Markets?

“ESG is no longer about ticking boxes—it’s about unlocking value.”

— Senior Partner, Global Private Equity Firm

Investor Pressure: LPs are making ESG a dealbreaker. Institutional investors, including pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, are directing more capital toward ESG-compliant funds and setting clear sustainability mandates. This shift is influencing how GPs source, structure, and manage investments.
Regulatory Push: Governments and financial regulators are introducing sustainability-related disclosures and classification systems. The EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are raising the bar. Similar frameworks are emerging in Asia, the UK, and North America, creating a global baseline for ESG compliance.
Value Creation: ESG is now seen as a lever for value creation. Companies with strong ESG practices often outperform on financial metrics, attract better talent, secure customer loyalty, and face fewer regulatory or reputational risks. ESG performance is increasingly seen as a proxy for operational excellence.
Stakeholder Demand: From customers who demand transparency and purpose, to employees who want to work for responsible businesses, stakeholder expectations are reshaping how companies and investors think. ESG integration is now seen as a competitive advantage in winning trust and building long-term brand equity.
Exit Readiness: ESG is playing a bigger role in mergers, acquisitions, and IPOs. Buyers and public market investors are conducting ESG due diligence. Companies with strong ESG track records often enjoy smoother exits and better valuations.
Cost of Capital Advantage: Banks and lenders are starting to offer better terms to businesses that can demonstrate ESG progress. ESG-linked loans, for example, offer margin discounts when sustainability KPIs are met, making ESG integration a financially strategic move.

ESG Integration in Practice

Sourcing & Due Diligence: ESG screens are increasingly part of initial evaluations. Investors assess companies' environmental footprints, labor practices, and governance structure. Deals are being turned down due to ESG red flags.
Investment Agreements & Governance: ESG commitments are being written into term sheets and governance structures. Credit facilities are being tied to sustainability KPIs. Boards are forming ESG committees, and VC firms are guiding startups on best practices.
Portfolio Monitoring: Post-investment, firms track ESG KPIs and set improvement targets. Collaborative efforts like the ESG Data Convergence Project are standardizing metrics across portfolios, making benchmarking and reporting more effective.
Exit: ESG performance can enhance valuations and reduce exit risk. Strong ESG credentials make companies more attractive to buyers and public investors, particularly in ESG-conscious markets.

ESG in Action: Real-World Examples

“We see ESG as a core component of operational excellence, not just compliance.”

— ESG Director, Carlyle Group

Carlyle Group secured a $2.75 billion ESG-linked credit line, which ties the cost of capital to performance on sustainability KPIs like board diversity and greenhouse gas tracking. This creates real financial incentives for ESG improvement across their portfolio.
HV Capital, a leading German VC, embedded ESG into its investment approach. It published an ESG guide for startups and integrated ESG into fund documentation. The firm’s philosophy of “ESG by Design” empowers early-stage companies to scale responsibly from day one.
MPower Partners in Japan launched the country’s first ESG-focused global venture capital fund. Their Startup ESG Playbook offers step-by-step guidance for integrating ESG into business models, a valuable tool for founders navigating early growth.
TPG’s Rise Fund invested in EverFi, an edtech company promoting financial literacy and life skills. With ESG goals built into its value creation plan, EverFi scaled both its impact and financial metrics before being acquired—a textbook example of mission and margin aligning.

Criticisms and Challenges

Greenwashing Risks: Some firms make ESG claims without action. Regulators and investors are calling for more transparency and data-driven proof of ESG performance.
Measurement Difficulties: Lack of standardized ESG metrics creates inconsistencies. Industry initiatives are helping, but progress is ongoing.
Return Concerns: Critics argue ESG might compromise returns. However, data increasingly shows ESG-aligned companies can outperform over the long term.
Political Backlash: In some regions, ESG is facing political resistance. This has led to rebranding efforts and more emphasis on transparency and proof of outcomes.

What’s Next for ESG in Private Markets?

“Biodiversity will be to the 2020s what carbon was to the 2010s.”

— Impact Fund Manager, Singapore

Impact-Linked Incentives: Fund managers are increasingly exploring carry structures tied to ESG performance. Some are adopting sustainability-linked bonuses and clawbacks to hold teams accountable for ESG outcomes.
Biodiversity Metrics: ESG is expanding beyond climate to include biodiversity and nature-related risks. Frameworks like the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) are helping investors measure dependencies and impacts on natural ecosystems.
Startup ESG Playbooks: VCs are equipping founders with ESG playbooks to embed sustainability from seed stage. This early integration strengthens company culture, resilience, and future funding prospects.
Tech-Powered ESG: Technology is streamlining ESG data collection and reporting. AI and machine learning are enabling real-time risk monitoring, while blockchain offers tamper-proof ESG data trails, increasing trust and traceability.
Sector-Specific ESG Strategies: PE and VC firms are developing tailored ESG strategies for high-impact sectors like energy, healthcare, and technology. These strategies reflect the unique sustainability challenges and opportunities in each sector.
Cross-Border ESG Alignment: As global investors seek consistency, firms are harmonizing ESG strategies to align with international standards like ISSB, CSRD, and TNFD. This is especially important for funds with global LP bases and cross-border investments.

A New Era of Private Capital

“Responsible investing is now smart investing.”

— Head of Sustainability, Global Pension Fund

The rise of ESG in private equity and venture capital marks a fundamental shift in mindset for an industry often seen as opaque and solely profit-driven. What began as a response to pressure—from LPs, regulators, and society—has evolved into a genuine recognition that considering environmental, social, and governance factors is integral to long-term success.

Investors are pushing for it. Firms are weaving ESG into the fabric of their investment processes and even experimenting with bold ideas like linking fees to impact or investing in biodiversity protection. While turning broad ideals into tangible action isn’t easy—and the risk of superficial adoption is real—many of the world’s leading investors and entrepreneurs are proving that ESG can be approached authentically, and that it enhances rather than diminishes value.

Importantly, this ESG movement in private markets is global and collaborative. A venture fund in Japan may inspire a Silicon Valley startup through its ESG playbook. A private equity firm in New York might partner with a pension fund in Europe to standardize sustainability data that improves operations in India. These examples illustrate a collective journey, where even competitors are collaborating to develop better frameworks and more effective disclosures. That represents a culture shift for private capital, which has traditionally prized secrecy and individual advantage over shared progress.

For today’s investors and founders, this movement offers both an opportunity and a responsibility. If you’re an LP, you’re in a stronger position than ever to demand ESG transparency and measurable action. If you’re a GP, embracing ESG is no longer niche—it’s becoming fundamental to staying competitive and unlocking value others might miss. And if you’re a startup founder or a private company CEO, ESG is a chance to build a more resilient business, attract aligned investors, and stand out in a crowded market.

We’re entering a new era—where metrics like a company’s carbon footprint or workforce diversity can influence valuation just as much as revenue growth. That can feel daunting, but it’s also a call to lead. There will be breakthroughs and growing pains, but ESG is clearly here to stay. More than just a checkbox, it’s now part of the core due diligence process.

Ultimately, ESG in private equity and venture capital isn’t just about compliance or branding—it’s about expanding our understanding of value. It’s about aligning financial success with ethical responsibility. And as firms adapt to this new reality, they’re not just reacting to a trend—they’re actively shaping what the future of investing looks like. Doing well by doing good isn’t just a slogan anymore—it’s becoming a defining investment thesis for a new generation of capital allocators.