Towards an Indicative List of FDI Sustainability Characteristics

Abstract

Based on a review of 150 instruments, ranging from international investment agreements to codes of multinational enterprises, this paper identifies ten core characteristics of sustainable FDI and twenty emerging sustainable FDI characteristics widely accepted across ten stakeholder groups. The paper explores furthermore opportunities and mechanisms to advance the application of the sustainability characteristics. The FDI sustainability characteristics are also of immediate relevance for the discussions of investment facilitation. In many instances, the need of case-specific mechanisms must be developed and implemented. FDI sustainability characteristics ought to be understood as relevant to the entire life-cycle of a given investment and its relationship with a host country government and local communities.