Altiorem

The report examines the integration of ESG factors into mainstream finance in the Asia-Pacific region. It highlights challenges like greenwashing, regulatory uncertainty, and macroeconomic instability. It also outlines opportunities for sustainable finance growth, driven by data integrity, net-zero commitments, and evolving regulatory frameworks.

This paper introduces an assessment framework for corporate disclosures on climate transition strategies. It identifies 64 indicators from 28 frameworks, develops a natural language processing (NLP) tool to automate disclosure assessment, and analyses disclosures of carbon-intensive companies. The findings reveal that companies often prioritise reporting targets over concrete implementation actions.

The report introduces key ecological concepts critical to achieving a nature-positive future. It outlines the financial opportunities and risks involved, emphasising the need for collaboration between ecologists and business professionals to effectively implement nature-positive strategies. The report also highlights the challenges and complexities in aligning ecological goals with financial instruments.

The report presents a method called "storylines" for assessing future physical climate-related financial risks. It emphasises plausibility over probability, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of uncertainties and risks in financial disclosures, particularly in the context of extreme climate events. This approach enhances risk assessment by integrating climate science with traditional financial analysis frameworks.

The Australian Government's 2024 Sustainable Finance Roadmap outlines a plan to mobilise private capital towards achieving net-zero emissions. It focuses on improving transparency in climate and sustainability reporting, enhancing financial system capabilities, and demonstrating government leadership. Key initiatives include mandatory climate-related financial disclosures, developing a sustainable finance taxonomy, and issuing sovereign green bonds.

This report investigates the implications of 'Scope 4' emissions accounting claims, which refers to greenhouse gas emission reductions or removals due to a decision or action. This study suggests that extant Scope 4 assessments do not fit the established framework for scope-based emissions accounting, and calls for cautious claims of this nature and the need for more research.

This report analyses the phenomenon of greenwashing in companies due to investors' pro-environmental preferences and their penalties for exposing past environmental controversies. The study presents the optimal communication, abatement policies, and greenwashing strategies of corporations, highlighting how investment decisions can clamp down on this practice. Policymakers can make use of these tools to reduce greenwashing and promote environment-friendly policies.

Big oil and gas companies’ climate pledges lack ambition and integrity, resulting in continued exploration and extraction. They fail to align with the Paris Agreement, relying on misleading accounting and greenwashing. Immediate action from governments and investors is essential to catalyse a socially just and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels.

The "Banking on Climate Chaos" benchmark report examines global banks' financing of fossil fuel companies, highlighting trends and policy shifts impacting climate goals. This series offers critical insights into financial institutions' roles in supporting fossil fuel expansion and their climate commitments.

The report highlights the risks and challenges associated with businesses misrepresenting their sustainability credentials or strategies. The document elaborates on the subject with the help of multiple examples and practical guidelines to reduce legal and reputational exposure to businesses and corporations.

This research series gauges Australians' and New Zealanders' awareness, attitudes, and practices around responsible and ethical investing. It provides insights into consumer sentiment and expectations regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in investment decisions.

This research of 14,000 people from 9 countries discovered that 93% say that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their perception of environmental sustainability. Individuals are, as a result, looking to invest in companies that prioritise environmental responsibility and expect them to communicate sustainability benchmarks and future plans clearly. In addition, more than half of consumers would work for a company that values sustainability, which is increasingly becoming a top hiring consideration.

This report offers Asia's finance industry a comprehensive guide on greenwashing, including its definition and the risks it poses. The report also covers regulatory developments and guidance to tackle greenwashing, and provides practical steps to guard against greenwashing risks in the industry.

Companies, nonprofits, and governments are increasingly engaging in greenwashing despite regulations for misleading advertisements. This report provides a framework for detecting greenwashing in such claims for all actors, whether non-commercial or non-advertisements.

This report explores the environmental impact claims made by European retail investment funds and assesses their accuracy and possible ramifications. Findings reveal a high prevalence of misleading claims and a need for better guidance and regulation to address the issue. Short and long-term recommendations are proposed.

This report is an in-depth analysis of the risks and pitfalls of greenwashing in sustainable investments. It provides an overview of the current regulatory landscape, common greenwashing practices, and best practices for addressing them.