This report examines copper’s role in the energy transition, highlighting growing demand, environmental and human rights risks, and evolving global regulations. It evaluates mining companies’ sustainability performance using biodiversity, governance, and modern slavery metrics, offering insights for responsible investment aligned with international standards and long-term ESG considerations.

This report outlines how deforestation, particularly in tropical forests, is a key driver of biodiversity loss and climate change. It presents the risks to institutional investors—physical, transition, and systemic—and offers a framework to assess deforestation exposure in portfolios using nature-related data and metrics across sectors and geographies..

This report introduces the saliency-materiality nexus, a framework linking severe human rights harms to financially material risks in conflict-affected areas. It highlights case studies totalling over $85 billion in losses and offers guidance for investors on due diligence, portfolio risk management, and alignment with legal and ethical responsibilities.

The report analyses the investment required to address the natural capital gap for achieving Sustainable Development Goals in 40 countries, finding that investing US$7.4 trillion could generate returns exceeding US$152 trillion, greatly benefiting air quality, human health, ecosystems, and reducing premature deaths and resource depletion globally.

The report explores reframing child labour due diligence in supply chains, emphasising systemic solutions, collaboration, and addressing root causes. It critiques current top-down models, highlighting their inefficiencies and unintended consequences.

This paper outlines Federated Hermes' expectations and engagement priorities for sectors characterised by having high biodiversity impacts and dependencies. These include consumer goods and retail, agrochemicals, mining and materials, oil and gas, utilities, real estate and construction, and finance.

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current status and challenges faced by Indigenous peoples and local communities in managing their lands and territories. It highlights the importance of these lands for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and cultural heritage. This report supports investors in integrating biodiversity into investment decision-making by providing crucial insights into the stewardship of Indigenous lands. It informs engagement and stewardship activities with corporations, and, through the provision of data about the importance of these lands for the provision of ecosystem services, aids in assessing biodiversity impacts and dependencies, and highlights the importance of sustainable land management.

The report explores the concept of interconnected justice in global climate and nature transitions. It highlights the need for policies that integrate environmental, social, and economic dimensions, advocating multi-actor dialogues and frameworks to mitigate cross-border inequalities.

BIOFIN (Biodiversity Finance Initiative) supports countries in developing and implementing financing solutions for biodiversity conservation. It focuses on integrating biodiversity into national financial strategies and investment plans. By promoting innovative funding mechanisms, BIOFIN aims to enhance sustainable development and ensure effective resource management for natural ecosystems.

The report highlights the need for collaboration and innovation to secure a stable supply of critical minerals. These minerals are essential for the energy transition but face supply-demand imbalances. The report discusses financial and regulatory barriers and outlines solutions involving policy initiatives, stakeholder partnerships, and investment to ensure a sustainable, affordable, and available supply of critical minerals for clean energy technologies.

This series examines the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector, addressing critical data gaps, sustainable development challenges, and the sector's contribution to global supply chains. It highlights gender equality, occupational health, and safety, while showcasing strategies to formalise ASM and improve its economic and social impact.

Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act requires firms to disclose if they source conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report shows that increased public attention leads to responsible sourcing, which mitigates conflicts in mining regions. Certified smelters play a key role in these efforts.

This report investigates how the International Tin Supply Chain Initiative (ITSCI) allegedly launders conflict minerals from mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It highlights serious failings in the traceability system, enabling smuggling, militia involvement, and child labour in the mineral trade. Recommendations include structural reforms and stricter enforcement by governments and companies.

This report outlines best practices for complying with conflict minerals regulations. It covers the definition of conflict minerals, due diligence processes, and the broader impact of responsible sourcing. Key guidelines include using the OECD Due Diligence framework and tools like the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) for supply chain transparency.

This report evaluates the impact of due diligence programs (DDP) on 3T mines (tin, tantalum, and tungsten) in Eastern DRC. It finds reductions in interference by armed forces, increased state presence, but no significant changes in child labour rates. Economic improvements are noted, but DDP does not eliminate all mining-related harms.

Project on Resources and Governance (PRG) focuses on improving natural resource governance to benefit local communities in resource-rich countries. Through research and partnerships with governments, organisations, and institutions, PRG aims to create evidence-based solutions that enhance resource management, reduce conflicts, and promote sustainable development.