About | Ishita Rai

Ishita Rai

I summarise and categorise all resources that go into Altiorem’s library, support engagement with Altiorem members, and ad hoc projects that enhance Altiorem’s value proposition and offering to sustainable finance communities.

PROFILE

I summarise and categorise all resources that go into Altiorem’s library, support engagement with Altiorem members, and ad hoc projects that enhance Altiorem’s value proposition and offering to sustainable finance communities.

RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY ISHITA RAI

Building consensus on societal wellbeing: A semantic synthesis of indicators to move beyond GDP

Analyses 213 wellbeing indicators using semantic modelling to identify conceptual overlap and optimal design beyond GDP. Finds strong thematic convergence and diminishing returns beyond roughly 20 components. Proposes a synthesised 20-component indicator to support international consensus on measuring sustainable and inclusive wellbeing.
Research
7 September 2025

The economics of water scarcity

This BIS working paper analyses water scarcity’s macroeconomic effects using panel data for 169 countries (1990–2020). It finds higher water stress is associated with lower GDP and investment growth and higher inflation. The paper discusses sectoral impacts, pricing, infrastructure and climate scenarios, highlighting implications for economic policy and central banks.
Research
4 December 2025

Restoring human progress: Winning citizens’ support for actions on climate and nature

University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
This report argues that despite widespread concern about climate and nature, durable policy support depends on restoring belief in human progress. Drawing on surveys and literature, it proposes three principles: deliver meaningful sectoral gains, play to national strengths, and make progress visible to build optimism, agency and sustained public backing.
Research
5 February 2026

Ecological design thinking for a circular economy: The impact of the forest metaphor for circular business

Evaluates a forest-metaphor learning tool for circular economy education through comparative workshops in 2023 and 2025. Survey results show the tool deepened understanding, generated more concrete insights and increased productive tension with existing business models, supporting conceptual change and more fruitful engagement with circular business thinking.
Research
25 December 2025

Making the case: Macroeconomic risk & portfolio impact: A tool for system-level investors

The Shareholder Commons
Provides system-level investors with practical language, research and engagement tools to address macroeconomic and systemic risks. Argues diversified portfolios depend primarily on overall market performance, which is shaped by social and environmental externalities, and supports stewardship actions to protect long-term portfolio value.
Research
11 February 2026

Recalibrating climate risk: Aligning damage functions with scientific understanding

Carbon Tracker Initiative
This report argues climate damage functions systematically underestimate risks by relying on smooth, GDP-centred models. Drawing on expert elicitation, it highlights nonlinear, cascading and tail risks, tipping points, and limits to growth. It recommends recalibrating modelling and financial supervision towards precaution, systemic resilience and transparent uncertainty.
Research
29 January 2026

Aurora Trust

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Aurora Trust is a UK-based grant-making charity focused on climate change mitigation, environmental conservation and sustainable development. Part of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, it funds programmes in nature connection, sustainable farming, stopping deforestation and energy efficiency to support efforts aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 °C goal.
Organisation
1 research item

OpenFEMA National Risk Index Data

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The OpenFEMA National Risk Index Data is a dataset that shows which United States communities are most at risk from 18 natural hazards, using measures of expected annual loss, social vulnerability and community resilience. Data are available for counties and Census tracts and can be downloaded for analysis.
Online tool/database

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Government Organisations & Departments
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a United States government agency within the Department of Homeland Security focused on disaster management. It helps communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate natural and human-made emergencies. FEMA provides emergency assistance, risk reduction guidance, and resilience resources nationwide.
Organisation
1 research item

Climate Finance Vulnerability Index (CliF-VI)

Columbia University
The Climate Finance Vulnerability Index (CliF-VI) is a data-driven global tool that assesses nations’ climate risk alongside their financial capacity to respond, helping guide adaptation financing. It combines climate, financial and governance indicators in an interactive dashboard to inform equitable allocation of climate adaptation funds.
Online tool/database

Columbia University

Academic Institutions
Columbia University is a leading research university based in New York City, offering undergraduate, postgraduate and professional education across arts, sciences, engineering, business and medicine.

Through global research initiatives, public policy engagement and interdisciplinary scholarship, Columbia University advances innovation, academic excellence and societal impact, and community partnerships worldwide for society.
Organisation
1 research item

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a United States government scientific agency offering weather, climate, ocean, and coastal data, forecasts and warnings. It supports environmental monitoring, severe weather preparedness, marine resource management and global observation services.
Online tool/database

Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)

The World Bank
The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) is a World Bank-managed, multi-donor partnership that provides grants, technical assistance and tools to help low- and middle-income countries understand, manage and reduce disaster and climate risks. It supports resilience planning, risk analytics and disaster risk management integration into development.
Online tool/database

SENSES Toolkit

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
The SENSES Toolkit is an interactive online platform offering modules to learn about, visualise and explore climate change scenarios. It supports decision-makers in understanding scenario approaches, climate impacts, mitigation and adaptation pathways, with practical guidelines for policy, finance and regional users.
Online tool/database

University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (FHP)

Academic Institutions
Fachhochschule Potsdam University of Applied Sciences (FHP) is a German university offering practice-oriented degree programmes in design, civil engineering, social sciences and information sciences. Based in Potsdam, FHP combines applied research, knowledge transfer and international collaboration, supporting innovation, urban development and digital transformation through teaching, research projects and industry partnerships.
Organisation
1 research item

Wageningen University & Research (WUR)

Academic Institutions
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is a leading Dutch academic institution focused on sustainable food systems, climate change, biodiversity, agriculture and environmental science.

It combines university education with applied and fundamental research to address global challenges in nutrition, health, water and circular bioeconomy. WUR partners with industry and governments worldwide.
Organisation
1 research item
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