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Research

We summarise credible research and reports on sustainable finance and ESG issues. Our summaries, along with our AI ChatBot saves members time reading large reports, to focus on knowledge building and action.

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A well-adapted UK: The fourth independent assessment of UK climate risk (CCRA4-IA)

Climate Change Committee
This report assesses the UK’s climate risks to 2050, identifies priority adaptation actions across key sectors, and outlines investment, policy and governance measures to strengthen resilience. It provides evidence-based recommendations to support climate adaptation planning and reduce long-term economic and societal impacts.
Research
20 May 2026

Plastic footprint guidelines

EarthAction
The Plastic Footprint Network's guidance document presents a science-based methodology for assessing corporate plastic footprints. Developed by over 100 professionals from 35 organisations, the framework comprises 11 modules covering macroplastics and microplastics, providing practitioners with a step-by-step process for measuring plastic leakage and reporting results.
Research
1 November 2023

Guidance on integrating deforestation into net zero strategies

Institutional Investor Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)
This IIGCC guidance supports institutional investors in integrating deforestation, land conversion, and associated human rights risks into net zero strategies. Aligned with the Net Zero Investment Framework 2.0, it provides practical, asset class-specific action points across listed equity, sovereign bonds, real estate, and private equity and debt.
Research
28 January 2026

Using scenario analysis for future resilience: Top tips for pension fund chairs and trustees

Accounting for Sustainability (A4S)
This guide from Accounting for Sustainability supports pension fund chairs and trustees to move beyond simplified climate scenario analysis. It outlines the limitations of current models, provides practical examples from USS, NBIM and APG, and offers six actionable tips to embed scenario insights into strategic decision making.
Research
1 June 2026

AI data centers and electricity demand: Taming the energy guzzlers

Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)
This paper examines AI data centre electricity demand and its costs for ratepayers and the environment. It finds that Big Tech market capitalisations have risen far above predicted levels since ChatGPT's 2022 launch, while data centres drive up electricity prices and fossil fuel use. Regulatory reforms and innovations are recommended.
Research
1 February 2026

Carbon tariffs, emissions leakage, and production relocation

Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)
This paper examines whether carbon tariffs prevent emissions leakage from firm relocation in a North-South duopoly model. It finds that carbon tariffs combined with export rebates form the optimal carbon tax regime, preventing leakage when the northern firm's emissions intensity exceeds fifty percent of the southern firm's, and can benefit both countries.
Research
30 June 2026

From climate crisis to insurance crisis: Designing solidarity-based natural disaster insurance

Urgewald
This report examines rising climate-related insurance losses and Germany's lack of comprehensive natural disaster coverage, with only 57% of residential buildings insured against such risks. It analyses international public-private insurance models — particularly France's CatNat system — and recommends a solidarity-based approach alongside measures to hold the fossil fuel industry financially accountable.
Research
9 April 2026

Looking beyond greenhouse gas emissions: Interlinkages between the commercial vehicle industry and nature

World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund – WWF)
Published by WWF Sweden in collaboration with TRATON GROUP, this report examines the commercial vehicles sector's interlinkages with nature across its full value chain. It analyses six key commodities and value chain stages, identifies nature-related risks for businesses, and calls for sector-wide collaborative action towards a nature-positive future.
Research
13 February 2026

Shareholder proposals and corporate governance in a season of regulatory uncertainty

This report analyses the 2025–2026 proxy season following the SEC's suspension of its no-action review process. Shareholders filed approximately 20% fewer proposals; companies filed over 100 fewer exclusion notices. Exclusions disproportionately affected novel and revised proposals, with proponents increasingly turning to litigation and alternative strategies to preserve shareholder rights.
Research
27 April 2026

Widening the lens: Scaling climate adaptation and resilience through sustainable finance

Sustainable Fitch
This report examines climate adaptation and resilience in sustainable finance, highlighting a significant financing gap in emerging markets and limited formal allocation in labelled debt markets. It argues for a broader lens that recognises resilience outcomes already embedded in policy-driven investments, using Ecuador's sovereign housing framework as a case study.
Research
1 June 2026

Ratings insights: Understanding the global green bond index

Sustainable Fitch
Sustainable Fitch maps its framework and entity-level ratings to the Bloomberg MSCI Global Green Bond Index, covering 88% of index bonds. While index constituents show stronger framework quality and ICMA alignment than the broader market, many high-quality and transition-relevant bonds sit outside the benchmark due to financial eligibility constraints.
Research
20 May 2026

Navigating towards water resilience: An introductory guide for central bankers, financial supervisors and regulators

World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund – WWF)
This WWF Greening Financial Regulation Initiative guide introduces central banks, financial supervisors and regulators to the financial risks posed by the global water crisis. It covers physical, transition and systemic risks, emerging responses from the financial sector, available assessment tools, and policy recommendations for integrating water risks into supervisory frameworks.
Research
7 May 2026

Interest rate caps, competition, and strategic borrowing: Evidence from Kenya

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
This paper examines Kenya's 2016 interest rate regulation, which capped bank lending rates but exempted the digital platform M-Shwari. Using borrower-level administrative data and a structural model, the authors find that the M-Shwari carve-out preserved credit access for high-risk borrowers, while a uniform cap would have eliminated it entirely.
Research
6 May 2026

The ICJ's advisory opinion on climate change

Verfassungsblog
This edited volume analyses the ICJ's July 2025 advisory opinion on climate change obligations, examining its legal framework, due diligence standards, human rights implications, and statehood findings. Contributing authors also assess the opinion's notable silences on historical responsibility, military emissions, and differentiated obligations.
Research
16 December 2025

Potential business cases in measuring biodiversity state and impact in agriculture

Svensk Kolinlagring
A joint Mistra FinBio and Svensk Kolinlagring report identifying three business cases linking biodiversity data to agricultural finance: baseline databanks for bank and insurance risk assessment, and an MRV system for biodiversity claims. It highlights the financing gap in regenerative agriculture and outlines potential biodiversity-linked financial products.
Research
1 December 2025

Credible climate financing and fossil fuel phase-out commitments are possible but remain marginal amongst major financial institutions

World Benchmarking Alliance
WBA's analysis of 400 major financial institutions finds that transition planning is emerging but capital allocation to low-carbon solutions and fossil fuel phase-out commitments remain marginal. Only two institutions demonstrate robust fossil-fuel restrictions, and low-carbon activities account for an average of just 2.7% of total financed activities globally.
Research
30 June 2026
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