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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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Tax Incentives in national investment laws: Bridging the gap between tax and investment policy-makers
This report analyses how tax incentives are embedded and governed within national investment laws across emerging markets and developing economies. It highlights coordination gaps between investment and tax authorities, the dominance of tax holidays, and the need for stronger anti-cumulation safeguards to prevent unintended revenue losses.
Cracking the credit code: Alternative data and AI for financial inclusion
This report explores how alternative data and artificial intelligence are redefining credit scoring to enhance financial inclusion for women and underserved borrowers. It analyses market trends, evaluates the risks of algorithmic bias, and provides actionable recommendations to scale responsible, inclusive credit access across emerging markets.
Pipe dreams: How oil and gas fail to deliver economic development in Africa
This 2026 report analyses the economic impact of oil and gas extraction across 13 African nations. Finding that fossil fuels exacerbate poverty, vulnerability, and corruption rather than delivering sustained growth, it advocates for a rapid, just transition to decentralised renewable energy to ensure future economic stability and development.
A systematic review of the voluntary governance landscape for an urgent, high-integrity, and equitable transition to net zero
This systematic review analyses 36 voluntary governance documents to assess how well they guide non-state entities towards an urgent, high-integrity, and equitable net-zero transition. It identifies consensus areas, like science-based targets, alongside critical gaps in operational detail, equity, and accountability, highlighting the need for robust standards and regulation.
Off the books: Inside Australia's hidden system of migrant worker exploitation
This report analyses the systemic underpayment of temporary migrant workers in Australia. Surveying almost 10,000 individuals, it reveals two-thirds receive less than their legal entitlements. Employers frequently utilise insecure structures, such as misclassified independent contracting and casual work, to evade their responsibilities under the Fair Work Act.
Planetary solvency: Tipping into the wild unknown: Global nature risk management
This report outlines how the degradation of global ecosystems threatens societal and economic resilience. It highlights immediate risks to food systems and health, long-term ecosystem tipping points, and the necessity of integrating biodiversity into financial models. Actuaries and policymakers are urged to adopt systemic, narrative-based risk management strategies.
Underwriting the future of resilience: Developing insurable and bankable infrastructure
This report explores how the insurance industry assesses physical climate risks for new social infrastructure projects. It identifies five key enablers to integrate climate resilience across project lifecycles, advocating for early stakeholder engagement and forward-looking risk assessments to ensure long-term asset insurability, bankability, and value in a changing climate.
Value of nature: The investment case for nature-based solutions
This report examines how Ecosystem Service Valuation (ESV) can scale finance for Nature-based Solutions (NbS). By revealing the distribution of socio-economic benefits and costs across stakeholders, ESV provides a standardised framework to inform financial mechanisms and structure effective public-private partnerships.
Catalysing partnerships to mobilise infrastructure financing and investment in low- and middle-income countries
This learning note explores how an ecosystem approach to infrastructure financing can mobilise capital in low- and middle-income countries. It highlights the importance of early finance engagement, de-risking mechanisms, and integrated partnerships to transform technically sound projects into commercially viable investments.
Who is behind the nicotine industry in Europe? Leading players and their financiers
This research maps the key players in Europe's nicotine product industry and their financial backers. It examines ten companies, their supply chains, and specific nicotine-related financing. Findings reveal that major tobacco multinationals receive the vast majority of financing, predominantly from North American and European institutions.
Integrating climate considerations into environmental impact assessments: Lessons from Latin America and Asia
This report analyses the integration of climate change considerations into environmental impact assessment (EIA) regimes across 20 economies in Latin America and Asia. It evaluates legislative frameworks and climate litigation trends, recommending stronger statutory requirements, detailed technical guidance, and comprehensive assessments of both emissions and adaptation risks.
What can investors do about climate change?
This report explores the evolving role of investors in addressing climate change. Drawing on insights from major asset managers, it advocates shifting from market-led targets to a policy-led approach. Investors are advised to focus on realistic stewardship, pragmatic objective-setting, and policy advocacy to effectively manage climate-related financial risks.
Climate litigation as a financial risk: Evidence from a global survey of equity investors
This report surveys 811 global equity investors to assess perceptions of climate litigation as a financial risk. It finds that investors view climate lawsuits as financially material, with effects often manifesting early, such as upon media coverage or filing, and affecting both carbon majors and other sectors.
Acceleration is not a strategy: A framework for directing AI towards public value before it's too late
This report outlines a framework for European governments to steer artificial intelligence towards public value rather than just accelerating sector growth. It recommends implementing AI directionism by targeting high-impact uses, preparing priority sectors for adoption, curbing big tech monopolies, and ensuring the economic benefits are broadly shared.
Reforming investment contracts: Why policy - makers must act now — and how
This policy brief highlights the urgent need to reform investor–state contracts to support sustainable development. It explores how fragmented frameworks, outdated stabilisation clauses, and tax incentives undermine national laws. The report recommends strengthening interministerial coordination, assessing existing contracts, and developing national model agreements to improve transparency and policy coherence.
24/7 renewables: The economics of firm solar and wind
This report analyses the transition to reliable, round-the-clock renewable energy through solar, wind, and battery storage. Introducing the firm levelised cost of electricity (F-LCOE), it evaluates the cost-competitiveness of hybrid systems against fossil fuels and outlines the necessary policy reforms to support widespread deployment.