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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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SHOW: 16

Spotlight on nature: Case studies for business transformation towards a nature-positive future

World Economic Forum
This report highlights six case studies of businesses transforming towards a nature-positive future. It showcases their efforts to address nature-related risks and opportunities, focusing on areas such as sustainable forestry, circular resource use, soil health, sustainable seafood, biodiversity, and freshwater management.
Research
23 September 2024

Pension fund trustees and fiduciary duties: Decision-making in the context of sustainability and the subject of climate change

The report discusses the legal duties of pension fund trustees, especially in the context of sustainability and climate change. It highlights how trustees must balance financial risks and returns while incorporating long-term sustainability. The paper provides guidance for trustees to navigate fiduciary duties, including the implications of climate-related factors on investment decisions.
Research
6 February 2024

Engagement and divestment: Shareholders transcend a false binary

Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
This briefing explores how institutional investors are moving beyond the binary choice of engagement versus divestment in response to climate-related financial risks. It highlights how divestment complements engagement strategies, enabling investors to maintain credible influence over corporate policies while protecting portfolios from climate risks.
Research
12 September 2024

Building sustainable business models in private banks: A pathway to a better future

World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund – WWF)
This report highlights the SPRING framework, aimed at integrating sustainability within private banking. It presents findings from a pilot study, emphasising the need for private banks to incorporate ESG in operations, improve risk management, foster governance, and engage clients on sustainability preferences. The report also provides actionable recommendations for private banks to drive positive environmental and social impact.
Research
31 May 2023

The finfluencer appeal: Investing in the age of social media

CFA Institute
The report titled examines the role of financial influencers ("finfluencers") in shaping investment decisions, especially among Gen-Z investors. It highlights the regulatory challenges posed by finfluencers, explores their content's appeal to younger audiences, and provides recommendations for enhancing financial literacy and regulatory frameworks.
Research
23 January 2024

No data, no deal? Impact measurement and capital flows to achieve climate-compatible growth

Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment (University of Oxford)
This report explores the challenges and importance of impact measurement and management (IMM) in directing capital to climate-friendly projects, particularly in emerging markets. Through investor interviews and case studies, it highlights the need for standardised IMM to enhance transparency, avoid 'impact-washing', and ensure equitable access to capital for underrepresented markets like Zambia.
Research
27 August 2024

How to address the corporate community engagement gap: The case for a pooled fund for legal and technical support

Rights CoLab
This report makes the case for a pooled fund to provide independent legal and technical support to communities affected by land-based investments. The fund aims to bridge the gap in corporate-community engagement, reduce social and environmental risks, and improve human rights due diligence by empowering communities to engage on equal footing with businesses.
Research
18 September 2024

The investor case for fighting inequality: How inequality harms investors and what investors should do about it

Rights CoLab
The report argues that socioeconomic inequality poses systemic risks to investment performance. It highlights that addressing inequality aligns with investors' fiduciary duties by reducing financial risks and improving long-term returns. The report provides evidence that inequality impacts corporate performance, supply chains, and macroeconomic stability.
Research
6 September 2024

From fragmentation to integration: Embedding social issues in sustainable finance

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The report calls for integrating social risks into financial strategies. It emphasises the interconnectedness of social and environmental issues and recommends enhancing research, standards, and tools to address socio-economic inequalities, promoting financial stability and sustainability.
Research
30 August 2023

Are high-interest loans predatory? Theory and evidence from payday lending

This report investigates whether high-interest payday loans are predatory by exploring borrower behaviour and the impact of regulatory measures. Using an experiment with payday loan borrowers, the study finds that while inexperienced borrowers are often overoptimistic about repayment, more experienced ones anticipate future borrowing accurately.
Research
13 May 2021

Leveraged buyouts: A survey of the literature

This report provides a comprehensive review of leveraged buyouts (LBOs), covering their motives, value creation mechanisms, and trends in public-to-private transactions. Key factors discussed include agency cost reduction, tax benefits, stakeholder wealth transfers, and corporate restructuring processes. It also highlights empirical evidence from the US, UK, and Europe, examining the resurgence of LBOs in the early 2000s.
Research
23 January 2017

Nature investor toolkit: Understanding nature-related risks and opportunities and supporting investors to assess, engage and take action

Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA)
The toolkit helps investors identify, assess, and manage nature-related risks and opportunities in their portfolios. It provides guidance on how to engage with stakeholders, evaluate investment impacts on nature, and explore emerging tools for nature-positive outcomes. The toolkit also highlights strategies to mitigate risks and seize nature-related investment opportunities.
Research
13 September 2024

Predatory fintech and the politics of banking

This report critically examines the rise of predatory fintech lending practices in the US. It highlights how fintech firms exploit regulatory gaps through partnerships with banks, resulting in high-cost loans that disproportionately impact financially vulnerable households. The report also discusses potential regulatory reforms to protect consumers from these harmful practices.
Research
24 May 2021

Predatory trade finance: The impact of bargaining power and financing constraints on the demand and supply of trade credit

The report examines how disparities in bargaining power affect trade credit negotiations in emerging economies. The findings highlight that financially constrained firms often provide trade credit to more powerful counterparts, leading to inefficiencies and negative outcomes for suppliers, challenging the notion that trade credit is beneficial for growth.
Research
28 August 2021

Infrastructure for a climate-resilient future

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The report outlines the critical role of climate-resilient infrastructure in addressing the increasing impacts of climate change. It emphasises the need for integrated planning, financing, and the adoption of nature-based solutions to enhance infrastructure resilience. The report also highlights the economic benefits and policy recommendations for building robust infrastructure systems globally, especially in developing countries.
Research
9 April 2024

Aligning corporate value chains to global climate goals

Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
This discussion paper explores the importance of scope 3 emissions in corporate climate targets. It discusses challenges in current scope 3 target-setting practices, potential solutions, and strategies for decarbonising value chains. The report aims to enhance corporate climate action, aligning businesses with global climate goals while promoting stakeholder engagement for future standards.
Research
30 July 2024
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