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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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Safe and just Earth system boundaries

This report sets safe and just Earth system boundaries (ESBs) for domains including climate, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and identifies sub-global ESBs for avoiding Earth system destabilization. Achieving these ESBs requires a systemic transformation across sectors and addressing drivers of Earth system change for a safe and just future.
Research
31 May 2023

Investing in influence: Investors, portfolio firms, and political giving

Increased institutional ownership of US corporations has led to a discussion about the benefits and risks of asset management companies in control. This paper examines whether the political preferences of institutional investors affect the political contributions of portfolio firms. The results suggest that a large acquisition by an investor is associated with increased political giving by both the investor and acquired firm.
Research
17 January 2023

Guidance for pursuing impact in listed equities: The GIIN's listed equities working group

Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
This paper provides guidance for impact investors to achieve positive outcomes in public markets through listed equities. This report offers key concepts, practical recommendations, and examples for managing listed equity portfolios. Investors will find insights for developing impact strategies that deliver measurable social and environmental impact and financial returns.
Research
1 April 2023

Investor expectations of corporate transition plans: From a to zero

Institutional Investor Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)
This report outlines key components for a credible corporate transition plan aligned with net-zero pledges under the Net Zero Investment Framework (NZIF). The guidance aims to help investors assess corporate emissions targets and progress towards decarbonisation. It is designed to be applicable across different sectors and geographies.
Research
28 April 2023

Defining social norms and related concepts

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
This report defines social norms as the perceived unwritten rules deemed acceptable and influential in guiding human behaviour within a community. Social norms can be beneficial or harmful and influence collective change. The report distinguishes injunctive norms, descriptive norms, moral norms, and attitudes to establish behaviour change interventions.
Research
12 November 2021

The impact potential assessment framework (IPAF) for financial products

Sustainable Finance Observatory
The Impact Potential Assessment Framework for financial products (IPAF) is a multi-purpose tool developed to assess products based only on their actions to generate real-life impact. Using public information, it evaluates the product's maximum impact potential through four widely documented mechanisms.
Research
13 March 2023

Experimental evidence for tipping points in social convention

This study shows the theoretical and empirical existence of a tipping point for changing social conventions. Minority groups can overturn established behaviour by reaching a critical mass, expected to vary depending on social setting. The findings offer insight for organizations with potential shifts in conventional behaviour.
Research
8 June 2018

Why circular business models fail and what to do about it: A preliminary framework and lessons learned from a case in the European Union

Circular business models fail to scale due to cultural, regulatory, economic, and technical barriers. This report proposes a preliminary empirical framework for linking circular business models to specific barriers and offers four lessons for managerial strategies.
Research
22 June 2023

Do investors care about impact?

Investors care about sustainable investments, but not enough to pay substantially more for more impact. A framed field experiment revealed investors’ preference was an emotional rather than a calculative valuation of impact. This preference is driving the market, as managers provide little quantitative evidence of sustainability impact, according to the report.
Research
13 January 2021

The climate benefits of plastic waste management in India and Southeast Asia: Investing in waste management and recycling solutions in India and Southeast Asia could reduce GHG emissions by 229 million tonnes by 2030

The Circulate Initiative
The Circulate Initiative's GHG calculator indicates that improved waste management and recycling could reduce GHG emissions by 229 million tonnes by 2030. Mismanaged plastic waste rates in six Southeast Asian countries range from 50% to 75%. This sector is crucial for transitioning to a low-carbon economy, attracting climate-focused investors.
Research
13 July 2023

Five insights for avoiding global collapse: What a 50-year-old model of the world taught me about a way forward for us today

This book analyses a 50-year-old model of the world to provide five insights for avoiding global collapse. The book examines societal pressures, the role of technology, governance structures, and finance that contribute to earth's ecosystem health and sustenance."
Research
5 October 2022

Road to resilience: An investor action plan for an adaptive and sustainable economy

Investor Group on Climate Change
This paper presents a strategy to manage economic and environmental stability in response to physical climate risks. This aims to bring awareness and understanding of physical climate risks and highlights the importance of innovative solutions toward a sustainable low-carbon economy.
Research
17 August 2023

Collaborative investor engagement with policymakers: Changing the rules of the game?

This report explores why and how institutional investors engage with governments and the challenges they face in the process. The authors analyse 11 case studies and identify drivers such as managing investment risks and fulfilling fiduciary duties, as well as challenges like limited influence on governments. The findings contribute to the sustainable finance and public policy literature.
Research
25 June 2023

Environmental sciences, sustainable development and circular economy: Alternative concepts for trans-disciplinary research

This report discusses the challenges and opportunities of trans-disciplinary research in environmental sciences. It explores three alternative environmental concepts: "environmental sciences", "sustainable development", and the increasingly popular "circular economy". The article clarifies their meaning and inter-relationship, helping trans-disciplinary researchers to understand the opportunities and challenges of each.
Research
22 March 2016

Definitions for responsible investment approaches

CFA Institute
This report provides definitions for different responsible investment approaches - Screening, ESG Integration, Thematic Investing, Stewardship, and Impact Investing. It aims to standardise terminology, enabling investors to communicate their responsible investment practices with clarity, consistency, and confidence.
Research
27 October 2023

Mobilizing money and movements: Creative finance for food systems transformations

Global Alliance for the Future of Food
This report explores creative financing strategies for transforming food systems. Through six case studies, it showcases levers of change for transformational investing, including blended finance, shared ownership, and diverse investment types. The report emphasizes community engagement and local food production to build sustainable and resilient food systems.
Research
24 May 2022
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