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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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Indigenous rights and financial institutions: Free, prior and informed consent, just transition and emerging practice
This report examines the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in finance, focusing on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). It discusses challenges in implementing FPIC, such as differing views on indigeneity, determining adequate FPIC, poor information, and power imbalances. It concludes with the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Artificial intelligence and human rights investor toolkit
This toolkit aims to provide investors with guidance on how to navigate the intersecting terrain of AI and human rights. It covers the various aspects of AI implementation that have potentially significant implications for human rights, and how investors can engage with companies on these issues. Its focus is on emerging risks and opportunities for investors in the context of rapidly evolving technologies and the ethical challenges they pose.
Biodiversity finance as a technology of power: Discourses of innovation and regulation in an Australian case study
This research paper merges innovation and regulation, commodifying nature through tradeable biodiversity units. This study explores how financialisation shapes conservation policies, highlighting tensions between market-driven solutions and regulatory frameworks, and the complex power dynamics involved in biodiversity finance.
Global survey of nature risk management at financial firms 2024: A discipline in its infancy
The survey highlights the nascent stage of nature risk management in financial institutions. It covers governance, strategy, risk management, metrics, scenario analysis, and disclosures. The survey reveals low maturity levels but underscores the importance of integrating nature risks into financial practices to enhance resilience and sustainability.
Investing in stakeholder engagement for improved digital technologies
This report explores the importance of stakeholder engagement for tech sector investors. It shows how engaging with affected stakeholders helps identify, assess, and mitigate human rights risks. It provides recommendations for investors to fund more rights-respecting companies.
An introduction to responsible investment: Biodiversity for asset owners
This introductory guide for asset owners explores the financial risks and opportunities associated with biodiversity loss. It explains the relevance of biodiversity to investment processes and outlines how asset owners can incorporate biodiversity considerations into their responsible investment policies, stewardship practices, and disclosures.
Human rights and climate change: A guide for institutional investors
This guide examines the relationship between climate change and human rights. It highlights the responsibilities of institutional investors to recognise and act on climate-related human rights risks. It also identifies crucial areas of risk for investors and provides an action plan to support investors to integrate the management of climate-related human rights risks into their existing frameworks.
The intersection of Responsible AI and ESG: A framework for investors
This report provides actionable insights for investors exploring the integration of Responsible AI (RAI) in their investment decisions. It offers a framework to assess the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage by companies. The report includes case studies of globally listed companies and a set of templates to support investors in implementing the framework.
Anticipatory finance: An introductory guide
This introductory guide explores anticipatory finance, a funding mechanism released before predicted disasters to reduce humanitarian impact. It explains anticipatory action (AA), details potential finance sources (e.g. donor funds, government budgets, insurance), and presents real-world examples, challenges, and recommendations for implementation.
The Authenticity Advantage
This benchmark report highlights the link between authentic sustainability and improved business outcomes in Australian organisations. The report introduces the Authenticity Index™, measuring commitments, culture, and communication, demonstrating that high-scoring businesses experience better talent acquisition, productivity, retention, innovation, resilience, and profitability.
Financial crimes and land conversion: Uncovering risk for financial institutions
This report outlines the risks financial institutions face due to land conversion and related financial crimes. It emphasises the convergence of land conversion with crimes like money laundering and corruption, highlighting the need for robust due diligence and risk assessment. It introduces an Environmental Crimes Financial Toolkit to aid institutions in mitigating these risks.
Respecting Indigenous rights: An actionable due diligence toolkit for institutional investors
This toolkit offers practical guidance for investors to respect Indigenous rights. It covers understanding and incorporating these rights into investment policies, assessing and addressing impacts, and ensuring Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. This toolkit aims to mitigate risks and uphold international human rights standards.
Impact at scale
This report by Social Ventures Australia explores the topic of impact at scale within the Australian social sector. It sets out key features of impact at scale, with Australian case studies highlighting different approaches in working towards this goal. The report aims to bring together a uniquely Australian set of perspectives on the topic, which is broadly missing in current literature.
Is CSRD working for financial institutions? A look into how CSRD is being rolled out across the financial sector
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), an ambitious EU regulation, demands increased transparency from financial institutions (FIs). Challenges include lack of sector-specific guidance and data collection difficulties. Despite the focus on reporting, FIs must use CSRD strategically to align financing with sustainability goals and ensure long-term compliance.
Bankrolling ecosystem destruction: The EU must stop the cash flow to businesses destroying nature
The report analysed the financial flows of 135 companies in ecosystem risk sectors and found that 22.1% (US$278b) of credit and 9.4% (US$65b) of investment came from EU-based financial institutions from 2015 to 2023. The report recommends that EU regulation should align finance with global environmental targets to prevent financial flows from contributing to ecosystem destruction.
Navigating transition finance: An action list
This report explores how transition finance can help decarbonise high-emitting activities and other economic sectors. It offers recommendations to improve awareness, clarify transition activities and finance products, and mitigate associated risks. Collaborative efforts are needed to navigate the complex economic, regulatory, environmental, and technological landscape.