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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

A climate-aligned financial system: Leverage points for transformation

This study models the financial system’s role in climate transition using participatory system dynamics with Dutch financial actors. It identifies reinforcing feedbacks like learning, technological lock-in, finance culture and passive investment and proposes seventeen policy and institutional interventions to redirect capital towards sustainable assets and align finance with Paris Agreement goals.
Research
23 February 2026

Surviving on breadcrumbs: Resourcing radical hope

Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
The report reflects on UK research mapping about 2,000 organisations building alternative economic futures and examines funding challenges. It urges funders and wealth holders to reconsider investment practices, support ecosystem development, and allocate resources towards initiatives fostering regenerative, equitable economic models and systemic change.
Research
27 February 2025

Navigating the winds of change Strategic foresight and the power of weak signals

The study highlights the importance of strategic foresight in addressing complex global challenges by identifying weak signals—early indicators of potential disruptions. It suggests that integrating these signals into governance frameworks can enhance resilience against systemic risks, urging continuous monitoring and cross-agency collabouration.
Research
12 February 2026

Quality matters: Transforming ESG data for better decision-making

We Mean Business
Examines weaknesses in ESG data quality affecting investment and corporate analysis, including inconsistent company reporting, provider extraction errors and structural gaps such as absent repositories. Recommends stronger reporting standards, XBRL tagging, assurance and improved collaboration among companies, regulators and data providers to produce reliable ESG data for financial decision-making.
Research
2 October 2025

Scaling up green investment in the global south: Strengthening domestic financial resource mobilisation and attracting patient international capital

SOAS University of London
This report examines why capital flows ‘uphill’ from emerging and developing economies and argues that scaling green investment requires stronger domestic financial resource mobilisation. It recommends developing local currency bond markets, empowering national development banks, reforming multilateral development banks, and establishing a climate finance facility to attract patient international capital.
Research
25 October 2024

LSTA Sustainable Lending Library

Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA)
The LSTA Sustainable Lending Library compiles market-standard frameworks and guidance for green, social and sustainability-linked loans, plus a draft Transition Loans Guide. Developed with LMA and APLMA, it supports consistent application of sustainable finance principles in private credit and syndicated loan markets.
Research

From bonds to blended Finance: How a diverse range of financial instruments are financing climate adaptation and resilience

World Resources Institute
Analyses 162 cases (2015–2025) of 11 financial instruments financing climate adaptation. Finds blended finance most prevalent, with instruments mainly supporting ex-ante risk reduction. Adaptation finance is largely pooled and increasingly multicountry. Use varies by income level, highlighting growing innovation to mobilise capital for resilience.
Research
19 November 2025

Understanding climate finance for resilient infrastructure

Altiorem
This expert guide outlines the rationale, tools and barriers for mobilising climate finance to deliver resilient infrastructure. It examines adaptation and mitigation finance, funding gaps, economic benefits, and stakeholder roles, supported by case studies demonstrating blended finance, insurance and public–private approaches in developing and developed contexts.
Research
3 March 2025

Building consensus on societal wellbeing: A semantic synthesis of indicators to move beyond GDP

Analyses 213 wellbeing indicators using semantic modelling to identify conceptual overlap and optimal design beyond GDP. Finds strong thematic convergence and diminishing returns beyond roughly 20 components. Proposes a synthesised 20-component indicator to support international consensus on measuring sustainable and inclusive wellbeing.
Research
7 September 2025

A blueprint for best practice in investor collaborations

Altiorem
This guide outlines best practice for investor collaborations addressing systemic ESG risks. It defines collaboration models, examines benefits and barriers, and presents a six-step framework covering leadership, governance, alignment, resourcing and accountability. Case studies illustrate how structured, investor-led initiatives can influence corporate behaviour and public policy.
Research
17 June 2025

Integrating human rights due diligence (HRDD) in finance and investment

Altiorem
Guide outlining how investors integrate human rights due diligence (HRDD) into ESG processes, particularly listed equities. It explains regulatory drivers, investor risks and opportunities, practical integration steps, barriers and case studies, emphasising saliency, stewardship, remediation and governance to manage human rights risks and align with evolving global standards.
Research
1 December 2025

Total Impact Portfolio: Constructing an investment portfolio with an impact lens

Altiorem
This guide outlines constructing a Total Impact Portfolio (TIP), integrating risk, return and impact across all asset classes. It explains double materiality, portfolio design steps, responsible investment strategies, measurement frameworks and barriers. Case studies illustrate Australian and international asset owners embedding impact within governance, allocation and performance management.
Research
26 February 2025

The economics of water scarcity

This BIS working paper analyses water scarcity’s macroeconomic effects using panel data for 169 countries (1990–2020). It finds higher water stress is associated with lower GDP and investment growth and higher inflation. The paper discusses sectoral impacts, pricing, infrastructure and climate scenarios, highlighting implications for economic policy and central banks.
Research
4 December 2025

Restoring human progress: Winning citizens’ support for actions on climate and nature

University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
This report argues that despite widespread concern about climate and nature, durable policy support depends on restoring belief in human progress. Drawing on surveys and literature, it proposes three principles: deliver meaningful sectoral gains, play to national strengths, and make progress visible to build optimism, agency and sustained public backing.
Research
5 February 2026

Ecological design thinking for a circular economy: The impact of the forest metaphor for circular business

Evaluates a forest-metaphor learning tool for circular economy education through comparative workshops in 2023 and 2025. Survey results show the tool deepened understanding, generated more concrete insights and increased productive tension with existing business models, supporting conceptual change and more fruitful engagement with circular business thinking.
Research
25 December 2025

Making the case: Macroeconomic risk & portfolio impact: A tool for system-level investors

The Shareholder Commons
Provides system-level investors with practical language, research and engagement tools to address macroeconomic and systemic risks. Argues diversified portfolios depend primarily on overall market performance, which is shaped by social and environmental externalities, and supports stewardship actions to protect long-term portfolio value.
Research
11 February 2026
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