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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

Market review of environmental impact claims of retail investment funds in Europe

Sustainable Finance Observatory
This report explores the environmental impact claims made by European retail investment funds and assesses their accuracy and possible ramifications. Findings reveal a high prevalence of misleading claims and a need for better guidance and regulation to address the issue. Short and long-term recommendations are proposed.
Research
13 September 2023

Investor climate action plans (ICAPs): Guidance on using the expectations ladder

The Investor Agenda
This report provides guidance to investors on using the ICAPs Expectations Ladder to disclose their climate action plans. It covers investment, corporate engagement, policy advocacy, investor disclosure, and governance with specific recommendations. The report includes a glossary of terms and maps existing disclosures to the Ladder's expectations.
Research
7 July 2022

A conceptualisation of sub-living wages: Liabilities, leverage, and risk

Harvard Business School
This report proposes an alternative approach for organisations to account for wages paid below the local living wage level through a firm's balance sheet, creating leverage effect as the organisation borrows from society, reflecting higher stakeholder risk. This can help investors, policymakers, customers, corporate managers and other stakeholders to assess an organisation's exposure to human capital erosion.
Research
15 June 2022

A sustainable finance policy engagement handbook

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This handbook introduces six principles outlining institutional investors' commitment to incorporate ESG issues in investment analysis, ownership policies and practices, and promotion of acceptance and implementation of the Principles. The report explains how responsible investors can engage with policymakers to promote a sustainable financial system.
Research
25 November 2022

Impact investing in biodiversity conservation with bonds: An analysis of financial and environmental risk

This report examines the financial and environmental risks associated with impact investing in biodiversity conservation through bonds. It evaluates five case studies, analysing the projects' theories of change, potential risks, and mitigation strategies. The findings highlight complexities in achieving both financial returns and conservation impact, with concerns about vague metrics and project uncertainties.
Research
21 May 2022

Industry influence on biodiversity policy: A pilot study demonstrating industry associations’ engagement on biodiversity-related policy and regulations

InfluenceMap
This report reveals that industry associations representing key sectors and some of the largest companies in the world are lobbying to delay, dilute, and block critically needed biodiversity policy in both the EU and US. The vast majority of engagement on specific policies and regulations is oppositional, seeking to roll back, weaken, or block policy.
Research
24 October 2022

Amazonia against the clock: Regional assessment on where and how to protect 80% by 2025

Stand.earth
The report assesses the current state of the key priority areas in the Amazon and outlines the urgent actions that need to be taken to save the Amazon rainforest and mitigate climate change.
Research
15 September 2022

Guiding principles for responsible investment stewardship in Aotearoa New Zealand

Stewardship Code Aotearoa New Zealand
The Stewardship Code is a voluntary guideline crafted by New Zealand industry experts, aiding financial market participants in responsible investment stewardship. Comprising nine principles, it supplements regulatory mandates, allowing voluntary adoption and reporting on a 'comply or explain' basis.
Research
15 May 2023

Systemic interventions for decarbonisation: The business perspective

Nordic Sustainability
This report advocates for a systemic approach to accelerate rapid decarbonisation, positioning innovative businesses to win from driving such an approach. The report evaluates the associated theoretical high-level insights in the case of the decarbonisation of the light road transport sector, proposing a set of principles for decarbonisation and mindset shifts for business innovators and incumbents.
Research
1 November 2022

The nature-based economy: How Australia’s prosperity depends on nature

Australian Conservation Foundation
This report highlights the link between nature and economic productivity in Australia. The report illustrates that approximately half of Australia’s GDP is directly dependent on specific ecosystem services derived from natural capital. The report sets out recommendations for action to halt and reverse the decline of nature in order to create a Nature Positive future.
Research
6 September 2022

Indigenous business growth: Working together to realise potential

Supply Nation
This report says that increasing support for Indigenous businesses could, in turn, lead to prosperity for all Australians. A higher level of commitment and collaboration from both business and government is required. Challenges facing Indigenous businesses include start-up funding, skills and support systems and lack of demand for services.
Research
9 October 2018

Accelerating change: The potential of capital market actors in addressing modern slavery

Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre
This report explores how capital market actors can play a crucial role in addressing modern slavery and offers good practice examples and actionable recommendations for asset owners, asset managers, private equity funds, stock exchanges, investment banks, and development finance institutions.
Research
10 October 2023

Doughnut design for business: DEAL’s guide to redesigning businesses through doughnut economics

Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL)
This report is a guide for businesses to redesign their operations based on Doughnut Economics principles that focus on deep transformation to become regenerative and distributive. It explores transformative ideas, redesign possibilities, impacts, dependencies, and current design barriers/enablers.
Research
1 February 2024

The future of investor engagement: A call for systematic stewardship to address systemic climate risk

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
This report provides a call to action for investors to engage in systematic stewardship to address systemic climate risk. It explores limitations of corporate engagement and presents alternative opportunities for engagement such as sector and value chain engagement, policy engagement, and asset manager engagement.
Research
5 May 2023

Materiality: The word that launched a thousand debates

This report explores the concept of materiality in the context of corporate sustainability disclosure. It discusses evolving definitions of materiality in the US and abroad, the need for a common language and structure for disclosure frameworks, and SASB's role in providing decision-useful and financially material information to investors and financial capital providers.
Research
14 May 2021

Finance and climate change: A comprehensive climate assessment of the world’s largest financial institutions

InfluenceMap
An analysis of the top 30 global financial institutions exposes a notable absence of immediate action on climate change. While pledging net-zero targets by 2050, their plans lack focus and lack measurable short-term actions. Urgent reshaping of activities is imperative for these institutions to effectively transition to a net-zero future.
Research
25 March 2022
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