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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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Human rights and climate change: A guide for institutional investors

Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler International (KPMG International)
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.
Research
9 December 2021

The intersection of Responsible AI and ESG: A framework for investors

CSIRO
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.
Research
23 April 2024

Anticipatory finance: An introductory guide

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDDR)
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.
Research
22 April 2024

Financial crimes and land conversion: Uncovering risk for financial institutions

World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund – WWF)
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.
Research
22 April 2024

Respecting Indigenous rights: An actionable due diligence toolkit for institutional investors

Amazon Watch
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.
Research
26 April 2023

Impact at scale

Social Ventures Australia
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.
Research
23 February 2024

Is CSRD working for financial institutions? A look into how CSRD is being rolled out across the financial sector

Nordic Sustainability
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.
Research
16 April 2024

Bankrolling ecosystem destruction: The EU must stop the cash flow to businesses destroying nature

Greenpeace
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.
Research
29 March 2024

Navigating transition finance: An action list

CFA Institute
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.
Research
26 March 2024

Great expectations: Is engagement living up to its promise?

PGIM
This report examines whether engagement activities deliver impactful sustainability outcomes, comparing systemic and company-specific engagement. It encourages investors to align engagement goals with investment views, distinguishes escalation mechanisms for equity and debt investors, and emphasises financial materiality for achievable, value-enhancing outcomes. Investors are reminded of their fiduciary responsibility to clients and stakeholders.
Research
20 March 2024

Social and Human Capital Protocol

Capitals Coalition (CapsCo)
This protocol sets out principles for valuing human and social capital, helping businesses to measure the value of community relationships and employee talent. The goal is to help businesses make truly sustainable decisions; however, this is a nascent field requiring more detailed data, and tailored techniques, to ensure more accurate results.
Research
5 March 2019

Accounting for impact: Financial and sustainability reporting of relocating graves in South Africa

Capitals Coalition (CapsCo)
This report delves into reporting sustainability impacts alongside financial data, using the case of relocating graves due to mining in South Africa. It highlights the necessity of clearer disclosure guidelines, improved stakeholder engagement, cultural heritage preservation, and recognising societal implications beyond financial metrics. Companies must navigate complexities and prioritise transparency.
Research
11 March 2024

Empowering key development finance institutions in Asia to accelerate the decarbonization of the energy sector

World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund – WWF)
The report outlines Asia's challenges to decarbonising energy while driving economic development. It suggests there is significant room for improvement among regional banks and to achieve their commitments to the Paris Agreement, firms need to implement more stringent sustainable finance policies.
Research
6 January 2024

Considering social factors in pension scheme investments: Guide from the Taskforce on Social Factors

Taskforce on Social Factors
This final report identifies social risks and opportunities that can be addressed by trustees, industry, and policymakers. The guide outlines frameworks of good practice and materiality assessment, with data sources to support the assessment and provides practical assistance to enable consideration of social factors within their investments.
Research
6 March 2024

Artificial intelligence risk management framework (AI RMF 1.0)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
This framework is a guide to promote safe, secure and transparent use of AI systems. The Framework provides four key functions – govern, map, measure and manage - with further categories and subcategories for risk management in AI systems.
Research
25 January 2023

Human rights and technology: Final report

Australian Human Rights Commission
The report highlights how Australia can achieve innovation while upholding human rights. It offers recommendations on how to protect and promote human rights while responsibly using new technologies. The Commission consulted industry, government, civil society, academia, and leading experts worldwide, producing a template for further accountability and human rights protection.
Research
8 March 2021
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