Library | Resource Types
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.
Refine
1075 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16
How just transition can help deliver the Paris Agreement
This report outlines how embedding just transition principles in climate strategies supports equitable decarbonisation. It presents trends, case studies, and a UNDP framework guiding countries to integrate socio-economic considerations into their Nationally Determined Contributions and Long-Term Strategies, promoting inclusive, sustainable development in line with the Paris Agreement.
Navigating portfolio exposure to conflict-affected and high-risk areas: Practical guidance for investor engagement with companies
This report offers practical guidance for investors engaging companies on managing conflict-affected and high-risk area (CAHRA) exposure. It highlights legal obligations, best practices in heightened human rights due diligence, and governance strategies, drawn from pilot dialogues with tech and renewable energy firms. Recommendations target risk mitigation aligned with global standards.
The saliency-materiality nexus: Addressing systemic risks to people and portfolios in a turbulent world
This report introduces the saliency-materiality nexus, a framework linking severe human rights harms to financially material risks in conflict-affected areas. It highlights case studies totalling over $85 billion in losses and offers guidance for investors on due diligence, portfolio risk management, and alignment with legal and ethical responsibilities.
How to identify human rights risks: A practical guide in due diligence
This guide outlines a structured approach for investors to identify and prioritise human rights risks across countries, sectors, and companies. It supports due diligence through risk mapping, severity assessment, and prioritisation frameworks, promoting responsible investment aligned with international human rights standards.
Human rights due diligence for private markets investors: A technical guide
This guide outlines how private markets investors can integrate human rights due diligence into investment processes, aligned with the UN Guiding Principles. It covers policy commitments, risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and remedy provision to address human rights impacts, mitigate risk, and meet evolving legal and societal expectations.
Pursuing impact within a portfolio: Insights from institutional asset owners
This report explores how institutional asset owners integrate impact goals into portfolio strategy. Through four case studies, it examines aligning financial returns with social and environmental outcomes using an impact lens. It highlights investment approaches addressing climate change, health, regional development and systemic inequality across diverse asset classes and geographies.
Recalibrating feedback loops: Guidance for asset owners and institutional investors assessing the influence of system-level investing
This report guides asset owners in assessing how their investments affect systemic environmental and social issues. It introduces a framework to align investment practices with system-level goals and improve financial system resilience. Case studies explore climate change, income inequality, and racial inequity to illustrate practical applications.
The imperative for impact management: Clarifying the relationship between impacts, system-wide risk and materiality
The report argues that managing environmental and social impacts is essential for sustainable financial performance. It connects impacts to both entity-specific and system-wide risks, urging enterprises, investors, and policymakers to adopt a unified, evidence-based impact management approach aligned with global sustainability goals and evolving disclosure standards.
Risky business: How Australian financial institutions are managing nature-related risks and opportunities
This report assesses how ten banks and ten super funds in Australia are addressing nature-related risks and opportunities. It evaluates their strategies, risk management, target setting, and stakeholder engagement, highlighting areas of progress and identifying where further action is needed to mitigate financial risks associated with nature loss.
Financing Africa's low carbon green economy transition: Africa's climate finance needs
This report outlines how African states must spend at least US$2.5tn by 2030 to meet climate commitments. It shows that emission reduction makes up close to 80% of spending, with plans for adaptation to climate change costed at US$418 billion.
Broadening the horizon: How CFOs and finance functions can help drive corporate sustainability
This report discusses the increasing need for businesses to prioritise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. It highlights the evolving role of CFOs and finance functions in integrating sustainability into business strategies and decision-making processes due to their expertise in data analysis, risk management, and strategic planning.
Climate risk and adaptation in global food
The report outlines rising climate risks to global food supply chains, projecting up to $38 trillion in damages by 2050. It explores mitigation and adaptation strategies across crops, livestock, and fisheries, and highlights investor actions to build resilience, support sustainable practices, and adapt to shifting market, environmental, and regulatory conditions.
A time for change in the sustainable fund market: Reflections and recommendations in a new regulatory environment
The report examines recent regulatory shifts in Europe and the UK affecting sustainable funds. It outlines rebranding impacts, highlights inconsistencies in fund categorisation, and stresses the need for broader sustainability definitions beyond the EU Taxonomy to avoid constraining investment opportunities and to better accommodate transition-related financial products.
Reconsidering the macroeconomic damage of severe warming
This study finds that accounting for global weather conditions significantly increases projected macroeconomic damage from climate change. Global GDP losses by 2100 may rise from ~11% to ~40% under high emissions. Incorporating global effects also reduces the optimal warming threshold from 2.7°C to 1.7°C, aligning with Paris Agreement targets.
Addressing biodiversity risk and opportunity at PensionDanmark
PensionDanmark developed a biodiversity strategy targeting its real estate and infrastructure assets to mitigate nature loss. It employs data-led initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and nature-based solutions to protect and restore biodiversity, aligning with EU taxonomy and Science Based Targets for Nature. Implementation includes construction screening, sustainable sourcing, and performance monitoring.
Landing the economic case for climate action with decision makers
The report outlines strategies to better communicate the economic rationale for climate action to decision makers. It examines barriers, including limited capacity and political constraints, and recommends clearer economic framing, stronger narratives, and alignment with national development goals to drive engagement and support for climate policies.