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
1157 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16
The impact of physical and transition climate risk on asset valuation
This report analyses the interaction between physical and transition climate risks, showing their inverse relationship and implications for asset valuation. Using an extended DICE model, it quantifies how abatement policies affect costs and damages, links findings to SSP/RCP scenarios, and highlights valuation headwinds for global equities under varying decarbonisation pathways.
Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries monitors a world out of balance
This report presents an updated “Doughnut” framework, tracking 35 social and ecological indicators from 2000–2022. Findings show only modest progress on reducing deprivation, while ecological overshoot has worsened, with wealthier nations driving most impacts. The study highlights stark inequalities and calls for regenerative, distributive economic approaches.
Place-based just transition: Policy baseline and case studies
This report from the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change analyses place-based just transition policies in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan. It outlines market-specific policy baselines, labour and social dynamics, financing needs and case studies, providing investors and policymakers with insights into ensuring equitable low-carbon transitions in Asia.
Climate finance
This report reviews research on climate finance, focusing on how climate risks affect financial markets. It discusses theoretical models and empirical evidence on pricing climate risk in equities, bonds, housing, and mortgages, and explores portfolio strategies for hedging. Future research directions in modelling, measurement, and financial stability are highlighted.
Corporate governance and equity prices
This report examines the link between shareholder rights and corporate performance in the 1990s. Using a Governance Index across 1,500 firms, it finds that stronger shareholder rights were associated with higher valuations, profits, and growth, while weaker rights correlated with lower performance and abnormal underperformance.
Enel: Industry case studies: Electric utility
This report presents Enel’s case study on implementing CFO Principles for the SDGs. It outlines historical drivers, sustainability disruption, strategic responses, and SDG investments, highlighting decarbonisation, electrification, and financial performance assessment. The report details Enel’s renewable energy expansion, SDG alignment, and integration of sustainability outcomes with financial results.
Presidential address: Sustainable finance and ESG issues: Value versus values
This report examines how investor and manager motivations—driven by either financial value or personal values—shape sustainable finance and ESG practices. It highlights definitional ambiguities, performance debates, and cultural differences, calling for clearer research to distinguish pecuniary risk-return considerations from non-pecuniary preferences in ESG investing.
Sustainable investing in practice: Objectives, beliefs, and limits to impact
This paper surveys 509 equity portfolio managers on their treatment of environmental and social factors. Findings show most prioritise financial returns, with limited willingness to sacrifice performance. ES constraints from mandates, policies, and client values strongly influence decisions. Beliefs and constraints outweigh fund labels in shaping sustainable investing practices.
The just transition: How two investors are tackling its social implications
This report by PRI outlines how Fonds de Solidarité FTQ and Ircantec integrate just transition principles into investment strategies. It highlights measures to support decarbonisation, quality jobs, community engagement, sustainable real estate, and shareholder dialogue, linking social considerations with environmental goals in advancing a low-carbon economy.
Target-setting protocol fourth edition
The report outlines the fourth edition of the Science Based Targets initiative’s target-setting protocol. It provides updated guidance, criteria, and methodology for companies to set near-term science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, aligning with 1.5°C pathways and incorporating broader coverage across sectors, geographies, and organisational boundaries.
The end of ESG: Financial management, forthcoming
This report argues that ESG is both essential and ordinary: vital as a driver of long-term value but not unique compared to other intangibles such as culture or innovation. It cautions against over-emphasising ESG metrics, politicisation, and superficial classification, advocating instead a broader focus on overall sustainable value creation.
Global pricing of carbon-transition risk
This report examines the global pricing of carbon-transition risk by assessing equity markets’ responses to climate policy and transition exposure. It analyses regional variations, sectoral impacts, and the role of carbon pricing in financial markets, highlighting implications for asset valuation and investment strategies.
Survey of CFA institute members on latest ESG matters
The CFA Institute survey (Nov 2021) captures member views on ESG integration and sustainability reporting. Respondents support flexibility in ESG integration, oppose government mandates, and favour global product disclosure standards. They also prefer mandatory, globally consistent sustainability reporting with regulatory frameworks in place before adoption.
One hundred and thirty years of corporate responsibility
This report develops a 130-year index (ESIX) measuring public attention to environmental and social issues in business using historical news data. Findings show that such attention rises during instability (social) or prosperity (environmental), depresses short-term investment efficiency, but improves investment outcomes over longer horizons.
ESG and responsible institutional investing around the world: A critical review
This report reviews global ESG and responsible investing practices, focusing on definitions, regulation, climate finance, and institutional investor roles. It evaluates evidence from academic research and PRI data, highlighting investor influence, governance, and engagement strategies, while noting challenges around ratings, greenwashing, and measuring real outcomes.
City development limited: Industry case studies: Real estate
City Developments Limited outlines its sustainability strategy, focusing on climate resilience, stakeholder engagement, and SDG-aligned investments. The report details historical drivers, innovation in green building, ESG integration, and financial performance, highlighting case studies on technology adoption and partnerships to advance low-carbon operations and responsible real estate growth.