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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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Elevating stakeholder voices to the board: A guide to effective governance
This guide offers Australian directors valuable insights on elevating stakeholder perspectives to the board, emphasising a broader view of corporate interests. It explores stakeholder governance, effective practices, and the advantages of integrating voices from employees, customers, suppliers, and the community into board-level decision-making.
The role of women on boards in corporate environmental strategy and financial performance: A global outlook
This paper examines the relationship between board gender diversity and environmental strategy and financial performance of firms. Empirical findings indicate that women on boards promote proactive environmental strategies leading to a sustained competitive advantage in both short-term and long-term financial performance.
Sustainable corporate governance and non-financial disclosure in Europe: Does the gender diversity matter?
This study explores the link between boardroom gender diversity and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure in European listed firms. The results show that having women directors improves ESG practices, potentially enhancing sustainable value creation for firms. The study recommends policy actions promoting gender equality in decision-making roles to further enhance corporate transparency and accountability.
Increasing female participation on boards: Effects on sustainability reporting
This study explores the relationship between board gender diversity and sustainability reporting using data from 2,116 banks over a ten-year period. Results indicate that having 22–50% female board members positively affects ESG disclosure, but beyond 50%, negative effects appear. It suggests that banks should mandate quotas to promote sustainable disclosure.
Global tipping points
The 2023 report explores ways to prevent potentially irreversible changes to the Earth's natural systems and recommends coordinated global action and governance. It also highlights positive tipping points in technology, economics, and society that can aid a sustainable future.
Adaptation, loss and damage: A global climate impact fund for climate justice
This report delves into climate justice amid anthropogenic climate change, advocating for a pilot Global Climate Impact Fund (GCIF). The fund aims to distribute the financial responsibility for the climate change transition based on attribution and contribution studies, employing standardised criteria. The report emphasises prioritising long-term resilience and sustainable development pathways.
Survival of the richest: How we must tax the super-rich now to fight inequality
This briefing paper highlights how taxing the super-rich is crucial in fighting inequality and addressing the multiple crises we are currently facing. The report provides practical solutions to raise taxes, while showcasing how decreasing economic inequality leads to decreasing gender, race, and colonial inequality.
Climate governance study 2024: Moving from vision to action
This study reveals that Australian directors increasingly prioritise climate change as a material governance issue. However, stakeholders are pulling in a variety of directions, making it challenging for organisations to execute their climate strategies. Policy uncertainty poses the most significant obstacle for climate governance, although the implementation of mandatory climate reporting from July 2025 presents an opportunity for greater accountability.
Towards financing large-scale holistic landscape restoration in Europe: Recommendations for EU policy actors to attain inspirational, social, natural and financial returns
The report provides financing recommendations for large-scale holistic landscape restoration in Europe, addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and food and water insecurity. It emphasises the effectiveness of landscape finance in promoting healthy ecosystems, offering practical frameworks for policymakers to accelerate impactful activities and align natural and community needs for comprehensive restoration.
Clearing the air: A case for investor action on air quality and a practical guide for getting started
This report summarises the health implications, financial risks, and actions investors and companies can take to reduce air pollution emit. It also highlights existing regulations across the world as well as upcoming sustainability reporting standards.
Financing the corporate climate transition with bonds: A step-by-step guide to issuing a corporate bond to finance the climate transition
This report is a step-by-step guide to help corporations issue bonds to finance the transition to a climate-friendly economy. It covers key financing terms, the issuance process, and reporting requirements.
Greenwashing: A governance perspective
This report provides an overview of greenwashing practices and their impact. The report expounds on the various forms of greenwashing and highlights the need for governance professionals to ensure accurate claims by companies. It also touches on Australia's legal and regulatory environment as regards greenwashing and contains helpful advice on how to manage it.
Reimagining country investing: A guide to capturing opportunities, managing risks and integrating sustainable-investment objectives
The paper offers insights for global investors on the benefits of constructing a diversified portfolio with country and regional-market allocation. The paper analyses variables such as GDP growth, innovation, thematic and geographic-revenue exposure and macroeconomic risks, while highlighting the role of sustainable finance in the process.
Deconstructing ESG ratings performance: Risk and return for E, S and G by time horizon, sector, and weighting
This article evaluates the relevance of key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and the importance of their pillars regarding risk and return using a comprehensive analysis of market performance. It additionally compares the weighting and performance of each pillar and key ESG issues.
Overcoming the myths of mainstream economics to enable a new wellbeing economy
This report discusses the flawed theoretical pillars of mainstream economics that support unsustainable environmental, social, and economic outcomes. The paper identifies paradoxes and delusions in theories related to efficiency, wealth, well-being, and economic growth. It argues that adopting a new approach that prioritises well-being can help overcome these challenges.
Climate contract playbook: Edition 2
This report presents a playbook of precedent clauses designed to address climate change risks and opportunities across different sectors and financing scenarios. The clauses, drafted by Hogan Lovells lawyers from over 60 jurisdictions, can be used in corporate and finance agreements to help achieve the Net Zero targets of the UK Government and others.