This report focuses on the perceived purpose-gap in the banking sector wherein banks are not fulfilling their role to create positive economic, social and environmental outcomes. Filling this gap requires leveraging ‘systemic intrapreneurs’ within organisations to holistically shift banking strategy.

United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) has improved financial inclusion, through implementing its Expanding Financial Access and Digital and Financial Literacy (REFAD) program in Rwanda, and by working with local partners to help cater digital financial solutions and improve financial literacy for rural and refugee communities.

Elinor Ostrom examines the management of common-pool resources such as rivers, bridges and grazing areas. Ostrom discusses the ‘tragedy of the commons’ and environmental, economic and social threats to common-pool resources. Ostrom applies political and economic theory and policy literature to discuss potential solutions and challenge conventional approaches.

The paper has a theoretical focus and looks at the risks associated with transitioning to a low-carbon economy. It looks to highlight externalities that may not be factored into risk models. It concludes in favour of a case of policy intervention and more sophisticated modelling to counter potential market failures.

Companies with a gender diverse board and stronger talent management practices enjoyed higher growth in employee productivity compared to companies with a diverse board only or with strong talent management practices only. Companies with mostly male boards and lagging talent management practices had the lowest rates of employee productivity growth.

This report proposes a framework for financial institutions to consider biodiversity-related liability risks in their broader assessment of financial risks associated with biodiversity. Understanding the potential of liability risks will help financial institutions identify, price and mitigate the direct and indirect impacts of biodiversity-related risks.

This article explores the role of financial markets in capitalising low-carbon energy systems and long-term change. Ultimately, the authors contend that current assumptions on efficient market behaviour do not fit the energy industry, and to reliably capitalise on low-carbon transitions, an adaptive market assumption should be held.

To overcome climate action inertia that many governments are experiencing, the paper proposes that health can be used as a core motivator for climate action. This idea is explored through the case study of the Obama administration’s climate mitigation policies.

Reviews new ways central banks can address the risk climate change poses to financial stability. To avoid "green swan" risks, central banks should develop forward-looking scenario-based analysis to understand climate-related risk and coordinate with other major players to develop and integrate climate mitigation policies at the international level.

Provides guidance for companies to fulfil their responsibility to support the decent work of young workers, parents and caregivers across their supply chains. Includes a case study on IKEA’s approach to supporting children’s rights and a second case study on Wipro’s approach to gender diversity.

The study sets out to examine the relationship between institutional investors and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Specifically, the researchers examine whether an institutional investor’s level of ownership in a firm can influence its CRS commitments and whether different levels of shareholder “attention” affect the portfolio firm’s CSR commitments.

This investment framework is for Indigenous organisations with accumulated capital. It outlines principles that empower local organisations to take control of their financial assets. It guides thinking about the purpose, governance and investment of financial resources to better protect interests for current and future generations, particularly for culture and heritage.

Corporate action towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be fundamental to achieve necessary progress. This report aims to guide corporations on how and why to report on the SDGs and gives an overview of current progress based on the top 250 global companies.

This 2015 report is a meta-study of over 200 sources of research on ESG (academic studies, industry reports, newspaper articles and books). It finds a positive correlation between diligent ESG and economic performance – i.e., companies with robust sustainability practices demonstrate better operational and financial market performance.

This project aims to make corporate political capture a central component of investors’ approach to ESG stewardship and integration. It leverages information on the state of play for key sectors and shares lessons learned from past investor engagements, including a 12-step process for ESG investors to address negative corporate lobbying.

Expert recommendations for investors regarding financial market strategies to address urgent risks in biodiversity and nature, including examples of meaningful market actions and critique of 'win-win' thinking in investment decision-making. Recommendations drawn from a private cross-sectoral dialogue hosted by Preventable Surprises in February 2021.