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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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Theorising unconventional climate advocates and their relationship to the environmental movement

This study theorises “unconventional climate advocates” and analyses their position within Australia’s environmental movement using social network analysis. It finds these advocates are peripheral yet potentially effective in engaging climate-hesitant constituencies by operating independently from conventional environmentalists.
Research
6 February 2025

Community estimate of global glacier mass changes from 2000 to 2023

This report analyses global glacier mass changes from 2000 to 2023. It identifies an annual loss of 273 gigatonnes, which accelerated by 36% in the period's latter half. Globally, glaciers shed approximately 5% of their volume, significantly exceeding losses from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets.
Research
19 February 2025

Combined climate stress testing of supply-chain networks and the financial system with nation-wide firm-level emission estimates

This study utilises comprehensive Hungarian firm-level data to stress-test the economy and banking system against carbon pricing shocks. While direct impacts at €45/t appear minimal, supply chain contagion significantly amplifies losses, potentially by 4000% if essential inputs cannot be substituted. This highlights critical risks in systemic supply network dependencies.
Research
30 January 2025

Tackling the transformation: The challenges of operationalizing corporate sustainability goals and how to overcome them

ERM SustainAbility Institute
ERM’s Transformation Survey analyses global corporate progress in operationalising sustainability goals. It finds stronger performance on social issues than climate or nature, identifies weak sustainability-linked incentives as the main barrier, and highlights underinvestment in training, incentives, and ESG data systems.
Research
13 February 2024

Guidance handbook: Sustainability-linked bonds

International Capital Market Association
The ICMA Guidance Handbook (November 2024) consolidates interpretative guidance on Green, Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles, covering use of proceeds, reporting, verification, secured bonds and market issues. It supports consistent application and market integrity across sustainable debt markets.
Research
11 April 2024

Corporate sustainability reporting

This conceptual paper examines corporate sustainability reporting, distinguishing investor-focused sustainability-related financial disclosure from broader impact reporting. It argues investor interests are imperfectly aligned with societal goals and concludes that complementary financial and impact reporting standards are needed to support accountability, capital allocation and sustainability transition.
Research
23 January 2025

Corporate sustainability and scandals

The report analyses global listed firms from 2010–2022 and finds that stronger alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals is associated with fewer, less severe corporate scandals, especially in highly scrutinised sectors such as energy and utilities, offering investors predictive insight beyond conventional ESG ratings.
Research
14 August 2024

Corporate manual: For setting science-based targets for nature

Science Based Targets Network (SBTN)
This manual provides practical guidance for companies to set science-based targets for nature, outlining a structured, science-led process to assess impacts, prioritise actions, and set targets across land, freshwater, climate, and biodiversity, supporting credible, transparent corporate sustainability action.
Research
7 August 2024

A theory of fair CEO pay

This research models executive pay where CEOs suffer disutility from 'unfair' wages. Firms motivate effort by threatening zero pay for poor performance, offering a fair output share only above a threshold. This rationalises performance-vesting equity and pay-for-performance structures even without traditional moral hazard incentives.
Research
15 October 2024

Globally representative evidence on the actual and perceived support for climate action

Using a survey of 130,000 people across 125 countries, the study finds strong global support for climate action, but widespread underestimation of others’ willingness to act. This perception gap may hinder cooperation; correcting it could materially strengthen climate action.
Research
9 February 2024

Navigating the corporate ego: Understanding the association between ESG performance and organizational narcissistic rhetoric

This study analyses 1,659 FTSE 350 observations to explore the link between ESG performance and organisational narcissistic rhetoric. Findings indicate that high ESG performance correlates with increased self-promoting language, though greater board gender diversity mitigates this effect. Additionally, strong financial results are positively associated with narcissistic corporate narratives.
Research
14 July 2025

Leveraging physical climate risk data

Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System (NGFS)
The report outlines data requirements for assessing physical climate risks, highlighting gaps in hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and adaptation information. It reviews emerging tools, stresses limitations in insurance and asset-level data, and recommends capacity building, collaboration, and improved data systems to enhance financial sector climate-risk analysis.
Research
29 September 2025

A just transition for the Amazon: A mission-oriented framework

UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose
A mission-oriented framework is proposed to drive a just transition in the Amazon by ending deforestation, restoring degraded land, and aligning green industrial strategies with local and Indigenous knowledge. It emphasises co-creation, redesigned public institutions, and partnerships that distribute benefits fairly while supporting sustainable, biodiversity-based development.
Research
24 October 2024

A bibliometric analysis of four decades of shareholder activism research

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
This bibliometric review of 1,055 works (1983–2021) charts the evolution of shareholder activism research. It highlights a shift from financial drivers to sustainability-oriented goals. While interdisciplinarity is increasing, disciplinary silos remain. The authors advocate for holistic approaches evaluating non-financial impacts alongside traditional metrics.
Research
19 February 2025

Private capital, public good: Building shared prosperity to create a resilient and inclusive economy

US Impact Investing Alliance
The report outlines bipartisan US federal policy recommendations to mobilise private capital for shared prosperity. It focuses on strengthening economic competitiveness, scaling community investing, and improving impact transparency to support inclusive growth, underinvested communities, and long-term economic resilience.
Research
12 October 2024

Artificial intelligence and human capital: Challenges for central banks

Bank for International Settlements
The report outlines how AI copilots and agents could reshape central bank roles, requiring extensive upskilling, revised workforce strategies and stronger governance. Talent shortages, regulatory constraints and cultural adaptation present key challenges as institutions transition to more AI-intensive operations.
Research
24 April 2025
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