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The positive impact from sustainable finance, stewardship, and engagement

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Sustainability preferences: The role of beliefs

The study investigates how beliefs shape investor preferences for sustainable investments. Using incentivised survey methods, it finds that investors’ expectations of financial returns are higher for ESG-rated funds when aware of their ESG rating. This study highlights the biases in unincentivised surveys and the complex motivations driving socially responsible investments, suggesting that incentivised methods may better capture true investor beliefs about ESG fund performance.
Research
12 July 2024

Topo Finance's the carbon bankroll series

Topo Finance
This series explores how corporate cash and investments drive substantial carbon emissions through the financial system. It highlights the overlooked climate impact of cash held by corporations and offers insights for companies aiming to decarbonise their financial practices. The series provides guidance to help organisations align their financial management with climate goals, enabling proactive, systemic climate action.
Benchmark/series

Global partnerships case study: Measuring and managing financial inclusion outcomes

Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)
This case study explores how Global Partnerships adopts outcomes-focused impact measurement and management (IMM) practices. It highlights the importance of tracking both development and intermediate outcomes in financial inclusion to ensure investments genuinely benefit underserved populations and achieve measurable social impact while mitigating potential risks.
Case studies
19 October 2024

Investing for financial inclusion: Four enablers for outcomes measurement and management

Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)
The report outlines four essential factors for improving impact measurement and management (IMM) in financial inclusion. These enablers—shared IMM understanding, addressing operational barriers, integrating outcomes into decision-making, and enhancing transparency—aim to align stakeholders across the investment chain to prioritise developmental and intermediate outcomes for inclusive, sustainable finance.
Research
19 October 2024

How to do corporate impact investing

Impact Europe
This report outlines how corporate impact investing bridges business goals with positive social and environmental impact. It presents various corporate approaches, explores synergies with internal teams, and identifies strategic benefits, including scaling innovation, aligning with corporate purpose, and accessing new markets. Practical steps guide companies in structuring, engaging stakeholders, and initiating investments for maximum impact.
Research
6 June 2024

Mobilizing finance for nature-based solutions: New business opportunities and capital flows

SMBC
The report explores the role of financial institutions in driving investments towards nature-positive initiatives. It highlights key challenges and opportunities in biodiversity financing, focusing on innovative financial models, carbon markets, and ecosystem service monetisation. The report presents case studies from Southeast Asia and proposes solutions like blended finance to de-risk projects and enhance collaboration across sectors.
Research
16 October 2024

Integrated profit and loss reporting

Stockholm Resilience Centre
This brief presents a framework for integrated profit and loss (IP&L) reporting that includes financial, natural, human, and social capital. It aims to quantify corporate impacts beyond financial capital, providing a comprehensive view of business performance. The IP&L approach helps businesses align sustainability with corporate accountability, benefiting stakeholders.
Research
1 June 2019

Young women's financial inclusion: What works

Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)
The report explores strategies for financially including young women, particularly in low-income countries. It highlights key components such as product design, delivery, financial capability building, and social intermediation, and addresses how financial services can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different segments of young women, making it both impactful and commercially viable for financial service providers.
Research
10 October 2024

Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact

McKinsey & Company
This report demonstrates that diverse leadership teams are linked to stronger financial performance, higher social and environmental impact, and more satisfied workforces. Covering data from 1,265 companies across 23 countries, the report highlights that companies with greater gender and ethnic diversity are more likely to outperform peers and contribute to sustainable, inclusive growth.
Research
5 December 2023

Policy model for gender-inclusive finance

Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI)
This paper outlines key strategies for policymakers and regulators to foster women's financial inclusion. It emphasises addressing societal barriers, leveraging digital financial services, and promoting regulatory frameworks. By advancing gender equity in finance, it contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on economic empowerment, reducing inequalities, and fostering inclusive growth.
Research
5 September 2024

Australian Sustainable Finance Capability Framework: Pilot version

Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI)
The Australian Sustainable Finance Capability Framework outlines key skills needed to support the sustainable finance sector in Australia. It addresses areas like risk management, transition planning, and sustainable financial products, aiming to upskill professionals. This pilot version is open for feedback to refine the framework, enhancing its effectiveness across the industry.
Research
17 October 2024

Understanding the drivers of investment portfolio decarbonisation

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
The report discusses emissions attribution analysis for net-zero investment portfolios. It highlights key decarbonisation drivers, including portfolio reallocation, real-world emissions reductions, and changes in data coverage. The analysis helps financial professionals understand and steer investment strategies toward decarbonisation, aligning with climate goals set by the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance.
Research
11 December 2023

Circular economy in the industrial goods sector: A framework for understanding private sector progress and innovation

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
This report outlines circular economy practices within the industrial goods sector, assessing actions taken by approximately 50 companies. It categorises their efforts into five key areas, highlighting examples of innovation and collaboration to advance sustainability while minimising waste and resource consumption in production processes.
Research
29 May 2024

The role of commercial paper in the sustainable finance market

International Capital Market Association
This report explores the growing role of commercial paper (CP) in sustainable finance, focusing on its use in financing green and sustainable projects. It categorises CP into Use of Proceeds and Sustainability-Linked CP, discussing market data, feasibility, and challenges.
Research
8 October 2024

Finance for nature positive: Building a working model

Finance for Biodiversity Foundation
The paper seeks feedback from the financial sector on a proposed model for aligning finance with nature-positive outcomes. It provides strategies and definitions aimed at guiding financial institutions in contributing to global biodiversity goals, helping to mitigate negative impacts while supporting nature-positive financial practices. The paper outlines key actions financial institutions can take to improve biodiversity outcomes.
Research
23 September 2024

Investment framework for nutrition 2024

The World Bank
This is a comprehensive guide to addressing malnutrition. It emphasises cost-effective interventions, multisectoral approaches, and policy measures that integrate gender and climate change considerations. Expanding on the 2017 framework, it includes new evidence on interventions and financing strategies to improve nutrition outcomes globally, while aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2.2.
Research
2 October 2024
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