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The BankTrack human rights benchmark reports

BankTrack
The BankTrack Human Rights Benchmark series evaluates commercial banks globally, with a global and regional focus including Latin America, Asia, and Africa. It assesses 50 of the world’s largest private sector commercial banks against the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, examining policy commitments, due diligence, reporting, and remedy processes to ensure compliance with human rights standards.
Benchmark/series

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

Global coal exit list (GCEL)

Urgewald
The Global Coal Exit List (GCEL) is an online database offering detailed information on companies involved in coal mining, power generation, and associated infrastructure. It assists finance professionals in identifying and divesting from coal-related businesses, promoting sustainable finance practices aligned with reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Online tool/database

Sustainable investing: Evidence from the field

This report surveys 509 equity portfolio managers on how they integrate environmental and social (ES) factors into investment decisions. Over 75% of respondents, including traditional investors, use ES factors, driven primarily by financial motivations. Constraints such as fund mandates influence these decisions, but most managers avoid sacrificing financial returns for ES performance.
Research
23 September 2024

Modern slavery and remediation - an investor's guide

First Sentier Investors
This guide explores the role of investors in addressing modern slavery within their portfolios. It provides practical steps for identifying risks, engaging investee companies, and enabling remediation when harm occurs. It includes case studies, recommendations, and legal frameworks to help investors meet their obligations and protect human rights.
Research
18 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

The big three and board gender diversity: The effectiveness of shareholder voice

The report analyses how campaigns by major institutional investors significantly boosted gender diversity on corporate boards. From 2017 to 2019, these initiatives increased female directorships by encouraging firms to broaden candidate searches and reduce the focus on executive experience, indicating impactful, non-tokenistic change.
Research
25 November 2020

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

Climate warriors down under: Contextualising Australia’s youth climate justice movement

This report explores the youth-led climate justice movement in Australia, focusing on the socio-political context and challenges young activists face. It highlights the role of non-violent, collective action, key groups such as the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, and the impact of climate-related litigation cases, while addressing barriers like media bias and anti-protest laws.
Research
7 December 2023

Enhancing impact performance in agriculture through non-financial support and sustainable practices

Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
This report examines the relationship between sustainable agricultural practices and non-financial support in impact investments, highlighting how such support can enhance performance. Findings reveal that non-financial support improves outcomes for smallholder farmers, especially women, by increasing service provision and adoption of sustainable farming, contributing to resilience and profitability.
Research
13 December 2023

Divestment and engagement: The effect of green investors on corporate carbon emissions

This report investigates whether green investors influence corporate carbon emissions by either divesting from polluters or engaging with management through stock ownership. The findings suggest green investors significantly reduce emissions through active engagement, whereas divestment strategies may counterproductively increase emissions. The report highlights private markets’ potential to address environmental issues independently of government regulation.
Research
27 January 2024

ESG and executive remuneration in Europe

The report examines the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) metrics into executive compensation strategies within Europe's largest listed companies. It analyses how ESG targets influence remuneration policies and explores concerns regarding their effectiveness. The report also discusses policy implications, highlighting the need for stronger corporate culture shifts to ensure sustainable business practices.
Research
6 May 2024

A tool for developing credible transition plans: Public edition for asset owner pilot-testing

United Nations Environment Programme
This report provides asset owners with guidance for preparing and evaluating transition plans. It highlights key elements for credibility, outlines relevant frameworks, and offers recommendations for both preparers and users of transition plans, enhancing transparency and accountability in achieving net-zero goals.
Research
23 December 2023
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