Library | ESG issues
Access & Affordability
Ensuring access to essential products and services, particularly for underserved markets and populations. This includes addressing universal needs such as healthcare, financial services, utilities, education, and telecommunications. Companies involved in basic services, infrastructure, and affordable lending must manage related risks and opportunities, which can impact financial performance, regulatory exposure, and long-term resilience. Addressing access and affordability can also drive innovation, social impact, and inclusive economic growth, presenting investment opportunities.
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The 13th national risk assessment: Climate, The 6th “C” of Credit
The report analyses US climate-driven mortgage risk, showing floods as the dominant driver of post-disaster foreclosures. Rising insurance costs, coverage gaps and falling property values create hidden credit losses. It argues climate risk should be treated as a sixth core credit assessment factor.
Repurposing power markets: The path to sustainable and affordable energy for all
IFC’s report argues that repurposing power market designs is critical to achieving affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity. Drawing on global data, it finds competitive markets attract private capital, improve access and accelerate renewables, while recommending tailored reforms guided by innovation, integration and institutional strength.
Powering up the global south: The cleantech path to growth
The report argues the Global South is rapidly adopting cleantech as its cheapest growth pathway, driven by low energy access, limited fossil resources and abundant renewables. Falling costs, electrification and Chinese supply underpin accelerating solar and wind deployment, with fossil fuel demand for electricity expected to peak by 2030.
On the horizon: Climate-induced inflation and the price of food
This report analyses climate-driven food price inflation in the UK, linking global heat and drought shocks to rising import costs. It projects 25–34% cumulative food inflation by 2050, with disproportionate impacts on low-income households and increased poverty risks.
Climate extremes, food price spikes, and their wider societal risks
The report links unprecedented climate extremes to sharp food price spikes, documenting recent global cases. It finds these shocks worsen inequality, food security, health outcomes, inflation volatility and political stability, and argues for stronger mitigation, adaptation, forecasting and social safety nets to manage rising systemic risks.
Next to fall: The climate-driven insurance crisis is here and getting worse
The report analyses U.S. homeowners’ insurance non-renewals, showing strong links between climate risks, rising premiums, and declining coverage. It finds coastal and wildfire-exposed regions face pronounced instability, with risks spreading inland. The Committee warns that worsening insurability could erode property values and trigger broader financial impacts.
Moving forward imagining a sustainable transport system
The report outlines a universal basic services approach to UK transport, highlighting inequitable access, high emissions, and car dependence. It assesses current government reforms and recommends long-term, publicly oriented investment to expand affordable, integrated, low-carbon mobility, prioritising public transport and active travel within environmental limits.
Harmonised framework for impact reporting for social bonds handbook
The handbook provides a harmonised framework for issuers to report social bond impacts, outlining core reporting principles, target population disclosure, and preferred quantitative indicators. It introduces sector guidance—initially affordable housing—and offers templates to support consistent, transparent, and comparable impact reporting across social project categories.
Sustainable Finance Roundup November 2025: Transition Turning Points and Rising Accountability
This month’s sustainable-finance roundup highlights faster transition momentum, rising physical risks and a tightening focus on accountability. COP30 reinforced expectations for stronger 2035 targets, while national actions underscored diverging paths toward decarbonisation. Markets continued shifting toward clean energy and resilience, and new science made climate harms more visible. With regulatory scrutiny and litigation increasing, transition credibility and real-economy resilience are becoming core drivers of financial risk and investment decisions.
Net zero carbon buildings in cities: Interdependencies between policy and finance
This report analyses how cities can decarbonise buildings by mapping the interdependencies between policy and financial instruments and the barriers they address. It highlights priority actions for cooling, embodied carbon, adaptation and a just transition, outlining pathways that help cities sequence measures to accelerate net zero building outcomes.
Oxford university press
Oxford University Press (OUP) is a global academic and educational publisher. It operates as a department of the University of Oxford, producing textbooks, scholarly works, English language resources and reference works. OUP emphasises digital innovation, sustainability commitments, and broad international reach in research and education.
2025 World investment report: International investment in the digital economy
This report summarises international investment trends in the digital economy, focusing on data, digital infrastructure, and technology services. It highlights uneven global distribution, the role of multinational enterprises, and policy implications for sustainable development, emphasising the need for balanced regulatory frameworks and equitable access to digital opportunities worldwide.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a UN intergovernmental body that supports developing countries in trade, investment, finance and technology. It delivers data-driven policy analysis, technical cooperation and global consensus building to help countries integrate into the world economy and advance sustainable development.
Global outlook on financing for sustainable development 2025: Towards a more resilient and inclusive architecture
This report summarises global financing trends for sustainable development, noting investment gaps in developing economies, heightened debt vulnerabilities, and the need for coordinated reforms. It highlights the importance of blended finance, resilience-building, and aligning the international financial architecture to better support inclusive and sustainable growth.
EDHEC Business School
EDHEC Business School is an international, triple-accredited (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) business school with campuses in Lille, Nice, Paris, London and Singapore. It offers a broad portfolio of programmes like BBA, master's in management, MSc, MBA, PhD and executive education, emphasising research, global partnerships and real-world impact.
Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries monitors a world out of balance
This report presents an updated “Doughnut” framework, tracking 35 social and ecological indicators from 2000–2022. Findings show only modest progress on reducing deprivation, while ecological overshoot has worsened, with wealthier nations driving most impacts. The study highlights stark inequalities and calls for regenerative, distributive economic approaches.
