Library | ESG issues

Carbon Intensive Industries

Carbon-intensive industries, such as fossil fuels, agriculture, and transport, are major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change. Investing in these industries can pose risks due to regulatory changes, reputational concerns, and shifting consumer preferences. Opportunities exist in technologies and practices that reduce carbon emissions.

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Climate finance

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
This report reviews research on climate finance, focusing on how climate risks affect financial markets. It discusses theoretical models and empirical evidence on pricing climate risk in equities, bonds, housing, and mortgages, and explores portfolio strategies for hedging. Future research directions in modelling, measurement, and financial stability are highlighted.
Research
10 December 2020

Externalities and the common owner

This article analyses how diversified institutional investors use shareholder power to internalise climate-related externalities. It shows that investor activism drives emissions reduction targets, climate risk disclosure, and shifts in corporate lobbying, reframing governance assumptions by prioritising portfolio-wide economic stability over individual firm profit maximisation.
Research
20 November 2021

Target-setting protocol fourth edition

United Nations Environment Programme
The report outlines the fourth edition of the Science Based Targets initiative’s target-setting protocol. It provides updated guidance, criteria, and methodology for companies to set near-term science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, aligning with 1.5°C pathways and incorporating broader coverage across sectors, geographies, and organisational boundaries.
Research
16 April 2024

Global pricing of carbon-transition risk

This report examines the global pricing of carbon-transition risk by assessing equity markets’ responses to climate policy and transition exposure. It analyses regional variations, sectoral impacts, and the role of carbon pricing in financial markets, highlighting implications for asset valuation and investment strategies.
Research
12 August 2023

MSCI ESG ratings in global equity markets: A long-term performance review

MSCI Inc.
This MSCI report reviews the long-term performance of ESG ratings in global and developed equity markets. It finds that higher-rated companies outperformed peers, driven by stronger earnings growth and dividend yields rather than valuation effects. MSCI ESG indexes also generally outperformed their benchmarks across regions and during crises.
Research
16 April 2024

Transition Pathway Initiative

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) is a global, asset-owner-led initiative assessing companies’ preparedness for the low-carbon transition. Featuring open-access ESG benchmarks, it evaluates Management Quality and Carbon Performance across high-emitting sectors, aiding investor decision-making and promoting climate-aligned corporate governance and transparency.
Organisation

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is an independent, non‑partisan, non‑profit focused on transforming global energy systems. It delivers market‑driven, clean energy and decarbonisation solutions—spanning policy, industry and communities—to advance affordable, zero‑carbon futures. RMI supports rapid energy transition and sustainable development through research, analysis and global collaboration.
Organisation

Greenhouse Gas Protocol

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol) sets globally recognised greenhouse-gas accounting standards and guidance. Developed by World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development, it enables businesses, governments and cities to measure, report and manage emissions—covering operations, value chains and mitigation actions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
Organisation
17 research items

Guidance for leveraging the Singapore-Asia taxonomy in green and transition financing

Singapore Sustainable Finance Association (SSFA)
This report provides practical guidance for applying the Singapore-Asia Taxonomy (SAT) in green and transition financing. It addresses data gaps, evolving criteria, transition plans, and scenarios where full alignment with SAT is not possible, promoting credible financing practices across Southeast Asia’s key sectors.
Research
10 July 2025

Singapore Sustainable Finance Association (SSFA)

Finance Industry Groups
Singapore Sustainable Finance Association (SSFA) supports Singapore’s emergence as a trusted, vibrant and inclusive sustainable‑finance centre. Established in January 2024 by Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and financial industry stakeholders, SSFA drives collaboration across financial, corporate and academic sectors via workstreams on taxonomy, carbon markets, transition finance, blended finance and natural capital.
Organisation
1 research item

GHG protocol calculation tools and guidance

World Resources Institute
The GHG Protocol’s calculation tools and guidance details Excel‑based, cross‑sector, sector‑specific, and country‑specific tools, including those for cities and countries. Each tool includes step‑by‑step guidance and emission factors to support accurate GHG inventory development in line with the Protocol’s standards
Online tool/database

The GHG protocol for project accounting

World Resources Institute
This report outlines standards and procedures for quantifying and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from mitigation projects. It provides a framework to estimate baseline emissions, assess additionality, and apply consistent accounting principles. The guide supports transparency, credibility, and harmonisation across project-based GHG initiatives.
Research
6 December 2005

A recommended methodology for estimating and reporting the potential greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel reserves

World Resources Institute
This working paper presents a methodology for fossil fuel companies to estimate and disclose potential greenhouse gas emissions from their reserves. It outlines seven steps for calculating emissions, addressing combustion, leakage, and storage factors, with the aim of improving transparency and enabling comparison across companies and alignment with climate targets.
Research
23 March 2023

Counterproductive sustainable investing: The impact elasticity of brown and green firms

Sustainable investing strategies that reallocate capital from brown to green firms may unintentionally worsen environmental outcomes. This study finds that green firms show minimal environmental improvement from lower capital costs, while brown firms become more polluting when financially constrained. Current investment approaches offer weak incentives for impactful emissions reductions.
Research
5 October 2024

University of Adelaide

Academic Institutions
The University of Adelaide, established in 1874, is Australia's third-oldest university and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight. Ranked among the top 100 globally, it offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Located in Adelaide, South Australia, the university is renowned for its research excellence and vibrant campus life.
Organisation
1 research item

Market Forces

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Market Forces works to hold financial institutions accountable for funding environmentally harmful projects. Based in Australia, it campaigns for banks, superannuation funds and governments to align investments with climate goals. Market Forces provides research, advocacy tools and transparency on fossil fuel financing to support climate-conscious financial decision-making.
Organisation
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