Library | ESG issues
Child Labour
Child labour refers to work that deprives children of their childhood, education, potential, and dignity, and is harmful to their physical and mental development. This includes work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and interferes with education. High-risk sectors include agriculture, mining, textiles, and manufacturing, where children are often engaged in hazardous conditions. The prevalence of child labour poses significant reputational, legal, and operational risks for companies, influencing investor decisions and corporate engagement strategies.
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Integrating child rights across the ASX: A UNICEF investor tool benchmarking report series
This benchmark report series, "Integrating Child Rights across the ASX," by UNICEF and Ethical Partners Funds Management, assesses and guides ASX companies on integrating children's rights into ESG practices, offering a framework and practical steps for improvement.
Tobacco free portfolios: The toolkit 12th edition
This toolkit offers a framework for finance professionals to invest in tobacco-free portfolios. The toolkit covers various areas including the Tobacco-Free Finance Pledge, prospective investment risks and case studies, with a call to action for the industry to follow.
Rules of the game: An introduction to the standards-related work of the International Labour Organization
This report introduces the standards-related work of the International Labour Organization, aimed at improving labour conditions and protecting workers' rights worldwide. It describes the processes for adopting labour standards and includes an outline of the topics covered by these standards, along with a discussion of their benefits.
Bridging ESG silos: The intersection of climate change and modern slavery
This briefing for investors examines the intersection of climate change and modern slavery. It details how environmental and social risks are interconnected and can materially affect a company's long-term profitability. The report provides case studies and tools to help investors identify, assess, and respond to these risks in their portfolios.
Xinjiang supply chain business advisory addendum
This US Government advisory highlights continuing reports of forced labour and human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, and reminds businesses of their obligations under relevant US laws. The report contains information on risks in supply chains and implementation and enforcement of relevant laws.
The climate crisis is a child rights crisis: Introducing the Children's Climate Risk Index
The report highlights how one billion children are at extreme risk due to climate change with small island states and countries already facing existential threats. It is a call to action for businesses and governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and commit to sustainable practices.
The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) base code
This report describes the ETI Base Code, an internationally recognised code of good labour practice promoting ethical trade. Its nine standards aim to protect workers and prevent exploitation in global supply chains. The code is implemented by forward-thinking companies, trade unions, and NGOs to promote decent work.
Financial crime compliance to fight modern slavery and human trafficking
This blueprint urges financial institutions to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery, suggesting that both are a financial crime and compliance risk, and warns against wholesale de-risking. This report outlines strategies for detecting financing of such illegal activities, reducing risk, and government action towards AML/CFT risk assessments, ahead of regulatory fines and sanctions in jurisdictions worldwide.
Child-lens investing framework
This report introduces the Child-Lens Investing Framework, an approach to impact investing designed to guide investors to invest using a child-centric lens. The report provides an overview of the framework's various components and explores its alignment with leading responsible and impact investing standards and frameworks.
Child-lens investing framework: Private equity and debt investor toolkit
The toolkit provides guidelines on investing with a child-lens impact strategy, including a child-lens taxonomy, reflection, contribution, and assessment. Six investors tested and refined the framework with case studies.
Engaging the ICT sector on human rights: Child rights
This briefing explores the risks and opportunities Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) companies face in relation to children's rights. It highlights the importance of adhering to international standards and implementing internal policies and practices that prioritise the most severe impacts on children. Investors are encouraged to hold companies accountable.
Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)
Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a leading organisation dedicated to promoting ethical and responsible business practices globally. Explore their initiatives fostering fair working conditions, responsible supply chains, and collaboration between companies, trade unions, and NGOs. Gain insights into creating a more ethical and sustainable business environment.
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch investigates and reports on abuses happening around the world, comprising 550 plus people of 70-plus nationalities who are country experts, lawyers, journalists, and others who work to protect the most at risk, from vulnerable minorities and civilians in wartime, to refugees and children in need.
Beyond compliance in the finance sector: A review of statements produced by asset managers under the UK Modern Slavery Act
This report emphasises that investors should recognise their leverage towards addressing modern slavery risks in their financial activities, including investment portfolios and their supply chains. The report is part of a wider supply chain transparency project to advocate for Modern Slavery Acts globally, by engaging governments and partnering with businesses.
Blueprint for business leadership on the SDGs: A principles-based approach
Business cannot thrive unless people and planet are thriving. This publication presents a framework for the next generation of business leadership with the intention to foster contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at scale.
Providing decent work for young workers, parents and caregivers
Provides guidance for companies to fulfil their responsibility to support the decent work of young workers, parents and caregivers across their supply chains. Includes a case study on IKEA’s approach to supporting children’s rights and a second case study on Wipro’s approach to gender diversity.
