Library | ESG issues
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are interconnected principles aimed at fostering fair treatment and full participation within organisations. Diversity refers to the presence of differences among people, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, and other attributes. Equity involves ensuring impartiality and fairness in processes and programs, striving to provide equal possible outcomes for every person. Inclusion is the practice of creating environments where all people feel a sense of belonging, ensuring they are comfortable and supported in being their authentic selves. Effective DEI practices enhance organisational performance, productivity and employee retention.
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DAX-AEX Futureproof Index Report
The DAX-AEX Futureproof Index Report is a benchmark series that ranks DAX and AEX-listed companies using an Integrated Value framework combining financial, social, and ecological value. It produces a Futureproofing Ratio to assess long-term corporate value creation and transition risk across sectors and economies.
Anti-harassment policy and the startup labor market
This paper studies the effects of state-level NDA-weakening laws on hiring in over 50,000 U.S. VC-backed startups from 2014–2022. Anti-harassment reforms reduce female hiring by approximately 8%, concentrated among junior women and small startups, while also triggering internal restructuring including more female promotions and male manager departures.
Just transition in action: Complement to NZIF supplementary guidance for just transition
Produced by IIGCC with support from AIGCC, IGCC, and Ceres, this report complements the NZIF Supplementary Guidance on Just Transition. It provides practical case studies and frameworks to help investors integrate social equity considerations into climate-aligned investment strategies across internal direction, asset alignment, and external engagement.
Voice without influence? Global investor voting rationale disclosures in Korea
This study examines whether global institutional investors’ voting rationale disclosures influence Korean firms’ gender diversity and climate-related policies. It finds stronger investor focus on board gender diversity than climate risk, limited influence on large firms, greater impact on smaller firms’ emissions reductions, and evidence that voting rationales affect the credibility of sustainability reporting.
Closing the loop: The quest for gender parity in African tech
This report examines gender parity in Africa's technology sector. While Africa leads in women's STEM representation globally, significant drop-offs occur at key career stages. The research identifies barriers such as biases and funding gaps, offering actionable strategies to enhance recruitment, support career progression, and increase access to start-up financing.
Indigenous wisdom and co-creation towards decolonisation: A review of Indigenous inclusion in management education
This review finds Western business schools have often excluded Indigenous knowledge, and argues decolonising management education requires Indigenous self-determination, truth-telling, trust-building, co-created curricula and relational pedagogies grounded in Indigenous wisdom and communities.
Advancing gender equality through gender lens investing
Examines gender lens investing as an approach integrating gender analysis into investment decisions to promote equality and returns. Outlines strategies, benefits, challenges, and case studies, linking to SDGs and emphasising measurement, engagement, and diverse investment practices.
Women's Equality in the Workplace Top 100 Ranking
Equileap's 2025 Top 100 ranking of public companies in developed markets scored on women's equality in the workplace using 19 gender equality indicators.
Advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment: Target setting guidance for banks
This guidance outlines how banks can set and implement measurable targets to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment across leadership, portfolios, financial inclusion and ecosystems, aligned with the Principles for Responsible Banking and Women’s Empowerment Principles.
Endowment impact benchmark series
The Endowment Impact Benchmark is a benchmark series that provides a structured assessment and benchmarking framework for endowments and foundations. It evaluates policies, governance, management and transparency related to sustainable and impact investing, enabling consistent comparison and ongoing progress tracking across participating institutions.
Report of the working group on the universal periodic review
The report presents Norway’s fourth Universal Periodic Review, outlining human rights commitments, recent legal reforms, and policy measures. It records peer State feedback and extensive recommendations covering equality, child welfare, Indigenous rights, migration, climate action, and business and human rights, for Norway’s consideration and follow-up.
Navigating the corporate ego: Understanding the association between ESG performance and organizational narcissistic rhetoric
This study analyses 1,659 FTSE 350 observations to explore the link between ESG performance and organisational narcissistic rhetoric. Findings indicate that high ESG performance correlates with increased self-promoting language, though greater board gender diversity mitigates this effect. Additionally, strong financial results are positively associated with narcissistic corporate narratives.
Advancing women’s financial inclusion: Guidelines to adopt a gender perspective in financial institutions
The report outlines guidelines for financial institutions to integrate gender perspectives across governance, management, staffing, communications, and product design. It promotes data-driven policies, bias reduction, inclusive culture, tailored financial solutions for women, and strategic partnerships to enhance women’s financial inclusion and strengthen institutional performance.
Equileap
Equileap is a global leader in workplace equality research offering a comprehensive database of over 6,000 companies’ gender, race/ethnicity and LGBTQ+ diversity metrics. It supports asset managers and pension funds in integrating equality into investment decisions and building sustainable portfolios aligned with social-impact and ESG criteria.
Committee diversity effect on corporate investment risk practices
This study investigates how diversity within corporate committees influences investment risk practices among ASX 300 firms (2018–2020). Using a composite index of gender, independence, and non-executive representation, the authors find that greater committee diversity enhances long-term strategic investment decisions and efficiency, improving governance and financial performance.
Navigating diversity, equity and inclusion: An asset owner perspective
This report summarises how asset owners integrate diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) into organisational policies, investment management and stewardship. Drawing on interviews with 21 organisations, it highlights varying maturity levels, regulatory developments, data challenges and best practices shaping DE&I implementation across the pensions and investment industry.
