Library | ESG issues

Environmental

The environmental pillar in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) assesses an organisation’s impact on the planet. It includes issues such as climate change, biodiversity, waste management and water management. Strong environmental practices help businesses reduce risks, comply with regulations, and drive long-term sustainability.

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Superannuation fund trustee duties and climate change risk

Equity Generation Lawyers
This report analyses the duties of trustee directors in relation to climate change risk under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993. It concludes that climate change risk should be considered by trustee directors to the extent that risks intersect with beneficiaries' financial interests. Trustees should weigh relevant information and keep records documenting the decision-making process.
Research
15 June 2017

Failure by design: Is the net zero asset managers initiative broken?

Danu Insight
This initiative was designed to align asset managers' portfolios with net-zero targets. However, their methodology lacks standardisation and rigour, leading to ambiguous targets and little progress towards net zero. An overhaul of the initiative is needed to ensure asset managers are held accountable.
Research
3 October 2022

Superannuation fund trustee duties and climate change - updated memorandum of opinion 2021

Equity Generation Lawyers
This is an updated memorandum of opinion with the last one given in 2017. The report looks at recent regulatory and industry statements and develops a two-step approach superannuation trustees should take to remain compliant with their regulatory obligations. Trustees must understand the risk posed by climate change to investments and manage any identified risks.
Research
16 February 2021

Australia's future gas strategy: Corporate advocacy and industry narratives

InfluenceMap
This report analyses the responses to Australia's Future Gas Strategy by corporate entities and industry associations from the country's fossil fuel value chain. It sheds light on the advocacy for expanding fossil gas supply, which contradicts the science-based policies to meet global climate goals, while showing a lack of positive engagement from non-fossil fuel corporations.
Research
23 February 2024

Sustainable investing capabilities of private banks

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
This report presents the findings of research into the sustainable investing capabilities of private banks, including governance, sustainability risk, and client interactions. The report notes progress among leading banks but highlights the need for continuing education for client advisors and improved ESG and impact reporting and monitoring capabilities.
Research
26 May 2022

The hidden risk in state pensions: Analysing state pensions’ responses to the climate crisis in proxy voting

Stand.earth
This report analyses the proxy voting strategies of 19 state pensions, as well as the five New York City Comptroller systems, managing over US$2 trillion in assets. Results reveal that most pensions failed to address climate-related financial risk, especially in areas such as lobbying, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights.
Research
24 January 2024

The global GHG accounting and reporting standard for the financial industry series

Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials
Standardised methodologies for financial institutions to measure and disclose financed GHG emissions across ten asset classes under scope 3 category 15.
Benchmark/series
1 December 2025

Climate governance study 2024: Moving from vision to action

Australian Institute of Company Directors
This study reveals that Australian directors increasingly prioritise climate change as a material governance issue. However, stakeholders are pulling in a variety of directions, making it challenging for organisations to execute their climate strategies. Policy uncertainty poses the most significant obstacle for climate governance, although the implementation of mandatory climate reporting from July 2025 presents an opportunity for greater accountability.
Research
5 March 2024

Towards financing large-scale holistic landscape restoration in Europe: Recommendations for EU policy actors to attain inspirational, social, natural and financial returns

Commonland
The report provides financing recommendations for large-scale holistic landscape restoration in Europe, addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and food and water insecurity. It emphasises the effectiveness of landscape finance in promoting healthy ecosystems, offering practical frameworks for policymakers to accelerate impactful activities and align natural and community needs for comprehensive restoration.
Research
30 November 2023

Clearing the air: A case for investor action on air quality and a practical guide for getting started

ShareAction
This report summarises the health implications, financial risks, and actions investors and companies can take to reduce air pollution emit. It also highlights existing regulations across the world as well as upcoming sustainability reporting standards.
Research
18 January 2024

Global tipping points

Global Systems Institute (University of Exeter)
The 2023 report explores ways to prevent potentially irreversible changes to the Earth's natural systems and recommends coordinated global action and governance. It also highlights positive tipping points in technology, economics, and society that can aid a sustainable future.
Research
5 December 2023

UN Environment Programme's adaptation gap report series

United Nations Environment Programme
The Adaptation Gap Report series provides yearly updates on global progress in climate change adaptation. It assesses the status of adaptation planning, implementation, and finance, highlighting the increasing gap between the need for adaptation and the actions taken.
Benchmark/series
10 November 2023

Adaptation, loss and damage: A global climate impact fund for climate justice

Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
This report delves into climate justice amid anthropogenic climate change, advocating for a pilot Global Climate Impact Fund (GCIF). The fund aims to distribute the financial responsibility for the climate change transition based on attribution and contribution studies, employing standardised criteria. The report emphasises prioritising long-term resilience and sustainable development pathways.
Research
27 November 2023

Building capacity for the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework: What can we learn from countries' experiences and UNFCCC processes?

World Resources Institute
This report outlines the necessity of capacity building to enhance transparency in the Paris Agreement. The report uses 13 case studies to highlight challenges in implementing transparency requirements and six lessons for effective capacity building. International initiatives and support programs are discussed to inform the construction of transparent and sustainable climate governance.
Research
26 March 2019

RIAA's benchmarking impact investing series

Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA)
This is a series of benchmark reports providing comprehensive insights into the impact investing market in Australia. It covers investor motivations, market size, and performance metrics, aiding stakeholders in understanding and enhancing their impact investment strategies.
Benchmark/series

A well-being framework for cross-cultural assessment of development scenarios: A case study from North-Western Australia

This research paper evaluates the effectiveness of a well-being framework developed to assess alternative future development scenarios for the Martuwarra (Fitzroy River) in Western Australia. The framework was culturally sensitive and assisted a multicultural group in assessing scenarios. The study concludes that a well-being framework can support structured and transparent communication between culturally diverse groups.
Research
22 February 2022
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