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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Forest Declaration Assessment

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Forest Declaration Assessment is a global initiative aimed at halting deforestation and promoting sustainable land use. It brings together governments, civil society, and private sector actors to achieve forest conservation goals. The platform fosters collaboration and accountability, helping to drive meaningful action towards sustainable forestry and climate commitments.
Organisation
1 research item

Nature Action 100

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Nature Action 100 is a global initiative that mobilises investors to engage with corporations on climate change. It aims to ensure companies take necessary actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and align with the Paris Agreement. The initiative fosters collaboration and accountability among investors for sustainable practices.
Organisation
1 research item

Science Based Targets Network (SBTN)

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) supports organisations in setting science-based targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. It provides guidance, resources, and frameworks to drive climate action. By aligning targets with climate science, SBTN empowers businesses to contribute effectively to global sustainability efforts and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Organisation
1 research item

Finance for biodiversity: Guide on biodiversity measurement approaches

Finance for Biodiversity Foundation
The report offers financial institutions insights into measuring biodiversity impacts and dependencies through selected approaches, including sector and location screening, and biodiversity footprinting. It emphasises tools like ENCORE and IBAT, with a focus on alignment with global biodiversity goals and effective biodiversity risk assessment in portfolios.
Research
23 March 2024

Mobilizing finance for nature-based solutions: New business opportunities and capital flows

SMBC
The report explores the role of financial institutions in driving investments towards nature-positive initiatives. It highlights key challenges and opportunities in biodiversity financing, focusing on innovative financial models, carbon markets, and ecosystem service monetisation. The report presents case studies from Southeast Asia and proposes solutions like blended finance to de-risk projects and enhance collaboration across sectors.
Research
16 October 2024

The private investment landscape for a global circular economy for plastics: Insights from the Plastics Circularity Investment Tracker

The Circulate Initiative
This report explores the private investment landscape for plastics circularity, providing key insights from the Plastics Circularity Investment Tracker. It reveals that while $32 billion is invested annually, this is far below the $1 trillion needed to meet global 2040 targets. Emerging markets, which account for significant plastic pollution, receive only 6% of total investments.
Research
29 July 2024

Banking on biodiversity collapse series

BankTrack
This series examines the relationship between global finance and biodiversity collapse, focusing on the financial flows supporting deforestation and ecosystem degradation. It explores the role of banks and investors in funding forest-risk commodity sectors across key regions and highlights the gap between corporate sustainability commitments and real-world actions.
Benchmark/series

From taking stock to taking action - How to implement the COP28 energy goals

International Energy Agency (IEA)
The report outlines global energy transition goals, including tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. It provides guidance for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, emphasising the importance of international cooperation, investment in grids and storage, and just, equitable transitions away from fossil fuels. The report highlights key challenges and opportunities for accelerating clean energy adoption globally.
Research
24 September 2024

IFIS

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
International Food Information Service (IFIS) is a leading provider of scientific information on food and beverages. It offers access to research, data, and resources to support professionals and researchers in the food industry. IFIS is known for its database, FSTA, which delivers reliable, peer-reviewed content on food science and technology.
Organisation

WWF water risk filter

World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund – WWF)
The WWF Water Risk Filter is an online tool that helps businesses and investors assess, understand, and respond to water-related risks globally. It offers comprehensive data, including customised risk assessments and mitigation strategies, enabling informed decision-making to manage water risks effectively.
Online tool/database

WWF biodiversity risk filter

World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund – WWF)
The WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter tool helps finance professionals assess biodiversity-related risks to companies and portfolios. It provides data-driven insights to better understand exposure and dependencies on nature, supporting more informed decision-making in risk management and sustainable finance strategies.
Online tool/database

Understanding the drivers of investment portfolio decarbonisation

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
The report discusses emissions attribution analysis for net-zero investment portfolios. It highlights key decarbonisation drivers, including portfolio reallocation, real-world emissions reductions, and changes in data coverage. The analysis helps financial professionals understand and steer investment strategies toward decarbonisation, aligning with climate goals set by the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance.
Research
11 December 2023

Investigating global aquatic food loss and waste

World Economic Forum
This report explores the global issue of aquatic food loss and waste (FLW), quantifying it across various species and product types. In 2021, approximately 14.8% of aquatic foods were lost or wasted globally. The report identifies hotspots, outlines key drivers, and suggests targeted interventions to enhance sustainability in the aquatic food industry.
Research
10 April 2024

Climate allocation compass, a framework for real-world decarbonization (Compass-FRWD)

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
This report presents a multi-asset class decarbonisation framework aimed at bridging the global climate investment gap and guiding financial institutions in capital allocation strategies to decarbonise the real economy. The framework includes steps to set emission reduction targets, allocate capital accordingly, and monitor progress using metrics like the Net Zero Deviation Index (NZDI), while emphasising collaboration with policymakers and stakeholders.
Research
15 October 2024

Screening for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems: Guidance and tools for government officials

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
This report provides guidance for government officials on screening investments in agriculture and food systems to ensure responsible practices. It outlines due diligence processes to assess investors, potential risks, and benefits while promoting sustainable development. The toolkit includes adaptable screening tools to identify responsible projects and enhance transparency in investment decisions.
Research
15 October 2024

Circular economy in the industrial goods sector: A framework for understanding private sector progress and innovation

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
This report outlines circular economy practices within the industrial goods sector, assessing actions taken by approximately 50 companies. It categorises their efforts into five key areas, highlighting examples of innovation and collaboration to advance sustainability while minimising waste and resource consumption in production processes.
Research
29 May 2024
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