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.

Refine
Resource type
Sustainable Finance Practices
ESG issues
SDGs
SASB Sustainability Sector
Finance relevance
Asset Class
Location
TAG
972 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16

Putting pandemics behind us: Investing in one health to reduce risks of emerging infectious diseases

The World Bank
This report discusses One Health, an approach that recognises the interdependent nature of human, animal, and environmental health. It presents an investment framework designed to mobilise finance for pandemic prevention and reduce the risks of emerging infectious diseases.
Research
21 October 2022

Navigating energy transitions: Mapping the road to 1.5°C

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
This report maps the road to 1.5°C in energy transitions, discussing pathways and policies to achieve this goal. It highlights the role of investors in driving the energy transition, and the need for mandatory disclosure requirements and robust reporting frameworks to achieve material impact.
Research
24 October 2022

Are corporate biodiversity commitments consistent with delivering ‘nature-positive’ outcomes? A review of ‘nature-positive’ definitions, company progress and challenges

This article examine the emerging trend of "nature-positive" in business and large corporations. The authors propose key criteria to distinguish 'nature-positive' approaches from previous iterations, analyse company sustainability reports, and examine progress from 2016 to 2021.
Research
15 December 2022

Climate poverty connections: Opportunities for synergistic solutions at the intersection of planetary and human well-being

Project Drawdown
The report highlights co-benefits of climate solutions that also improve human well-being. The report focuses on sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and shows the potential of environmental solutions to help relieve poverty. It also recommends further evaluation on existing solutions and assessing unintended consequences.
Research
7 April 2022

Investor climate action plans (ICAPs): Guidance on using the expectations ladder

The Investor Agenda
This report provides guidance to investors on using the ICAPs Expectations Ladder to disclose their climate action plans. It covers investment, corporate engagement, policy advocacy, investor disclosure, and governance with specific recommendations. The report includes a glossary of terms and maps existing disclosures to the Ladder's expectations.
Research
7 July 2022

Impact investing in biodiversity conservation with bonds: An analysis of financial and environmental risk

This report examines the financial and environmental risks associated with impact investing in biodiversity conservation through bonds. It evaluates five case studies, analysing the projects' theories of change, potential risks, and mitigation strategies. The findings highlight complexities in achieving both financial returns and conservation impact, with concerns about vague metrics and project uncertainties.
Research
21 May 2022

CIMS vs. NZBA climate target setting: Cross-fertilizing best practices

Sustainable Finance Observatory
This report compares the NZBA and CIMS methodologies for climate target setting and identifies best practices for optimizing the mitigation of GHG emissions. By examining their differences and commonalities, the authors provide recommendations and suggest that combining the two frameworks could create a robust joint disclosure framework.
Research
22 February 2024

Market review of environmental impact claims of retail investment funds in Europe

Sustainable Finance Observatory
This report explores the environmental impact claims made by European retail investment funds and assesses their accuracy and possible ramifications. Findings reveal a high prevalence of misleading claims and a need for better guidance and regulation to address the issue. Short and long-term recommendations are proposed.
Research
13 September 2023

Industry influence on biodiversity policy: A pilot study demonstrating industry associations’ engagement on biodiversity-related policy and regulations

InfluenceMap
This report reveals that industry associations representing key sectors and some of the largest companies in the world are lobbying to delay, dilute, and block critically needed biodiversity policy in both the EU and US. The vast majority of engagement on specific policies and regulations is oppositional, seeking to roll back, weaken, or block policy.
Research
24 October 2022

Summary for policymakers of the methodological assessment regarding the diverse conceptualisation of multiple values of nature and its benefits, including biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services

This paper is on the diverse conceptualisations of multiple values of nature, its benefits, and the valuation of nature asserts that policymaking frequently ignores nature's assorted values, focusing on only a small subset, and details how diversity in valuation is salient but challenging.
Research
9 July 2022

Amazonia against the clock: Regional assessment on where and how to protect 80% by 2025

Stand.earth
The report assesses the current state of the key priority areas in the Amazon and outlines the urgent actions that need to be taken to save the Amazon rainforest and mitigate climate change.
Research
15 September 2022

Guiding principles for responsible investment stewardship in Aotearoa New Zealand

Stewardship Code Aotearoa New Zealand
The Stewardship Code is a voluntary guideline crafted by New Zealand industry experts, aiding financial market participants in responsible investment stewardship. Comprising nine principles, it supplements regulatory mandates, allowing voluntary adoption and reporting on a 'comply or explain' basis.
Research
15 May 2023

Systemic interventions for decarbonisation: The business perspective

Nordic Sustainability
This report advocates for a systemic approach to accelerate rapid decarbonisation, positioning innovative businesses to win from driving such an approach. The report evaluates the associated theoretical high-level insights in the case of the decarbonisation of the light road transport sector, proposing a set of principles for decarbonisation and mindset shifts for business innovators and incumbents.
Research
1 November 2022

The nature-based economy: How Australia’s prosperity depends on nature

Australian Conservation Foundation
This report highlights the link between nature and economic productivity in Australia. The report illustrates that approximately half of Australia’s GDP is directly dependent on specific ecosystem services derived from natural capital. The report sets out recommendations for action to halt and reverse the decline of nature in order to create a Nature Positive future.
Research
6 September 2022

The future of investor engagement: A call for systematic stewardship to address systemic climate risk

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
This report provides a call to action for investors to engage in systematic stewardship to address systemic climate risk. It explores limitations of corporate engagement and presents alternative opportunities for engagement such as sector and value chain engagement, policy engagement, and asset manager engagement.
Research
5 May 2023

Finance and climate change: A comprehensive climate assessment of the world’s largest financial institutions

InfluenceMap
An analysis of the top 30 global financial institutions exposes a notable absence of immediate action on climate change. While pledging net-zero targets by 2050, their plans lack focus and lack measurable short-term actions. Urgent reshaping of activities is imperative for these institutions to effectively transition to a net-zero future.
Research
25 March 2022
PREV
38 of 61
NEXT