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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What can investors do about climate change?
This report explores the evolving role of investors in addressing climate change. Drawing on insights from major asset managers, it advocates shifting from market-led targets to a policy-led approach. Investors are advised to focus on realistic stewardship, pragmatic objective-setting, and policy advocacy to effectively manage climate-related financial risks.
Climate litigation as a financial risk: Evidence from a global survey of equity investors
This report surveys 811 global equity investors to assess perceptions of climate litigation as a financial risk. It finds that investors view climate lawsuits as financially material, with effects often manifesting early, such as upon media coverage or filing, and affecting both carbon majors and other sectors.
24/7 renewables: The economics of firm solar and wind
This report analyses the transition to reliable, round-the-clock renewable energy through solar, wind, and battery storage. Introducing the firm levelised cost of electricity (F-LCOE), it evaluates the cost-competitiveness of hybrid systems against fossil fuels and outlines the necessary policy reforms to support widespread deployment.
Assessing the resilience of global grain supplies to compound climatic and non-climatic shocks
This research evaluates the resilience of global grain supplies to compounding climatic and non-climatic shocks. Using a bilateral trade model for 177 countries, it demonstrates that energy price spikes and extreme weather severely disrupt food systems, highlighting the need for strategic stockpiling and diversified trade agreements to ensure food security.
Energy security through freight electrification: A rapid response briefing note on policy options for responding to the global fuel crisis
This briefing note outlines policy options to enhance Australia's fuel security through freight electrification. It recommends a phased, five-year, $3 billion programme to deploy up to 50,000 battery electric trucks, displacing one billion litres of diesel annually while leveraging private capital and implementing structural reforms.
Energy and AI in East Asia
This report examines the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy in East Asia. It highlights how AI optimises renewable energy integration and grid management, whilst addressing rising data centre electricity demand. It recommends accelerating digitalisation, updating regulatory frameworks, and promoting clean energy procurement to ensure sustainable development.
Critical minerals traceability for energy and economic security
IEA finds traceability systems can strengthen critical mineral supply chain resilience by improving visibility, diversification and responsible sourcing. Adoption is increasing but remains uneven due to costs, interoperability issues and limited incentives. The report recommends harmonised standards, financial support and international co-operation to improve energy and economic security.
RIAA Conference Australia 2026 - Companion Resources
Responsible investment has moved well beyond principles and pledges. Today’s challenges require practical capability and informed judgement. The RIAA Conference is a must-attend event for finance, sustainability and industry practitioners who want to focus on the key themes for responsible investment in 2026 and what implementation really looks like. Designed as an immersive, hands-on experience, the program focuses on the systems that underpin strong financial performance, and will help you understand how climate, nature, technology, governance and regulation intersect.
These specially curated companion resources have been recommended by the conference speakers and Altiorem team.
These specially curated companion resources have been recommended by the conference speakers and Altiorem team.
Mapping heat inequality across neighbourhoods in Delhi: Integrating geospatial and citizen data for climate resilience
Delhi heat vulnerability is shaped by neighbourhood density, limited green cover and unequal access to cooling. Using geospatial and household survey data, the report finds higher heat exposure increases illness, sleep disruption and productivity loss, while targeted greening, micro-level heat planning and energy-efficient cooling could improve urban climate resilience.
Driving jobs, economic growth, and climate action: The role of clean mobility in India
India’s transition to full electric vehicle adoption by 2047 could increase manufacturing output, create new jobs, reduce oil import dependence, and lower transport emissions. The report highlights substantial investment, infrastructure, and workforce reskilling requirements, with policy coordination and domestic manufacturing identified as critical to capturing long-term economic and climate benefits.
Equity in principle, misalignment in practice: Adaptation finance governance in the adaptation fund and green climate fund
The report argues that adaptation finance through the Adaptation Fund and Green Climate Fund formally prioritises equity, vulnerability and country ownership, but remains constrained by voluntary funding, access barriers and project-based delivery, limiting alignment with Global South priorities.
PFAS: From non-stick to stuck in court – Dashboard
This resource outlines the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation’s initiatives and guidance for financial institutions integrating biodiversity considerations into investment and financing activities. It summarises collaborative frameworks, reporting expectations, and industry tools designed to support alignment with global biodiversity goals and nature-related risk management.
Transforming the urban climate project preparation ecosystem: Emerging findings on how enhanced collaboration can deliver greater coherence, efficiency and impact
The report examines weaknesses in urban climate project preparation and argues that stronger coordination between cities, financiers and support organisations could improve coherence, efficiency and project impact. It identifies structural and operational barriers and proposes collaborative reforms to strengthen climate finance delivery.
Physical climate risk in the United States equity market: Quantifying state–sector heterogeneity
The report presents an NGFS-aligned framework for assessing physical climate risk in U.S. equities. Using state-level GDP damage projections and sector-specific adjustments, it estimates a roughly 4.0% valuation loss for a U.S. equity benchmark under current policies, highlighting substantial variation across states and sectors.
Applying TNFD nature-related metrics in the fishing sector: Insights from investors and industry
TNFD guidance for the fishing sector outlines how investors and seafood companies use nature-related metrics to assess risks, disclosure and stewardship. Findings highlight growing demand for traceability, stock health and bycatch data, while noting certification interoperability, persistent data gaps and emerging access to blue finance instruments.
Climate risks to Syria’s urban water and sanitation systems
Syria’s urban water and sanitation systems face rising climate-driven water scarcity, infrastructure damage and growing demand. The report recommends integrated water management, infrastructure rehabilitation, agricultural water efficiency, wastewater reuse and stronger governance to reduce future water insecurity, contamination risks and maladaptive investment.