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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When the bee stings: Counting the cost of nature-related risks
In collaboration with the TNFD, and aligned with its newly released recommendations, BloombergNEF has examined 10 instances of companies suffering material financial losses, the threat of such losses and share price pressure from poorly handled interactions with nature. The case studies demonstrate the financial importance of a business understanding and managing its impacts and dependencies on the natural world.
Our commitment to nature: Supporting biodiversity and sustainable land use through engagement
This paper outlines Federated Hermes' expectations and engagement priorities for sectors characterised by having high biodiversity impacts and dependencies. These include consumer goods and retail, agrochemicals, mining and materials, oil and gas, utilities, real estate and construction, and finance.
Financing the nature-positive transition: Understanding the role of banks, investors and insurers
This CEO brief by the WEF focuses on the business case for nature, highlighting the importance of integrating nature into financial decision-making to achieve sustainable economic growth and biodiversity conservation.
Financing for regenerative agriculture
This report outlines the urgent need to shift from conventional agricultural practices to regenerative agriculture to address the significant negative impacts of current agrifood systems. It provides a detailed analysis of the funding gaps, investment opportunities, and the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning to regenerative practices.
Building transition: Financing market transition
The report outlines a framework for decarbonising and enhancing resilience in the built environment. It emphasises sustainable finance, improving low-performing buildings, and adapting to climate risks. Key strategies include evolving taxonomies, defining credible pathways, and addressing broader resilience, urging inclusive, scalable investments to achieve global sustainability goals.
Financing transformations: A guide to green building for green bonds and green loans
The report provides a guide to sustainable finance in the real estate sector, focusing on green building projects eligible for green bonds and loans. It details key principles, certification frameworks like BREEAM and LEED, and sustainable finance's role in addressing climate action, resource efficiency, and social impact.
Unlocking the value: A practical guide for sustainable finance in the Australian real estate sector
The report highlights the role of sustainable finance in advancing Australia's real estate sector's decarbonisation goals. It explores green loans, bonds, and rating systems like Green Star and NABERS to promote resource efficiency, health, and equity. The guide supports industry collaboration, defining frameworks to unlock sustainable finance opportunities.
Green Building Council of Australia
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is dedicated to transforming the built environment into a sustainable, healthy, and resilient sector. GBCA drives environmental best practices through certifications like Green Star, education programs, and advocacy. Explore their initiatives to advance sustainable communities, reduce carbon emissions, and shape Australia’s sustainable building future.
The hidden environmental cost of cryptocurrency: How Bitcoin mining impacts climate, water and land
Bitcoin mining has significant environmental impacts, driven by its reliance on electricity-intensive processes. In 2020-2021, mining consumed 173 TWh of electricity, primarily from fossil fuels, and emitted 86 Mt CO2, contributing to climate change, water scarcity, and land use issues. Global regulatory action is urgently needed.
U.S. climate policy and blockchain innovation in future smart and sustainable cities
This report explores blockchain's potential to address climate challenges and foster smart, sustainable cities. It highlights blockchain's capacity for decentralisation, transparency, and efficiency in urban governance, renewable energy, and civic participation. Recommendations include multi-stakeholder collaboration, educational initiatives, and human-centred design to ensure ethical, inclusive implementation for climate resilience and innovation.
How business and finance can contribute to a nature positive future now
This report provides an in-depth exploration of the term "nature positive" and its implications for business and finance. It aims to build a shared understanding and alignment on what nature positive means, offering insights and recommendations to drive meaningful action towards halting and reversing nature loss. This report is particularly valuable for investors as it clarifies the concept of "nature positive" and its relevance to investment strategies. It helps investors understand the risks and opportunities associated with nature loss and provides a framework for integrating nature-positive principles into investment decisions.
Biodiversity credit markets: The role of law, regulation, and policy
This report explores legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks to develop high-integrity biodiversity credit markets. These markets aim to finance nature-positive and equitable outcomes, providing innovative and scalable funding for biodiversity conservation and restoration. This report provides investors with insights into the legal and regulatory foundations that support high quality offset markets. As such, this report can be used as a tool to inform policy advocacy in the biodiversity credit market space.
Measuring what matters: An approach for natural capital investors
This report provides guidance on the consistent measurement of emissions reduction activities across agriculture and forestry assets. This report may assist investors in agriculture and forestry to screen investment strategies and hold asset managers and operators to account for emissions reduction. This may facilitate the flow of capital into replicable sustainable activities, allowing investors and financiers to compare projects more easily and prioritise investments according to their own sustainability goals.
Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is an Australian Government-owned green bank investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-emission technologies to support Australia's transition to net zero emissions by 2050. CEFC collaborates with private investors to finance projects that reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development.
Following the money: Financial services' links to deforestation and forest degradation in Australia
This report examines the financial flows that drive deforestation and environmental degradation in Australia. It tracks investments and funding sources linked to activities that impact the environment, providing transparency and accountability. The report aims to inform stakeholders, including policymakers, investors, and the public, about the financial drivers of environmental harm and promote responsible investment practices.
Australia's State of the Environment 2021
This website hosts the Australia State of the Environment Report, which provides comprehensive assessments of the condition of Australia's environment. The report covers various themes, including biodiversity, land, inland water, coasts, marine environment, atmosphere, and heritage. It offers valuable insights into environmental trends, pressures, and management actions, supporting informed policy and decision-making for sustainable development.