Library | ESG issues
Fossil Fuel Industry
The fossil fuel industry includes coal, crude oil, and natural gas, which are carbon-intensive energy sources formed from ancient organic material. Their extraction and use are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, environmental destruction, and climate change. In the finance industry, fossil fuels present both risks and opportunities, as investors assess regulatory challenges, transition risks, stranded asset potential, and shifting market demand while also exploring opportunities in cleaner energy alternatives and low-carbon transition strategies.
Refine
57 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16
Bridging ESG silos: The intersection of climate change and modern slavery
This briefing for investors examines the intersection of climate change and modern slavery. It details how environmental and social risks are interconnected and can materially affect a company's long-term profitability. The report provides case studies and tools to help investors identify, assess, and respond to these risks in their portfolios.
Rethinking climate change: How humanity can choose to reduce emissions 90% by 2035 through the disruption of energy, transportation, and food with existing technologies
This report examines how existing technologies in energy, transportation, and food could lead to a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. Using the Seba Technology Disruption Framework, they forecast disruptive changes and identify how markets could drive emissions mitigation.
Unused tools: How central banks are fueling the climate crisis
This report dissects the role of central banks in fossil fuel finance and climate change, presenting 10 criteria for assessment and analysing 12 central banks worldwide. While there is increased recognition among global central banks of the severity of climate change, they continue to prop up fossil fuels and largely maintain an industrial structure that uncritically exacerbates the climate crisis.
Net zero integrity: Assessment of the net zero pledges of Australian companies
This report assesses the net zero pledges of ten Australian companies, highlighting a gap between current voluntary commitments and the requirements of global standards. None of the firms have a comprehensive, quantified, and independently verified plan for reducing emissions in line with a science-based pathway.
Intangible cultural heritage, diverse knowledge systems, and climate change
This paper explores the relationship between climate change, different knowledge systems, culture, and heritage. It discusses the importance of a historical perspective, defines and describes different knowledge systems, and addresses the limitations of the predominant scientific approach. It also presents a framework for collaboration among plural knowledge systems.
Finance and climate change: A comprehensive climate assessment of the world’s largest financial institutions
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.
Environmental beta or how institutional investors think about climate change and fossil fuel risk
This report examines how institutional investors think about climate change and fossil fuel risk. It finds that investors consider these issues subjectively and are primarily concerned with short-term investment horizons. The report argues that understanding investor perspectives is crucial for enhanced mechanisms both to mitigate GHG emissions and minimise climate change-related financial instability.
Failure by design: Is the net zero asset managers initiative broken?
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.
Urgewald
Discover Urgewald, a non-profit organisation championing environmental and social justice. Urgewald focuses on researching and exposing financial institutions involved in environmentally harmful projects. Their mission is to promote sustainable finance, divestment from fossil fuels, and support a global transition to clean energy. Explore their work for a greener future.
ClientEarth
ClientEarth is a non-profit environmental law organisation committed to protecting the planet's health. Visit our website for legal expertise, impactful litigation, and policy advocacy. Discover how we use the power of the law to drive positive environmental change, ensuring a sustainable future for all.
Climate Governance Initiative
Climate Governance Initiative is a platform fostering climate action by providing governance tools and insights. Explore their resources for effective climate governance solutions, aiding businesses and organisations in navigating the complexities of sustainability and contributing to the global effort in mitigating climate change impacts.
International Energy Agency (IEA)
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is a global organisation focused on energy policy and analysis. With a mandate to promote energy security, affordability, and sustainability, the IEA provides research, data, and insights to guide governments and industries. Visit for authoritative information on global energy trends and policies.
Taking the carbon out of credit: An integrated approach to removing climate emissions from lending
This report makes a complete case for banks and lending institutions to avoid further damaging of the climate. It provides both justification for why this is an important financial undertaking, and principles for how to go about and do it.
New nature economy report II: The future of nature and business
This report provides an applicable agenda for businesses to contribute to the development of practical roadmaps that address the most important drivers of nature loss and build a nature-positive future. It is the second part of a three-part New Nature Economy Report series.
Sierra Club
By bringing similarly-minded people together, Sierra Club works to champion solutions to the climate crisis. They view the climate crisis as not only an environmental but a social justice issue and work to amplify diverse voices to defend everyone’s right to a healthy world.
Reclaim Finance
Reclaim Finance aims to make finance work for people and the planet by using research and campaigning to shift some of the world's largest financial institutions away from investment in fossil fuels. In collaboration with Friends of the Earth France, Reclaim Finance's focus includes banks, insurers, investors and rating agencies.
