Library | ESG issues

Governance

The governance pillar in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) refers to the systems, policies, and practices that ensure an organisation is managed responsibly and ethically. It includes issues such as board structure, reporting & disclosures, shareholders & voting, and risk management. Strong governance reduces risks, enhances trust, and supports long-term business sustainability.

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Evidencing financial materiality of sovereign ESG risk

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)
This report analyses the relationship between sovereign ESG risks and credit risk across 70 countries. Using FTSE Russell/Beyond Ratings data and five-year CDS spreads, it finds stronger financial materiality of ESG risks in emerging and high-yield markets, particularly for social and governance factors, with weaker results for environmental risks.
Research
11 October 2023

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)

Commercial Research Providers
LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) is a global financial markets infrastructure and data provider. It delivers market-data, analytics, news and index products to over 44,000 customers in more than 170 countries. LSEG’s services cover capital markets, post-trade operations, risk management and information services.
Organisation
1 research item

ESG and global investor returns study

Kroll
This report analyses the link between ESG integration and global investor returns, drawing on cross-regional data and sector comparisons. It assesses how environmental, social, and governance factors correlate with performance, highlighting variations across markets and asset classes. The study provides evidence-based insights on ESG’s financial materiality for investors worldwide.
Research
13 September 2023

Kroll

Commercial Research Providers
Kroll is a global financial and risk advisory firm offering services in valuation, investigations, cyber-resilience, regulatory compliance, transaction advisory, restructuring and business services.
With around 6,500 experts across 32 countries, Kroll helps clients build, protect and maximise enterprise value through data, technology and intelligence.
Organisation
1 research item

MSCI ESG ratings in global equity markets: A long-term performance review

MSCI Inc.
This MSCI report reviews the long-term performance of ESG ratings in global and developed equity markets. It finds that higher-rated companies outperformed peers, driven by stronger earnings growth and dividend yields rather than valuation effects. MSCI ESG indexes also generally outperformed their benchmarks across regions and during crises.
Research
16 April 2024

Externalities and the common owner

This article analyses institutional investors’ incentives to internalise negative externalities across their portfolios. It focuses on climate change, showing how large asset managers influence fossil fuel companies to reduce emissions, disclose risks, and limit lobbying, reframing shareholder primacy by prioritising portfolio-wide welfare over firm-level profit maximisation.
Research
20 November 2021

Companies should maximize shareholder welfare not market value

This report summarises why firms should maximise shareholder welfare rather than market value, noting that investors often have ethical and social preferences beyond profit. It proposes shareholder voting on corporate policy to better align company decisions with investor welfare, particularly where externalities are inseparable from production.
Research
30 September 2017

Point of no returns 2025: A responsible investment benchmark of 76 of the world’s largest asset managers

ShareAction
This report benchmarks 76 of the world’s largest asset managers on responsible investment across governance, climate, biodiversity, and social issues. Findings show stagnating progress, weak biodiversity policies, and continued fossil fuel investments, with European managers outperforming peers. Only a few demonstrate comprehensive responsible investment practices.
Research
19 May 2025

Aotearoa New Zealand climate standards

External Reporting Board (XRB)
The Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards series is a benchmark series issued by the External Reporting Board. It sets out the framework for climate-related disclosures, including governance, strategy, risk management, metrics and targets, adoption provisions, and general requirements. The series provides entities with a consistent structure to report climate-related risks and opportunities.
Benchmark/series

External Reporting Board (XRB)

Government Organisations & Departments
External Reporting Board (XRB) is an independent Crown entity in New Zealand that develops and issues accounting, auditing & assurance, and climate reporting standards. XRB ensures trusted, high-quality, integrated reporting across public, private and not-for-profit sectors to promote transparency, accountability and support informed decision-making.
Organisation
1 research item

Just transition, environment and social considerations for the aviation fuel transition: An investor guide

Climate Catalyst
This guide outlines environmental, social, and just transition considerations for investors in aviation’s fuel shift. It compares biofuels and e-fuels, highlights regulatory and biodiversity risks, and provides engagement questions to assess companies’ transition strategies, ensuring alignment with climate goals while safeguarding communities and long-term financial stability.
Research
2 September 2025

Opportunity Green

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Opportunity Green (OG) is a UK-based charity founded in 2021 that harnesses legal, economic and policy expertise to drive climate justice. OG focuses on equity, justice and accountability across overlooked sectors—aviation, shipping, buildings, steel, agriculture—championing decarbonisation, legal innovation and coalition-building for a 1.5 °C-aligned future.
Organisation
1 research item

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

Scientific Bodies
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) is Germany’s national Earth system research centre. It investigates solid‑Earth processes—including geology, geophysics, geodesy and geochemistry—and operates global observatories, satellite missions and analytical infrastructure. GFZ advances understanding of natural hazards, climate impact and resource management to support sustainable solutions.
Organisation
1 research item

Center for disaster management and risk reduction technology

Academic Institutions
Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM) is an interdisciplinary research centre at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, enhancing disaster resilience. Focusing on natural and human-made hazards—such as earthquakes, droughts, heatwaves and floods—it develops early warning systems, risk mapping and forensic disaster analysis. Ideal for innovators in disaster risk science.
Organisation
1 research item

Water footprint assessment tool

Water footprint network
The Water Footprint Assessment Tool is a free online application that enables businesses, governments, investors, NGOs and researchers to calculate and map green, blue and grey water footprints, assess sustainability, efficiency and equitable water use, and identify strategic actions to improve water management.
Online tool/database

Water footprint implementation

Commercial Research Providers
Water Footprint Implementation supports companies and governments with water accounting, sustainability assessment and water-footprint compensation. A spin-off of Water Footprint Network research, it delivers actionable insights for ESG reporting, water stewardship, water-footprint benchmarking and tailored reduction strategies to enhance resilience, reduce risk and foster sustainable water management.
Organisation
1 research item
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