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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How just transition can help deliver the Paris Agreement

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
This report outlines how embedding just transition principles in climate strategies supports equitable decarbonisation. It presents trends, case studies, and a UNDP framework guiding countries to integrate socio-economic considerations into their Nationally Determined Contributions and Long-Term Strategies, promoting inclusive, sustainable development in line with the Paris Agreement.
Research
20 January 2023

Drova’s ESG stakeholder materiality assessment

Drova’s ESG Stakeholder Materiality Assessment is a digital tool designed to identify and prioritise environmental, social, and governance issues relevant to an organisation and its stakeholders. Aligned with frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), it facilitates stakeholder engagement and produces a materiality matrix to inform sustainability strategy. The platform streamlines the assessment process, reducing time and cost compared to traditional methods.
Online tool/database

Navigating portfolio exposure to conflict-affected and high-risk areas: Practical guidance for investor engagement with companies

Heartland Initiative
This report offers practical guidance for investors engaging companies on managing conflict-affected and high-risk area (CAHRA) exposure. It highlights legal obligations, best practices in heightened human rights due diligence, and governance strategies, drawn from pilot dialogues with tech and renewable energy firms. Recommendations target risk mitigation aligned with global standards.
Research
30 April 2025

The saliency-materiality nexus: Addressing systemic risks to people and portfolios in a turbulent world

Heartland Initiative
This report introduces the saliency-materiality nexus, a framework linking severe human rights harms to financially material risks in conflict-affected areas. It highlights case studies totalling over $85 billion in losses and offers guidance for investors on due diligence, portfolio risk management, and alignment with legal and ethical responsibilities.
Research
23 August 2024

Heartland Initiative

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Heartland Initiative is a nonprofit investor advisory organisation dedicated to advancing human rights in investment. It collaborates with institutional investors, civil society, and policymakers to address systemic risks and promote responsible investment practices. Heartland offers tailored learning services and fosters environments that integrate human rights considerations into business strategies.
Organisation
2 research items

PRI's human rights due diligence tool for real estate investors

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
The UN PRI’s Human Rights Due Diligence Tool for Real Estate Investors provides a structured approach to identify, assess, and manage human rights risks in property investments, aligning with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines. It supports responsible investment decision-making.
Online tool/database
16 May 2025

How to identify human rights risks: A practical guide in due diligence

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This guide outlines a structured approach for investors to identify and prioritise human rights risks across countries, sectors, and companies. It supports due diligence through risk mapping, severity assessment, and prioritisation frameworks, promoting responsible investment aligned with international human rights standards.
Research
5 June 2023

Human rights due diligence for private markets investors: A technical guide

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This guide outlines how private markets investors can integrate human rights due diligence into investment processes, aligned with the UN Guiding Principles. It covers policy commitments, risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and remedy provision to address human rights impacts, mitigate risk, and meet evolving legal and societal expectations.
Research
7 June 2023

PRI's human rights due diligence tool for infrastructure investors

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
The PRI Human Rights Due Diligence Tool assists infrastructure investors in identifying, assessing, and managing human rights risks throughout the investment lifecycle. It provides practical guidance aligned with international standards to support responsible investment practices in infrastructure and other real assets.
Online tool/database
16 May 2025

UNEP FI's human rights screening and risk assessment: investment and lending operations

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
The UNEP FI Human Rights Screening and Risk Assessment tool provides financial institutions with a structured framework to identify and evaluate human rights risks at both portfolio and transaction levels. It aligns with the UN Guiding Principles and OECD guidance, promoting integration of human rights considerations into investment and lending operations.
Online tool/database

Pursuing impact within a portfolio: Insights from institutional asset owners

Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
This report explores how institutional asset owners integrate impact goals into portfolio strategy. Through four case studies, it examines aligning financial returns with social and environmental outcomes using an impact lens. It highlights investment approaches addressing climate change, health, regional development and systemic inequality across diverse asset classes and geographies.
Research
18 October 2024

Recalibrating feedback loops: Guidance for asset owners and institutional investors assessing the influence of system-level investing

The Investment Integrated Project (TIIP)
This report guides asset owners in assessing how their investments affect systemic environmental and social issues. It introduces a framework to align investment practices with system-level goals and improve financial system resilience. Case studies explore climate change, income inequality, and racial inequity to illustrate practical applications.
Research
7 December 2023

The imperative for impact management: Clarifying the relationship between impacts, system-wide risk and materiality

The report argues that managing environmental and social impacts is essential for sustainable financial performance. It connects impacts to both entity-specific and system-wide risks, urging enterprises, investors, and policymakers to adopt a unified, evidence-based impact management approach aligned with global sustainability goals and evolving disclosure standards.
Research
1 June 2023

Ceres' food emissions 50 company benchmark

Ceres
The Food Emissions 50 Company Benchmark evaluates major North American food companies on greenhouse gas emissions disclosures, reduction targets, and climate transition plans. It highlights progress in reporting scope 3 emissions and setting science-based targets, while identifying areas needing improvement, such as aligning growth strategies with emissions goals.
Benchmark/series

Risky business: How Australian financial institutions are managing nature-related risks and opportunities

Australian Conservation Foundation
This report assesses how ten banks and ten super funds in Australia are addressing nature-related risks and opportunities. It evaluates their strategies, risk management, target setting, and stakeholder engagement, highlighting areas of progress and identifying where further action is needed to mitigate financial risks associated with nature loss.
Research
6 June 2024

Climate change litigation databases

Sabin Center for Climate Change Law
The Climate Change Litigation Database is an online tool providing access to a comprehensive collection of global climate change litigation cases. It is designed to support legal and finance professionals by offering detailed information and insights into climate-related legal actions and decisions worldwide.
Online tool/database
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