Library | ESG issues
Inclusive Finance
Inclusive finance, also known as financial inclusion, refers to the provision of accessible, affordable, and timely financial products and services to all individuals and businesses, regardless of income level or socioeconomic status. This encompasses services such as banking, credit, insurance, and payment systems, delivered responsibly and sustainably. By integrating underserved populations into the financial system, inclusive finance fosters entrepreneurship, reduces poverty, and promotes economic growth.
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Access bank: Driving inclusive growth through responsible banking
This case study explores how Access Bank integrates the UN Principles for Responsible Banking into its operations, advancing green finance, financial inclusion, and gender equality. It highlights the bank’s green bond issuances, ESG frameworks, and stakeholder engagement, offering investors insight into sustainable finance practices within emerging markets.
Social finance primer: A guide to the evolving role of measurement and evaluation in the social finance ecosystem
This report by the American Evaluation Association’s Social Finance TIG outlines the evolving role of measurement and evaluation within the social finance ecosystem. It explains key concepts in impact investing, frameworks for assessing outcomes, and the intersection between evaluation and social impact measurement, offering resources for practitioners.
Gender intentional credit scoring
This CGAP technical guide outlines how lenders can apply gender-intentional approaches to credit scoring to expand women’s access to finance without increasing portfolio risk. Using data from AB Bank Zambia and TymeBank South Africa, it demonstrates practical methods for integrating gender analysis, adjusting scorecards, and improving lending outcomes for women.
Sustainable development report 2025
The Sustainable Development Report is a benchmark series that tracks global and national progress toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Produced annually by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and partners, it presents the SDG Index and Dashboards, offering comparable data, analysis, and trends for all UN member states.
The Real Tragedy of the Horizon
Mark Carney’s “tragedy of the horizon” warned that markets would act too late on climate risks. A decade later, this article argues that framing climate change as a financial risk has misdirected efforts—what’s needed now is coordinated action to create investable markets, especially in emerging economies.
Impact-linked finance: Learning from eight years and ideas for the future
This report by Roots of Impact (2024) reviews eight years of experience implementing Impact-Linked Finance (ILF), a structuring approach that rewards measurable social or environmental outcomes by linking financial terms to impact performance. It outlines ILF’s evolution, design principles, effectiveness benchmarks, and opportunities to scale through collaboration and new impact-linked instruments.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a UN intergovernmental body that supports developing countries in trade, investment, finance and technology. It delivers data-driven policy analysis, technical cooperation and global consensus building to help countries integrate into the world economy and advance sustainable development.
Global outlook on financing for sustainable development 2025: Towards a more resilient and inclusive architecture
This report summarises global financing trends for sustainable development, noting investment gaps in developing economies, heightened debt vulnerabilities, and the need for coordinated reforms. It highlights the importance of blended finance, resilience-building, and aligning the international financial architecture to better support inclusive and sustainable growth.
DBS Bank
DBS Bank India is a digital-led universal bank offering personal, SME, corporate and wealth management services. Features include resident and non-resident (NRI) savings and fixed deposit accounts, remittance, loans, digital payments and credit/debit card solutions. Positions as Asia’s safest bank with a wide India branch network.
ShareAction's point of no return series
The Point of No Returns benchmark series assesses the world’s largest asset managers on responsible investment across climate, biodiversity, social issues, governance, and stewardship. Published by ShareAction, the series provides rankings, sector-wide analysis, and examples of practice to guide improvement and accountability.
Chatham House
Chatham House, known formally as Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute in London. It delivers rigorous research, analysis and dialogue on global issues—such as international relations, climate change, security and economics. Its mission: help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world.
Resilient Planet Data Hub
Resilient Planet Data Hub offers open, globally consistent climate and nature risk data to guide resilience and adaptation investment. Convened by UNDRR, Insurance Development Forum and University of Oxford, it powers tools like the GRI Risk Viewer and Resilient Planet Finance Lab to mobilise action, policy and finance for people, planet and prosperity.
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is an independent, non‑partisan, non‑profit focused on transforming global energy systems. It delivers market‑driven, clean energy and decarbonisation solutions—spanning policy, industry and communities—to advance affordable, zero‑carbon futures. RMI supports rapid energy transition and sustainable development through research, analysis and global collaboration.
Mobilising institutional capital towards the SDGs and a Just Transition
This report outlines pathways for mobilising institutional capital towards the Sustainable Development Goals and a Just Transition. It focuses on investment vehicles, emerging markets, and private asset classes, providing practical recommendations, case studies, and frameworks to integrate environmental, social, and community considerations into scalable, impactful financial strategies.
Starting up: Responsible investment in venture capital
This report examines how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are being adopted in venture capital. It outlines current practices, challenges, and industry-specific considerations, and highlights the need for tailored guidance, collaboration, and early-stage engagement to advance responsible investment across the venture capital ecosystem.
Impact economies tractions and trends: Insights from 34 GSG National Partners
This report presents insights from 34 national ecosystems advancing impact investing. It highlights trends in policy, capital mobilisation, and transparency, showing governments and institutions integrating social and environmental outcomes into investment strategies. It tracks growth in green finance, outcome-based funding, and investment readiness across emerging and developed economies.
