Library | ESG issues
Inequality
Inequality refers to disparities in income, wealth, and access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. While some progress has been made, inequalities persist and deepen for vulnerable populations, including refugees, migrants, Indigenous peoples, older persons, people with disabilities, and children. These disparities hinder sustainable development, threaten social stability, and limit economic growth. Addressing inequality requires inclusive policies, equitable access to resources, and protections against discrimination and social exclusion.
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Global responsible investment trends: Inside PRI reporting data 2025
The 2025 PRI report analyses data from 3,048 signatories, highlighting trends in climate risk management, stewardship, and human rights. Asset owners show increased engagement, with climate and social issues gaining priority. Investors continue integrating responsible investment into decision-making and oversight, with varied progress across policy, governance, and disclosure practices.
Recalibrating feedback loops: Guidance for asset owners and institutional investors assessing the influence of system-level investing
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.
Financing Africa's low carbon green economy transition: Africa's climate finance needs
This report outlines how African states must spend at least US$2.5tn by 2030 to meet climate commitments. It shows that emission reduction makes up close to 80% of spending, with plans for adaptation to climate change costed at US$418 billion.
UN Environment Programme's emissions gap report series
This benchmark report, produced by the United Nations Environment Programme, assesses the discrepancy between projected and necessary global greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement targets. It highlights the urgent need for enhanced mitigation actions and tracks progress on national commitments and policy implementations.
The prevention of adult exploitation and trafficking
The report synthesises research between 2020-2024 on preventing adult exploitation and trafficking. It highlights limited evidence on early intervention, re-trafficking prevention, and primary prevention. Recommendations include better prevention systems, multi-agency collaboration, addressing root causes, and evaluating effective trade and governance practices.
Early warning systems and early action in fragile, conflict-affected and violent contexts: Addressing growing climate and disaster risks
The report explores the implementation of early warning systems (EWS) in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts, emphasising climate and disaster risk management. It identifies key challenges like limited governance and data availability, proposes governance coordination, regional cooperation, and technology integration as solutions, and advocates for conflict-sensitive and community-based approaches to build resilience and save lives.
Generative AI, the American worker, and the future of work
The report examines the impact of generative AI on American jobs, noting significant disruption in both cognitive and nonroutine tasks, particularly in middle- and high-wage sectors. It highlights the need for policies that engage workers in AI’s deployment, enhance worker rights, and ensure AI-driven advancements benefit workers while minimising risks.
An intersectional approach to inclusion at work
This report outlines an intersectional approach to inclusion at work, focusing on neurodivergent and marginalised groups. The author proposes six evidence-based principles, emphasising the need for systemic inclusion, transparency, and fairness to remove barriers and foster a more inclusive workplace for all employees.
Embedding just transition into corporate climate action strategies
This report explores how businesses can integrate the concept of a just transition into their climate action strategies. It outlines key frameworks, corporate responsibilities, and challenges, offering guidance for ensuring social and environmental considerations are embedded in decarbonisation efforts.
Climate warriors down under: Contextualising Australia’s youth climate justice movement
This report explores the youth-led climate justice movement in Australia, focusing on the socio-political context and challenges young activists face. It highlights the role of non-violent, collective action, key groups such as the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, and the impact of climate-related litigation cases, while addressing barriers like media bias and anti-protest laws.
Cooler finance: Mobilizing investment for the developing world’s sustainable cooling needs
The report highlights the critical need for sustainable cooling in developing countries to meet climate goals, reduce emissions, and support health, food security, and productivity. It estimates a market demand of $600 billion annually by 2050 and provides strategies to attract private investment through policy, financing models, and international collaboration.
The demand for a fair international financial architecture
The report explores the Global South's calls for reforming the international financial system. It highlights six key outcomes: improved representation, faster response times, increased funding scale, sustainable financing, enhanced global solidarity, and fostering economic self-reliance. The report underscores the urgency of reforming global financial institutions to address disparities.
Good Jobs First
Good Jobs First (GJF) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting accountability and transparency in economic development. By analysing public subsidies and incentives, GJF helps communities understand the impact of corporate subsidies on local economies. Their tools and resources support informed decision-making for sustainable economic growth and responsible investment.
The investor case for fighting inequality: How inequality harms investors and what investors should do about it
The report argues that socioeconomic inequality poses systemic risks to investment performance. It highlights that addressing inequality aligns with investors' fiduciary duties by reducing financial risks and improving long-term returns. The report provides evidence that inequality impacts corporate performance, supply chains, and macroeconomic stability.
From fragmentation to integration: Embedding social issues in sustainable finance
The report calls for integrating social risks into financial strategies. It emphasises the interconnectedness of social and environmental issues and recommends enhancing research, standards, and tools to address socio-economic inequalities, promoting financial stability and sustainability.
Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV)
Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is a network of independent banks using finance to deliver sustainable economic, social and environmental development.
