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.
Refine
198 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank dedicated to improving lives in Asia and the Pacific. It provides financial assistance and technical expertise to promote sustainable development, reduce poverty, and foster economic growth in the region. ADB focuses on infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and poverty reduction initiatives.
Transformational investment: Converting global systemic risks into sustainable returns
This report explores transformational investment while arguing that the global economy is under threat from long-term systemic risks. Rich Nuzum, President of Investments and Retirement at Mercer, called on institutional investors to help mitigate the risks through "long-term thinking" and "constructively tackling complicated problems".
Sovereign bonds: Spotlight on ESG risks
This report explores the use of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) analysis as a potential risk-reducing and return-enhancing tool for investors in developed-country sovereign bonds. The report suggests that ESG factors are material to both creditworthiness and investment performance.
Safe and just Earth system boundaries
This report sets safe and just Earth system boundaries (ESBs) for domains including climate, nitrogen, and phosphorus, and identifies sub-global ESBs for avoiding Earth system destabilization. Achieving these ESBs requires a systemic transformation across sectors and addressing drivers of Earth system change for a safe and just future.
Experimental evidence for tipping points in social convention
This study shows the theoretical and empirical existence of a tipping point for changing social conventions. Minority groups can overturn established behaviour by reaching a critical mass, expected to vary depending on social setting. The findings offer insight for organizations with potential shifts in conventional behaviour.
Five insights for avoiding global collapse: What a 50-year-old model of the world taught me about a way forward for us today
This book analyses a 50-year-old model of the world to provide five insights for avoiding global collapse. The book examines societal pressures, the role of technology, governance structures, and finance that contribute to earth's ecosystem health and sustenance.
Assessing pharma companies’ response to COVID-19 and the threat of future pandemics
This report analyses pharmaceutical companies’ response during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, their performance in terms of registration and applying equitable access strategies for COVID-19 vaccines, voluntary licensing agreements and technology transfers, and forward-looking assessment of their preparedness for future epidemics and pandemics.
Constructive corporate engagements: From a corporate perspective
This research focuses on constructive corporate engagement. This report analyses survey results from 100 senior company directors and interviews with ten executives to examine the drivers of successful engagements. Insights include the importance of collaborating with companies, focusing on material issues, and using standard metrics for success.
Insurance regulation for sustainable development: Protecting human rights against climate risks and natural hazards
This report argues that insurance regulation has a critical role to play in protecting human rights against climate risk and natural hazards. Among its recommendations, the report calls for the proper pricing of climate risks, broader coverage from insurance, and the alignment of investments with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Renewables and business: Cutting prices and pollution
This report shows how investment in renewable energy can reduce exposure to volatile electricity prices and future price hikes. Over 46,000 businesses have already invested in large solar installations, and 40% of businesses are considering similar initiatives. Local and State Governments are also supporting business investment in clean, affordable and reliable renewable energy.
Beyond diversity: Equity and inclusion as an overlooked opportunity for investors
This report argues that equity and inclusion, rather than diversity alone, are key drivers of business performance. It outlines organisational practices and leadership behaviours that foster inclusion, enabling diverse talent to contribute fully. Investors are encouraged to prioritise structural inclusion metrics over representational data for meaningful performance insights.
Integrating child rights across the ASX: A UNICEF investor tool benchmarking report series
This benchmark report series, "Integrating Child Rights across the ASX," by UNICEF and Ethical Partners Funds Management, assesses and guides ASX companies on integrating children's rights into ESG practices, offering a framework and practical steps for improvement.
The importance of resource security for poverty eradication
This report analyses the impact of resource scarcity on national economies and poverty. It found that 72% of the world’s population live in countries with biocapacity deficits and below-average income, creating an ecological poverty trap. Biological resource security is crucial for development success.
Guidance and case studies for ESG integration: Equities and fixed income
The CFA Institute and Principles for Responsible Investment commissioned a survey on ESG integration, revealing that 56% of investors integrate governance into their equity analysis. Analysts may engage in ESG in fixed-income analysis to evaluate the risks and value of assets. ESG issues help investors arrive at estimates of fair stock value.
Business reporting on the SDGs: An analysis of the goals and targets 2022
This report offers a comprehensive overview of the Sustainable Development Goals and how businesses can align their practices with these goals through transparent disclosures and disclosures reporting. This 2022 edition provides actionable steps for businesses to contribute to sustainable development.
The third, systems stage of corporate governance: Why institutional investors need to move beyond modern portfolio theory
The authors of this paper argue that institutional investors need to move beyond Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), and consider a wider risk management strategy. The paper outlines the potential failings of MPT and suggests ways for institutional investors to better align with the needs of society and the economy.
