Library | ESG issues

Law, Regulation & Compliance

The evolving legal and regulatory landscape financial organisations regarding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations comprises both voluntary frameworks and mandatory regulations. Voluntary initiatives, such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), provide guidelines for companies to disclose climate-related financial risks and opportunities. In contrast, mandatory regulations like the European Union’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) require financial market participants to disclose how they integrate ESG factors into their investment decisions.

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The role of government in corporate governance: Perspectives from the UK

The report examines the UK government's role in corporate governance, identifying four key functions: enhancing competitive advantage, compensating for self-regulation failures, preventing corporate scandals, and reassuring the public of its oversight. It evaluates regulatory frameworks, corporate failures, and policy developments, highlighting implications for governance, politics, and economic stability.
Research
31 January 2011

EU taxonomy navigator

European Commission
The EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy is a classification system that defines environmentally sustainable economic activities. It helps investors, companies, and policymakers assess sustainability performance and align financial flows with climate and environmental objectives. The tool supports transparency and comparability in sustainable finance, aiding compliance with EU sustainability regulations.
Online tool/database

PRI's regulation database

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
The PRI's regulation database documents financial, corporate, and real economy policies that support, encourage, or require responsible investment practices. It focuses on the top 20 countries by PRI signatory count, plus G20 members and the European Union, providing a comprehensive view of evolving policy frameworks in key markets.
Online tool/database

Building disaster- and climate-resilient infrastructure through public–private partnerships

Australian Government
The report discusses leveraging public–private partnerships (PPPs) to build disaster- and climate-resilient infrastructure in Southeast Asia, addressing funding gaps, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and integrating resilience measures. It highlights Australian practices, aligning climate, disaster, and inclusion goals for sustainable infrastructure development.
Research
10 October 2024

Decarbonisation investment solutions for sectors: A discussion paper on Sector Transition Plans and their importance to investors

Investor Group on Climate Change
The report from the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) discusses the development and importance of sector transition pathways to support Australia’s decarbonisation. It highlights how clear pathways aligned with the Paris Agreement can guide investment, minimise risks, and foster collaboration among investors, governments, and companies to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Research
30 October 2023

Corporate sustainability reporting directive 2024

&Bloom
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) introduces phased sustainability reporting for entities from 2025, using European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Key requirements include double materiality assessments, mandatory disclosure in management reports, assurance processes, and compliance roadmaps. Businesses must integrate financial and sustainability reporting to align with evolving EU regulations.
Research
27 August 2024

&Bloom's New Zealand Climate Standards Toolkit

&Bloom
The New Zealand Climate Standards (NZCS) Toolkit, based on guidance from the External Reporting Board (XRB), supports entities in adopting climate-related disclosure standards. It provides a question directory, principles, and a glossary to facilitate compliance. Emphasising judgement over a checklist approach, it aims to prepare stakeholders for effective climate reporting.
Online tool/database
6 May 2024

Pensions in the age of artificial intelligence

CFA Institute
The report explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can address challenges in global pension systems. It highlights AI's potential to enhance governance, personalisation, fraud prevention, and investment strategies while emphasising ethical implementation and data privacy considerations to optimise retirement outcomes and ensure system sustainability.
Research
17 December 2024

Environmental impact of digital assets

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The report highlights the environmental impact of digital assets, focusing on energy-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanisms in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. It underscores significant carbon emissions and advocates transitioning to less energy-demanding models, renewable energy use, and cross-border cooperation. Policy recommendations include targeted regulation, enhanced data transparency, and leveraging distributed ledger technologies for sustainable finance.
Research
1 December 2022

Reframing child labour due diligence for businesses and investors in increasingly regulated and resilience challenged supply chains

The report explores reframing child labour due diligence in supply chains, emphasising systemic solutions, collaboration, and addressing root causes. It critiques current top-down models, highlighting their inefficiencies and unintended consequences.
Research
16 November 2024

U.S. climate policy and blockchain innovation in future smart and sustainable cities

This report explores blockchain's potential to address climate challenges and foster smart, sustainable cities. It highlights blockchain's capacity for decentralisation, transparency, and efficiency in urban governance, renewable energy, and civic participation. Recommendations include multi-stakeholder collaboration, educational initiatives, and human-centred design to ensure ethical, inclusive implementation for climate resilience and innovation.
Research
10 September 2023

Infrastructure tokenization: Does blockchain have a role in the financing of infrastructure?

The World Bank
The report explores the potential of blockchain technology in financing infrastructure projects. It evaluates blockchain's capabilities in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in infrastructure tokenisation, while addressing challenges like regulatory constraints, market adoption, and technical barriers. The findings highlight both opportunities and limitations for integrating blockchain into infrastructure financing.
Research
18 April 2023

Responsible investment and blockchain

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
The report explores blockchain technology's relevance to responsible investment, highlighting its potential to enhance transparency, automate processes, and improve ESG data tracking. It discusses blockchain's implications for shareholder voting, decentralised systems, financial inclusivity, and sustainability. Practical challenges, including regulation, technical integration, and energy use, are also addressed. .
Research
17 April 2018

Biodiversity credit markets: The role of law, regulation, and policy

Pollination
This report explores legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks to develop high-integrity biodiversity credit markets. These markets aim to finance nature-positive and equitable outcomes, providing innovative and scalable funding for biodiversity conservation and restoration. This report provides investors with insights into the legal and regulatory foundations that support high quality offset markets. As such, this report can be used as a tool to inform policy advocacy in the biodiversity credit market space.
Research
3 May 2023

UN Environment Programme's emissions gap report series

United Nations Environment Programme
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.
Benchmark/series

The financial stability implications of artificial intelligence

Financial Stability Board (FSB)
The report discusses the rapid adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector, driven by advancements in technology and increasing operational efficiency. Key risks include dependencies on third-party providers, market correlations, and cyber vulnerabilities. Generative AI's accessibility could amplify systemic risks, necessitating enhanced regulatory frameworks, vigilant monitoring, and robust governance to ensure financial stability amid evolving AI technologies.
Research
14 November 2024
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