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.
Refine
501 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16
Distinguishing among climate change-related risks
The report distinguishes planetary, economic and financial climate risks, clarifying their differing scopes, timeframes and responsible actors. It argues that conflating these risks weakens policy and investment responses, and calls for clearer delineation to improve risk assessment, accountability and targeted climate action.
Nature as Shareholder: Who speaks for the Trees?: The opportunities and challenges of nature owning shares of companies
The paper examines the legal and practical implications of nature owning company shares, drawing on New Zealand precedents for legal personhood. It outlines governance models, challenges, and potential impacts on corporate purpose, investment, and long-term decision-making.
Nature-related risks and the duties of directors of Canadian corporations
This legal opinion examines whether nature-related risks are foreseeable and material for Canadian companies. It concludes directors must consider, manage and, where material, disclose such risks to meet fiduciary and care duties under Canadian corporate and securities law.
Green industrial policy’s unfinished business: A publicly managed fossil fuel wind-down
The report argues that green industrial policy must actively manage a fossil fuel wind-down. It contends that renewables expansion alone is insufficient, calling for public planning, regulation, and ownership to ensure equitable decarbonisation and prevent fossil fuel liabilities shifting to the public.
Council on Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global
Council on Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global is a government-appointed body advising on ethical standards for sovereign wealth fund investments. It assesses companies against human rights, environmental and governance criteria, and publishes public recommendations on exclusion or observation to support responsible investment by Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global.
Parry Field Lawyers
Parry Field Lawyers is a New Zealand-based full-service commercial law firm providing legal advice on property, business, employment, disputes, immigration, trusts, and for-purpose sector matters. It supports charities, social enterprises, and impact organisations with governance and compliance resources, operating across multiple offices since 1948.
Moving away from mass destruction:109 exclusions of nuclear weapon producers
The report reviews 109 financial institutions with policies excluding nuclear weapon producers, assessing policy scope and implementation. It finds 55 institutions apply comprehensive exclusions, while others retain gaps or exposures, reflecting growing financial-sector alignment with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
The use of the Lavender in Gaza and the law of targeting: AI-decision support systems and facial recognition technology
The report analyses Israel’s alleged use of the ‘Lavender’ AI decision-support system and facial recognition in Gaza, assessing compliance with international humanitarian law. It highlights risks from inaccuracy, bias, automation and opacity, concluding that commanders must retain judgement and verification to meet targeting obligations.
Supplement to the target market to include information on sustainability related objectives1 and sustainability factors
This supplement outlines a framework for classifying financial products by sustainability objectives under MiFID II. It defines ESG target markets, minimum exclusions, PAIs, and alignment with SFDR and Taxonomy rules across securities, funds, bonds, and certificates.
Green finance was supposed to contribute solutions to climate change. So far, it’s fallen well short
The article argues that while climate disclosure and green finance initiatives have expanded since Mark Carney’s “tragedy of the horizon” speech, they have failed to shift capital at the scale required to address climate and nature risks. It contends that deeper structural reforms to financial valuation, incentives and capital allocation are needed to move beyond managing symptoms toward financing real-world solutions.
Investing with integrity ii: How corruption undermines environmental and social outcomes
The report guides impact investors on how corruption undermines environmental and social outcomes. It outlines linked business integrity and E&S risks, due diligence focus areas, and the importance of coordinated screening, action planning and monitoring across land, labour and pollution to strengthen governance and safeguard development impact.
Next to fall: The climate-driven insurance crisis is here and getting worse
The report analyses U.S. homeowners’ insurance non-renewals, showing strong links between climate risks, rising premiums, and declining coverage. It finds coastal and wildfire-exposed regions face pronounced instability, with risks spreading inland. The Committee warns that worsening insurability could erode property values and trigger broader financial impacts.
First time implementation guide: The international standard on auditing of financial statement of less complex entities (ISA for LCE)
The guide explains how to implement the ISA for LCE, outlining its purpose, structure, applicability, key differences from full ISAs, and transitional considerations. It supports auditors in applying a proportionate, risk-based standard for less complex entities and provides supplementary guidance for adoption and reporting.
CSRD: A guide to the physical risk requirements
This guide explains Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive physical risk requirements, detailing scope, timelines and ESRS E1 disclosures. It outlines how organisations must identify, assess and report climate-related physical risks, financial impacts and adaptation actions, with a focused application to real estate portfolios.
Trillions or billions: Reassessing the potential for european institutional investment in emerging markets and developing economies
The report finds European pension funds and insurers have limited capacity to scale EMDE investment. Even doubling allocations by the 35 largest asset owners would yield about USD 120 billion annually, concentrated in investment-grade assets. Regulation constrains insurers more than pension funds.
Transparency International UK (TI-UK)
Transparency International UK (TI-UK) is a UK-based anti-corruption NGO promoting transparency, accountability and integrity. It produces research, policy analysis and advocacy on corruption risks, illicit finance and governance. Work focuses on the UK and its global influence, engaging government, business and civil society, including public reporting, campaigns and integrity standards.
