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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Screening for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems: Guidance and tools for government officials
This report provides guidance for government officials on screening investments in agriculture and food systems to ensure responsible practices. It outlines due diligence processes to assess investors, potential risks, and benefits while promoting sustainable development. The toolkit includes adaptable screening tools to identify responsible projects and enhance transparency in investment decisions.
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) is a leading research centre focused on sustainable investment practices. CCSI provides resources, analysis, and tools to support responsible investment in natural resources and infrastructure. Its work promotes social, environmental, and economic sustainability while addressing issues like human rights and community engagement.
The role of commercial paper in the sustainable finance market
This report explores the growing role of commercial paper (CP) in sustainable finance, focusing on its use in financing green and sustainable projects. It categorises CP into Use of Proceeds and Sustainability-Linked CP, discussing market data, feasibility, and challenges.
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.
Sustainable behavior in climate pledges: An analysis of top emitters’ strategies
This report analyses how the top 20 highest-emitting countries address pro-climate behaviour through their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It highlights that while progress has been made in promoting electric vehicles, public transport, and household energy efficiency, crucial areas like sustainable diets and air travel are often overlooked, limiting the potential for impactful change.
Sustainable finance in Asia: A comparative study of national taxonomies
This report compares national sustainable finance taxonomies in Asia, highlighting the variability in standards and approaches. It underscores the need for greater alignment with international frameworks to reduce inconsistencies, enhance clarity, and promote sustainable investments. Differences in fossil fuel treatment and transition finance provisions pose challenges to harmonisation and investor confidence.
Bioscience's annual state of the climate report series
This series offers an annual overview of climate trends, examining key indicators and events that impact the global environment. It provides insights into planetary vital signs, climate impacts, and extreme weather, making it an essential resource for finance professionals seeking to understand the implications of climate change on economic systems.
Improving governance on nature-related risks and opportunities
This brief highlights how biodiversity loss poses risks to businesses and urges company directors to integrate nature considerations into strategic planning. It assesses companies' practices using the World Benchmarking Alliance's Nature Benchmark and provides key insights for directors to manage nature-related risks and opportunities, enhancing corporate resilience in a nature-positive transition.
Green investing and political behavior
This study examines whether green investing reduces political support for climate regulation. Using a pre-registered experiment involving a real referendum in Switzerland, the findings suggest that climate-conscious investments do not erode support for climate policies. The study provides evidence that sustainable investing and political engagement are complementary, not substitutes.
Financing a sustainable global bioeconomy
This report highlights the role of bioeconomy finance in addressing climate, nature, and equity goals. This report analyses challenges, instruments, and opportunities for financing the bioeconomy globally, advocating for integrated strategies and international collaboration. It emphasises equitable development, biodiversity conservation, and the potential for job creation and economic growth.
Diving deep: Finance, ocean pollution and coastal resilience
This report explores how financial institutions can drive sustainability in ocean-linked sectors, focusing on coastal infrastructure and waste management. It highlights sustainable financing principles, encouraging banks, insurers, and investors to mitigate environmental risks and support nature-based solutions for climate resilience, biodiversity, and economic prosperity in the blue economy.
Financial system interactions with ecosystem tipping points: Evidence from the Brazilian Amazon and Indonesian peatlands
Examining the interplay between financial systems and ecological thresholds, this research identifies pivotal financial flows linked to land use changes in the Brazilian Amazon and Indonesian peatlands. It proposes targeted interventions to steer these investments towards sustainable practices, emphasising the need for global policy alignment to mitigate the systemic risks posed by ecosystem tipping points.
Accelerating finance for nature: Barriers and recommendations for scaling private sector investment
This report assesses the barriers and opportunities for scaling private sector investment in natural capital. It outlines key recommendations, including the establishment of a Nature Finance Accelerator, to drive financial flows towards nature. The study highlights the importance of overcoming low returns, small deal sizes, and high transaction costs to attract private investment.
Advancing resilient nature positive insurance in Australia
This report highlights the essential role of nature in supporting the global economy, underscoring the insurance sector's crucial function in managing financial and economic risks linked to nature loss. This encompasses integrating nature-related considerations into underwriting and investment activities and advancing nature-positive insurance practices.
Setting sail: Target setting in the sustainable blue economy
This report provides a manual to guide financial institutions in implementing target-setting practices within the blue economy. It outlines the principles of sustainable finance, focusing on sectors like seafood and aquaculture. The document includes guidance for creating actionable targets, monitoring progress, and integrating environmental and social risks, with case studies and examples for practical application.
Investing in natural capital: Innovations supporting much-needed financing for nature
The report highlights the growing importance of natural capital in economic and environmental sustainability. It emphasises technological advances, innovative financial instruments, and new business models that support nature-positive investments. The report also presents case studies showcasing successful projects aimed at preserving biodiversity and scaling investments in natural capital through innovative financing mechanisms and technology-driven solutions.
