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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Financial Reporting Council (FRC)
Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is UK’s independent regulator for corporate governance, audit, accounting and actuarial professions. It sets standards such as Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes, supervises audit quality, and enforces compliance. FRC promotes transparency, integrity and investor confidence in financial reporting, supporting effective capital markets and responsible business practices.
IFC's performance standards on environmental and social sustainability
The IFC Performance Standards (2012) form part of the Sustainability Framework, setting requirements for clients to identify, manage, and mitigate environmental and social risks in financed projects. They comprise eight standards covering areas such as labour, resource efficiency, biodiversity, and community impacts, and are widely used as a global benchmark for responsible investment.
Implications of the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on Climate Change for directors’ duties in relation to climate-related risks
Examines how the ICJ’s climate advisory opinion may elevate climate-related risks and regulatory pressures, increasing directors’ duty of care. Highlights litigation, disclosure, and transition risks, particularly for emissions-intensive sectors, and emphasises informed decision-making and accurate reporting to mitigate liability.
Oxford climate policy monitor: 2025 annual review
Assesses climate policies across 37 jurisdictions and six domains, finding overall strengthening despite political pressures, but slow implementation. Highlights rising policy leadership in developing regions and persistent gaps in ambition and execution relative to Paris Agreement targets.
Good practices for handling whistleblower disclosures
ASIC report outlines good practices for whistleblower programmes, based on a review of selected firms. It highlights governance, culture, training, monitoring, and use of disclosures to improve performance, alongside executive accountability and board oversight to ensure compliance with Corporations Act requirements.
The business case for “speaking up”: How internal reporting mechanisms strengthen private-sector organisations
Explains how internal whistleblowing systems help organisations detect misconduct early, reduce legal and financial risks, and strengthen compliance, culture and reputation. It outlines key features of effective mechanisms and demonstrates their role in improving risk management, preventing losses and supporting long-term value creation.
Horizon Scanning: Risk and regulation in the GCC
This report outlines 2026 financial crime and regulatory risks in the GCC, focusing on AI-enabled fraud, digital assets, cybercrime, beneficial ownership, supply chains, sanctions, and tougher AML/CFT oversight linked to upcoming FATF evaluations and recent legal reforms in the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a United Nations specialised agency that coordinates global information and communication technologies. It develops international telecom standards, manages radio spectrum and satellite orbits, and supports digital connectivity. ITU works with governments and industry to expand inclusive, reliable networks and reduce the global digital divide.
Horizon scanning: Financial crime risks and regulation in the UK
This report outlines emerging UK financial crime risks for 2026, highlighting AI-enabled fraud, cyber-enabled crime, sanctions evasion, and organised networks. It examines evolving regulatory expectations, stricter enforcement, and expanded oversight, emphasising the need for proactive risk management, robust controls, and enhanced compliance frameworks.
ESG regulations tracking tool
Fitch’s ESG Regulations Tracking Tool monitors global ESG-related regulatory developments affecting corporates. It provides structured, regularly updated insights on policy changes, jurisdictional trends and compliance requirements, supporting finance professionals in assessing regulatory risk, aligning strategies and understanding evolving ESG obligations across multiple markets and sectors.
Mind the gap: An insurance climate vulnerability assessment
APRA assesses Australia’s home insurance protection gap under climate scenarios, finding affordability pressures may increase uninsured households from one in seven to one in four by 2050. Rising weather risks and economic factors drive premiums, widening financial system risks, particularly in regional areas, with implications for households, insurers and banks.
Governing for net zero: The board's role in organisational transition planning
This report guides Australian boards on integrating net zero transition planning into strategy, governance, disclosure and stakeholder engagement. It outlines directors’ legal duties, mandatory climate reporting requirements, and practical oversight questions to help organisations manage climate-related risks, opportunities and implementation.
Heightened human rights due diligence
UNDP’s training guide explains heightened human rights due diligence for companies in conflict-affected contexts, outlining frameworks, legal expectations and practical steps to assess, mitigate and remedy impacts on human rights and conflict, supported by case studies and tools to guide implementation.
Sustainable Finance Roundup March 2026: Markets, Climate Risk, and the Transition in Practice
This month’s sustainability roundup captures a shift from framework development to real-world application, where climate and nature risks are increasingly embedded across financial systems, legal accountability, and decision-making. It highlights how intensifying physical climate signals, evolving disclosures, and maturing litigation are converging with insights on sovereign risk, energy systems, and corporate strategy. Together, these developments show how sustainability is moving beyond principle—being tested, priced, and enforced across markets, regulation, and the real economy.
Managing risks created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Enhanced due diligence and advanced know your-customer policies
The report advises firms to strengthen due diligence and advanced know-your-customer checks to prevent sanctions evasion and re-exports supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. It highlights front-company red flags, recommends stronger internal controls and information-sharing, and uses case studies to show how diversion risks can be detected.
European Central Bank (ECB)
European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank of the eurozone, responsible for monetary policy, price stability and financial supervision. Based in Frankfurt, it sets interest rates, manages the euro and oversees banking systems. ECB provides data, research and policy insights relevant to economists, investors and finance professionals.
