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
344 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16
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.
Climate warriors down under: Contextualising Australia’s youth climate justice movement
This report explores the youth-led climate justice movement in Australia, focusing on the socio-political context and challenges young activists face. It highlights the role of non-violent, collective action, key groups such as the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, and the impact of climate-related litigation cases, while addressing barriers like media bias and anti-protest laws.
Trade sanctions and the stability of climate coalitions
This report investigates the impact of trade sanctions on the stability of climate coalitions, finding that sanctions can increase coalition size when coalitions are large. However, smaller coalitions risk destabilisation if retaliation occurs. While sanctions may foster cooperation, global welfare implications remain mixed due to trade distortions.
Cooler finance: Mobilizing investment for the developing world’s sustainable cooling needs
The report highlights the critical need for sustainable cooling in developing countries to meet climate goals, reduce emissions, and support health, food security, and productivity. It estimates a market demand of $600 billion annually by 2050 and provides strategies to attract private investment through policy, financing models, and international collaboration.
The building blocks supporting open finance
This working paper explores how open finance can drive financial inclusion by reducing costs, improving access, and providing better-suited products for underserved populations. Key building blocks—digital accounts, fast payments, and diverse financial providers—are essential for achieving open finance's potential, with case studies from Brazil and India highlighting successful implementation pathways.
ESG and executive remuneration in Europe
The report examines the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) metrics into executive compensation strategies within Europe's largest listed companies. It analyses how ESG targets influence remuneration policies and explores concerns regarding their effectiveness. The report also discusses policy implications, highlighting the need for stronger corporate culture shifts to ensure sustainable business practices.
A tool for developing credible transition plans: Public edition for asset owner pilot-testing
This report provides asset owners with guidance for preparing and evaluating transition plans. It highlights key elements for credibility, outlines relevant frameworks, and offers recommendations for both preparers and users of transition plans, enhancing transparency and accountability in achieving net-zero goals.
Nature-related litigation: Emerging trends and lessons learned from climate-related litigation
This report explores emerging trends in nature-related litigation, focusing on biodiversity, deforestation, ocean degradation, and plastic pollution. It highlights the legal risks for the financial sector and calls for increased monitoring. Lessons from climate-related litigation are applied to nature protection strategies, impacting regulatory and corporate practices.
Climate-related litigation: recent trends and developments
The report highlights the growing volume and diversity of climate-related litigation. It outlines legal trends targeting financial and non-financial institutions and governments, with significant implications for financial risks and reputational damage. The report emphasises the potential increase in litigation tied to climate disclosure laws, greenwashing, and corporate responsibilities.
The effect of pricing instruments on CO2 emissions: Empirical evidence from Australia
The report evaluates Australia's short-lived carbon tax and renewable energy policies. It finds a 7% per capita emissions reduction from 2009 to 2018, with effects weakening after policy repeal. Coal exports increased during this period, potentially offsetting domestic emission reductions.
The demand for a fair international financial architecture
The report explores the Global South's calls for reforming the international financial system. It highlights six key outcomes: improved representation, faster response times, increased funding scale, sustainable financing, enhanced global solidarity, and fostering economic self-reliance. The report underscores the urgency of reforming global financial institutions to address disparities.
