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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How to address the corporate community engagement gap: The case for a pooled fund for legal and technical support
This report makes the case for a pooled fund to provide independent legal and technical support to communities affected by land-based investments. The fund aims to bridge the gap in corporate-community engagement, reduce social and environmental risks, and improve human rights due diligence by empowering communities to engage on equal footing with businesses.
Are high-interest loans predatory? Theory and evidence from payday lending
This report investigates whether high-interest payday loans are predatory by exploring borrower behaviour and the impact of regulatory measures. Using an experiment with payday loan borrowers, the study finds that while inexperienced borrowers are often overoptimistic about repayment, more experienced ones anticipate future borrowing accurately.
UNEP's state of finance for nature series
This series tracks global financial flows to nature-based solutions (NbS) and highlights the gaps between current investments and what is needed to address biodiversity loss, land degradation, and climate change. It examines both public and private sector funding, while also focusing on nature-negative financial flows.
Certifications Red Flags tool
This tool helps finance professionals identify potential risks in investment certifications. It provides a structured framework for assessing the credibility of certifications, enhancing decision-making in responsible investment practices. Users can access key indicators of reliability and transparency in various certifications.
Infrastructure for a climate-resilient future
The report outlines the critical role of climate-resilient infrastructure in addressing the increasing impacts of climate change. It emphasises the need for integrated planning, financing, and the adoption of nature-based solutions to enhance infrastructure resilience. The report also highlights the economic benefits and policy recommendations for building robust infrastructure systems globally, especially in developing countries.
finra
FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) is a not-for-profit organisation that regulates broker-dealers and securities firms to protect investors and ensure market integrity. It provides education, registration, and oversight for financial professionals. FINRA enforces compliance with securities laws and regulations to maintain fair financial markets in the United States.
Modern slavery UK benchmark 2023
The Modern Slavery UK Benchmark is a benchmark designed to assess UK-listed companies on their efforts to address modern slavery. It evaluates corporate disclosures, compliance with the UK Modern Slavery Act, and actions taken to find, fix, and prevent modern slavery within supply chains. The benchmark helps investors engage with companies and promotes improvements in corporate practices.
Financing for sustainability: Asia-Pacific's ESG market opportunities
The report examines the integration of ESG factors into mainstream finance in the Asia-Pacific region. It highlights challenges like greenwashing, regulatory uncertainty, and macroeconomic instability. It also outlines opportunities for sustainable finance growth, driven by data integrity, net-zero commitments, and evolving regulatory frameworks.
World Bank's state of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector series
This series examines the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector, addressing critical data gaps, sustainable development challenges, and the sector's contribution to global supply chains. It highlights gender equality, occupational health, and safety, while showcasing strategies to formalise ASM and improve its economic and social impact.
The real effects of supply chain transparency regulation – Evidence from Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act
Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act requires firms to disclose if they source conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report shows that increased public attention leads to responsible sourcing, which mitigates conflicts in mining regions. Certified smelters play a key role in these efforts.
Standard for Responsible Mining and Mineral Processing 2.0
The IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining and Mineral Processing 2.0 (Draft Version) outlines best practices for mining, mineral development, and processing to enhance environmental and social responsibility. It aims to improve industry standards, promote transparency, and support compliance with local and international regulations.
IRMA Standard for Responsible Mining IRMA-STD-001
The Standard for Responsible Mining sets out best practices for industrial-scale mining. It focuses on social, environmental, and economic aspects, providing third-party certification for responsible performance. The Standard covers areas such as community engagement, human rights, and environmental management, aiming to promote transparency, improve mining practices, and support positive legacies for communities and ecosystems.
A practical guide for business: Air pollutant emission assessment
This guide provides businesses with a framework to quantify air pollutant emissions along their value chains. It offers methodologies for assessing emissions from key sources such as electricity, fuel combustion, and transportation, helping businesses reduce pollutants and support better health outcomes and environmental sustainability.
The conflict minerals handbook: Your guide to compliance
This report outlines best practices for complying with conflict minerals regulations. It covers the definition of conflict minerals, due diligence processes, and the broader impact of responsible sourcing. Key guidelines include using the OECD Due Diligence framework and tools like the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) for supply chain transparency.
Evaluating due diligence programs for conflict minerals: A matched analysis of 3T mines in eastern DRC
This report evaluates the impact of due diligence programs (DDP) on 3T mines (tin, tantalum, and tungsten) in Eastern DRC. It finds reductions in interference by armed forces, increased state presence, but no significant changes in child labour rates. Economic improvements are noted, but DDP does not eliminate all mining-related harms.
Sub-Saharan Field Research and Consultancies (SFR)
Sub-Saharan Field Research and Consultancies (SFR) is a Nairobi-based organisation providing expert research, consulting, and training services across Africa. Specialising in social and environmental impact assessments, SFR supports sustainable development initiatives by delivering actionable insights. Clients include governments, NGOs, and private sector firms.
