Library | ESG issues
Long-termism
Long-termism prioritises enduring strategies over immediate gains, ensuring sustainable development and resource availability for future generations. Corporations and investors are encouraged to consider the long-term consequences of their decisions, moving beyond short-term profit motives to incorporate sustainability and intergenerational impacts. A long-term approach can enhance financial resilience, mitigate risks, and generate more stable and sustainable returns over time.
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Climate endgame: Exploring catastrophic climate change scenarios
This report explores the potential for worldwide societal collapse and human extinction due to anthropogenic climate change. It argues that this topic has not been given enough consideration despite existing evidence of catastrophic outcomes. The proposed research agenda seeks to understand the likelihood and mechanisms of such events and their implications for policy.
Right direction, wrong equipment: Why transition risks do not fit into regulatory stress tests
The authors of this report explore the challenges of integrating climate-related risks into regulatory stress tests. They demonstrate that supervisory risk assessment frameworks struggle to capture long-term systemic risks, and offer recommendations for developing a 'long-term risk;' supervision 'infrastructure.'
Reinventing capitalism: A transformation agenda
This issue brief by World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) explores the need for a reinvented capitalism that prioritises true value over value extraction. It examines the unsustainable outcomes of contemporary capitalism and presents a transformation agenda to help steer businesses towards a sustainable global economy.
Business reporting on the SDGs: An analysis of the goals and targets 2022
This report offers a comprehensive overview of the Sustainable Development Goals and how businesses can align their practices with these goals through transparent disclosures and disclosures reporting. This 2022 edition provides actionable steps for businesses to contribute to sustainable development.
Business of peace: The private sector as a partner in conflict prevention and resolution
This report explores how multinational corporations can support conflict prevention and resolution. It emphasizes the cost of conflict to corporate operations and reputation, identifies opportunities for corporate leadership, and provides case studies of how some corporations work with local governments, NGOs, and social entrepreneurs.
The third, systems stage of corporate governance: Why institutional investors need to move beyond modern portfolio theory
The authors of this paper argue that institutional investors need to move beyond Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), and consider a wider risk management strategy. The paper outlines the potential failings of MPT and suggests ways for institutional investors to better align with the needs of society and the economy.
Prosperity without growth: The transition to a sustainable economy
The authors of this report argue that society's pursuit of economic growth has been detrimental to the environment and economic sustainability. The report challenges traditional thinking around the benefits of growth and argues for a new macro-economics for sustainability.
Shifting the financial system: Accelerating sustainable finance at banks
This report provides insights from banking professionals on accelerating sustainable finance amid the challenges and opportunities of the global climate crisis. It analyses the role of banks in fostering sustainability, providing capital to low-carbon solutions, and aligning with Paris Agreement targets. The report gives recommendations for addressing climate change.
Who owns a company?
This speech examines the evolution of corporate governance, focusing on the shift towards shareholder primacy. It discusses the incentive problems this model creates, such as short-termism and excessive risk-taking, and their economic consequences. The speech concludes by exploring potential policy responses to mitigate these issues.
G-20: Data enhancement and coordination in SME finance
This report examines small and medium enterprise finance indicators collected by development finance institutions. The analysis reveals the limits of SME finance data and underscores the need for better coordination and more gender-disaggregated data. Recommendations include a common collection approach and joint data-sharing of core indicators.
Sustainable investing in pensions: Top tips for sponsors of pension schemes
This report provides insight into embedding social and environmental risk into pension schemes to meet the growing economical demand. This guidance provides actionable top-tips for any sponsor to take the necessary steps to align their organisation's values with their pension scheme.
Aligning to a net zero pathway: Top tips for pension scheme trustees
This report provides practical insights for pension scheme trustees in aligning their investments with a net zero pathway. The guide's tips are broadly applicable to pension funds across the globe. It defines "net zero," the challenges and opportunities facing trustees, and the importance of stakeholder engagement in crafting a successful transition.
Intentionally designed endowment primer
This primer provides insight into aligning endowment investments with institutional missions while considering sustainability. The report includes strategic questions, background, examples, and relevant research. Intended for fiduciaries, this primer encourages institutional acceptance and deployment of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria to facilitate profitable sustainability while advancing social purpose.
Future of sustainability in investment management: From ideas to reality
This report examines sustainable investing, considering the increasing investor demand for ESG factors and how to adapt to the sustainability paradigm. It identifies business model and investment model drivers, as well as operating and people model enablers and the challenges and skills required for integrating ESG.
Primer on climate change: Directors’ duties and disclosure obligations
This report provides an overview of contemporary evidence that climate change presents foreseeable, and in many cases material, financial and systemic risks that affect corporations and their investors. It discusses general climate obligations, directors' duties, disclosure obligations, and advice to directors, emphasising the importance of embedding climate change in financial risk management, disclosure, and supervisory practices.
The debt-fossil fuel trap: Why debt is a barrier to fossil fuel phase-out and what we can do about it
This paper explores the links between indebtedness and fossil fuel exploitation in developing countries. The briefing concludes with recommendations for achieving debt justice, preserving the environment, and tackling climate change.
