Library | ESG issues

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How to build a better ESG fund classification system

CFA Institute
The report outlines the challenges of ESG fund classification and proposes a structured framework based on three observable features: ESG information use for risk-adjusted returns, policies controlling ESG exposure, and explicit impact objectives. It critiques existing regulatory approaches and suggests improvements for investor clarity, regulatory effectiveness, and research utility.
Research
10 September 2024

The naming and classification of sustainability topics in the context of impact management

The report examines variations in naming and classifying sustainability topics across 33 global frameworks. These inconsistencies hinder effective impact management and interoperability, limiting holistic understanding. Recommendations include enhancing conceptual coherence, fostering collaboration across frameworks, and improving clarity on emerging topics to support sustainable practices and policy alignment.
Research
6 December 2024

Synthetic content: Exploring the risks, technical approaches, and regulatory responses

Future of Privacy Forum (FPF)
Generative AI enables the rapid creation of synthetic content, offering both opportunities and risks. This report examines challenges like disinformation and fraud, outlines technical and regulatory strategies, and explores trade-offs with privacy. Techniques discussed include watermarking, provenance tracking, and legal frameworks, aiming to enhance transparency while safeguarding privacy.
Research
15 October 2024

Net Environmental Contribution (NEC) metric

This tool measures the environmental impact of economic activity, company, or sector, to deliver a net contribution value on -100% to +100% scale, using physical data from across the value chain. It can be applied at company, portfolio, index, product/source levels. Includes qualitative and quantitative criteria on biodiversity.
Online tool/database

IFIS

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
International Food Information Service (IFIS) is a leading provider of scientific information on food and beverages. It offers access to research, data, and resources to support professionals and researchers in the food industry. IFIS is known for its database, FSTA, which delivers reliable, peer-reviewed content on food science and technology.
Organisation

The finfluencer appeal: Investing in the age of social media

CFA Institute
The report titled examines the role of financial influencers ("finfluencers") in shaping investment decisions, especially among Gen-Z investors. It highlights the regulatory challenges posed by finfluencers, explores their content's appeal to younger audiences, and provides recommendations for enhancing financial literacy and regulatory frameworks.
Research
23 January 2024

Climate change and economics 101: Teaching the greatest market failure

This report analyses 27 introductory economics textbooks used in the US that cover micro and macroeconomics to assess their treatment of climate change. Authors find limited coverage in texts and that most texts relate climate change to the negative externality of carbon emissions. Market solutions such as cap-and-trade and carbon taxes are recommended.
Research
4 March 2019

Truth in impact: A Tideline guide to using the impact investment label

Tideline
This report provides insights on sustainable investing labelling. Investors can self-classify and maintain market integrity through clear, accurate labelling backed by independent verification. The report offers a proprietary Framework for Impact Labeling, case studies, and observations about sustainable investing.
Research
4 August 2021

Circular to management companies of SFC-authorised unit trusts and mutual funds ESG funds

Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) released a new circular prescribing disclosure requirements and periodic assessments for SFC-authorised unit trusts and mutual funds that focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. Fund managers must include comprehensive disclosures in annual reports and take regular steps to ensure ESG investments align with a fund's intention.
Research
29 June 2021

Aggregate confusion: the divergence of ESG ratings

MIT Sloan School of Management
The research investigates the disagreement in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings between rating providers. Three factors are identified: measurement divergence, scope divergence and weight divergence. The paper argues for a standardisation of ESG indicators and measurement procedures to reduce the discrepancy in ESG ratings.
Research
15 August 2019

Project SAGE series - Gender-lens investing

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
The 'Project SAGE' series are benchmark reports released by the Wharton Social Impact Initiative, tracks venture capital, private equity, and private debt investments with a gender lens. The project's goal was to provide a “point in time” capture of the expanding gender lens investing opportunities globally.
Benchmark/series

Greenwashing risks in asset management: Staying one step ahead

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (Deloitte)
The practice of greenwashing is a key regulatory concern in the UK, EU and globally. Greenwashing involves making misleading statements about sustainable products. This report examines how greenwashing occurs and the regulatory initiatives that have emerged to combat this. The report provides five steps firms can take to prevent greenwashing.
Research
3 May 2022

Global ESG disclosure standards for investment products

CFA Institute
This report presents the “Global ESG disclosure standards for investment products” developed by the CFA Institute to facilitate fair representation and full disclosure by investment managers in relation to how environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues are considered in an investment product’s objectives, investment process or stewardship activities.
Research
1 November 2021

A status report on financial institutions’ experiences from working with green, non green and brown financial assets and a potential risk differential

Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System
This 2020 report presents the results from a survey that assesses whether a risk differential can be detected between green, non-green and brown financial assets (loans and bonds). Based on information obtained by 49 banks, it presents a snapshot of current practices among financial institutions in their asset allocation.
Research
31 May 2020

Global sustainable investment review 2020

Responsible Investment Association Australasia
This report maps the state of sustainable investment in the global financial markets and demonstrates that sustainable investment is a major force that is shaping the global capital markets. It also highlights the rapid developments within sustainable investment industry and emphasises moving the industry towards best standards of practice.
Benchmark/series
29 July 2021

Healthy competition: Why the safest bet for investors is healthier retail markets and how to get there

ShareAction
This second briefing report explores ShareAction’s Healthy Markets campaign, featuring the UK food retailers most exposed to the childhood obesity agenda. The brief is designed to inform and support investor stewardship and company engagement through an analysis of their disclosure policies and practices for healthy eating.
Research
11 March 2020
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