Library | ESG issues

Marketing & Labelling

Marketing is the act of promoting a product or service. Labelling is presenting information about a product. Misleading marketing and labelling can lead to greenwashing, where companies or investment managers falsely present themselves as sustainable to attract investors. This practice undermines trust and poses significant risks to investors. Investment analysts assess the financial impact of such misrepresentations, engage with companies to promote transparency, and integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into investment strategies to mitigate these risks.

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Sustainable Market Share Index 2025 report

NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business
This 2025 report by the NYU Stern Centre for Sustainable Business analyses CPG sales, finding sustainability-marketed products hold a 25.4% branded market share. These products grow 4.9 times faster than conventional counterparts and command a 26.6% price premium, despite inflation. Market shares are significantly higher in Germany and the UK.
Research
1 January 2025

Making credible sustainability claims: A guidance series for schemes and companies

ISEAL Alliance
This report guides companies and sustainability schemes in making credible environmental claims under the EU ECGT Directive. It differentiates between specific and generic claims, outlines performance requirements, and offers principles for clear, accurate communications to prevent greenwashing and restore consumer trust.
Research
1 August 2026

Impact investing messaging playbook

Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
The GIIN Impact Investing Messaging Playbook provides a unified communication framework for members. It outlines core industry stories, guiding principles, and tailored messaging for diverse audiences and sectors, including energy and healthcare. The report highlights the industry's growth to a $1.571 trillion market dedicated to solving systemic global problems.
Research
23 September 2026

Thematic notes on clear, fair & not misleading sustainability-related claims: Addressing greenwashing risks in support of sustainable investments: Third note: impact claims

This ESMA report provides guidance on avoiding greenwashing in sustainability impact claims. It outlines four key principles—accuracy, accessibility, substantiation, and timeliness—while defining theoretical concepts like intentionality and additionality. Practical do’s and don’ts for funds and bonds help market participants ensure communications are clear, fair, and not misleading.
Research
12 October 2026

Beyond greenwashing: ESG disclosure substance, investor flows, and fund behavior

This research examines mutual fund ESG disclosures in shareholder letters. It finds that only 'opportunistic' disclosures focused on financial value attract significant investor flows. While aggregate data suggests greenwashing, granular analysis reveals 'impact' disclosures result in genuine portfolio improvements. However, opportunistic claims increase outflow risks if performance disappoints.
Research
1 June 2026

Administrative and market frictions in the choice between green and conventional bonds

This research investigates how administrative frictions and institutional environments influence corporate green bond issuance. Using global data from 2013–2024, it finds that bureaucratic complexity reduces green labelling probability, particularly outside transition-intensive sectors. Mandatory sustainability disclosure significantly increases issuance, highlighting the importance of efficient implementation for sustainable finance policies.
Research
28 February 2026

Taskforce on official standards and the Green Bond Principles. Phase 1: Comparison of the Green Bond Principles and the European Green Bond Standard

International Capital Market Association
This report compares the voluntary Green Bond Principles with the regulatory European Green Bond Standard. It identifies high proximity and synergy between the frameworks, providing guidance on how issuers can navigate both sets of requirements to enhance transparency and facilitate global investor recognition in the sustainable finance market.
Research
22 June 2026

Final report on the amending guidelines on product oversight and governance arrangements for retail banking products to take into account products with ESG features and greenwashing risks

The EBA's final report amends the 2016 Product Oversight and Governance (POG) Guidelines to incorporate ESG features and greenwashing risks for retail banking products. Key changes include requirements for manufacturers and distributors to prevent greenwashing, extended scope to non-bank consumer credit providers, and an application date of 11 January 2027.
Research
30 June 2026

Reliability of sustainability claims: Addressing greenwashing through regulations

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
This report analyses 23 regulatory instruments across 12 jurisdictions to assess global responses to greenwashing. It highlights the reliance on cross-sectoral consumer protection laws and identifies challenges in substantiation. Recommendations include adopting proportionate approaches, investing in data infrastructure, and clarifying the role of voluntary sustainability standards.
Research
13 May 2026

RIAA Conference Australia 2026 - Companion Resources

Responsible investment has moved well beyond principles and pledges. Today’s challenges require practical capability and informed judgement. The RIAA Conference is a must-attend event for finance, sustainability and industry practitioners who want to focus on the key themes for responsible investment in 2026 and what implementation really looks like. Designed as an immersive, hands-on experience, the program focuses on the systems that underpin strong financial performance, and will help you understand how climate, nature, technology, governance and regulation intersect. 

These specially curated companion resources have been recommended by the conference speakers and Altiorem team.
Article
14 May 2026

Exposing tobacco companies’ retail presence and highlighting regulatory options

The report outlines how tobacco companies use retailer incentives, targeted in-store marketing, and retailer lobbying to sustain product visibility and influence regulation. It reviews policy options, including retail licensing, outlet restrictions, and sales limitations, aimed at reducing tobacco availability and countering industry presence in retail settings.
Research
11 April 2026

ASEAN SDG Bond Toolkit

Climate Bonds Initiative
Provides practical guidance for issuing SDG bonds in ASEAN, outlining principles, processes, and frameworks aligned with green, social and sustainability bond standards. It explains SDG mapping, eligibility criteria, reporting practices, and market context to support issuers in mobilising capital for sustainable development.
Research
1 December 2021

Framing and language for effective climate conversations

Altiorem
Guide outlines how framing and language influence climate engagement, especially among ‘middle ground’ audiences. It emphasises aligning messages with shared values, avoiding polarising or technical language, and using practical, relatable framing to build support for emissions reduction and climate action.
Research
11 June 2024

Australian taxonomy-aligned debt guidance: Issuing use-of-proceeds debt under the Australian sustainable finance taxonomy

Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI)
Guidance explains applying the Australian sustainable finance taxonomy to use-of-proceeds debt, outlining classification, allocation, and disclosure requirements. It details technical screening criteria, Do No Significant Harm and social safeguards, and supports consistent, transparent identification of climate-aligned investments for issuers and investors.
Research
23 March 2026

Communicating climate change and migration: A user’s guide to navigating the research

Climate Outreach
This report guides practitioners on communicating climate-linked migration, highlighting research gaps, biases and limited diversity. It emphasises critical engagement with academic literature, improved representation of affected communities, and the need for nuanced, interdisciplinary approaches to inform effective, ethical communication strategies.
Research
12 April 2024

Communicating effectively with the centre-right about household energy-efficiency and renewable energy technologies

Climate Outreach
Report presents UK qualitative research on centre-right attitudes to energy efficiency and renewables, finding trust deficits and scepticism. Messaging aligned with values—avoiding waste, local control, and authenticity—resonates best, while economic or corporate framing underperforms. Emphasises credible messengers and community-based approaches.
Research
17 December 2016
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