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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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.
IFIS
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.
The finfluencer appeal: Investing in the age of social media
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.
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.
Truth in impact: A Tideline guide to using the impact investment label
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.
Circular to management companies of SFC-authorised unit trusts and mutual funds ESG funds
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.
Aggregate confusion: the divergence of ESG ratings
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.
Project SAGE series - Gender-lens investing
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.
Greenwashing risks in asset management: Staying one step ahead
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.
Global ESG disclosure standards for investment products
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.
A status report on financial institutions’ experiences from working with green, non green and brown financial assets and a potential risk differential
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.
Healthy competition: Why the safest bet for investors is healthier retail markets and how to get there
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.
Hitting the sweet spot: The investment case for solutions to childhood obesity
This report discusses the growing cost to society posed by rising rates of obesity in children and adults. It identifies risks and opportunities for investors created by shifting trends in the food and beverage markets, driven by evolving consumer demands and regulatory changes.
International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund is an organisation composed of 190 countries that work in collaboration to ensure the stability of the international monetary system. It engages in global financial and economic affairs to promote growth and sustainability as well as facilitate international trade and cooperation.
The European commission action plan: Financing sustainable growth
The report provides an explanation of the ten reform areas included in the European Commission Action Plan (2018), as well as possible impacts for investors. Four of these actions: taxonomy, disclosure and duties, benchmarks and investment advice were submitted as regulatory proposals to the European Parliament in 2018.
ESG considerations in fixed income: Observation of 10 ESG integration trends
This paper shares key ESG integration trends that Russell Investments has found in the fixed income market. It is based off observations derived from their 2019 Annual ESG Manager Survey and discussions with fixed income market practitioners looking at ESG considerations and implementations in their investment process.
