Library | ESG issues
Planetary Boundaries
The planetary boundaries framework outlines nine critical Earth system processes that regulate global stability and resilience. Exceeding these boundaries due to human activity risks irreversible environmental change, necessitating aligned strategies to mitigate impacts and safeguard long-term ecological balance. This framework can be used as a tool for assessing the environmental risks of companies and investments, helping financial institutions evaluate exposure to ecological degradation, align with sustainability goals, and drive capital toward businesses that operate within safe environmental limits.
Refine
93 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16
Integrating nature into macroeconomic models
This report summarises a workshop of 35 experts discussing the integration of nature into macroeconomic models. It highlights that current nature-blind frameworks misprice risks and undervalue natural capital. Through case studies and transmission channel mapping, it identifies practical ways to embed ecological assets into core economic decision-making processes.
Nature in portfolios: A practical framework for investment decision-making
This report introduces Northern Trust Asset Management’s Nature Framework, a three-pillar approach for integrating nature-related risks and opportunities into investment portfolios. It demonstrates that significant biodiversity impact reductions and nature-aligned outcomes can be achieved with modest active risk through targeted, materiality-based implementation and active stewardship.
ERA5 Global Climate Data
ERA5 is the fifth-generation global climate reanalysis tool from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, providing hourly estimates of atmospheric, terrestrial, and oceanic variables from 1940 to the present.
The economic case for nature: A global Earth-economy model to assess development policy pathways
This World Bank report examines the economic rationale for investing in nature using a global Earth-economy model. It demonstrates that ecosystem service collapse could reduce global GDP by $2.7 trillion by 2030, while "nature-smart" policy reforms can deliver significant economic gains and support global conservation targets.
Too big to fail: critical natural systems as macro-critical infrastructure
This report introduces Systemically Important Natural Systems (SINS), analogous to systemically important banks. It argues that critical ecosystems are macro-critical infrastructure. The authors explore how formal SINS designation could embed nature-related risks into global financial governance, fiscal policy, and corporate decision-making to prevent systemic economic instability.
Are we consuming too much groundwater?
This research examines groundwater extraction across 3,400 global aquifers, finding that three-fifths to four-fifths are depleted faster than is optimal. While global aquifers are valued at over £80 trillion ($103 trillion), non-optimal management causes trillions in welfare losses. Optimal strategies involve reducing short-term extraction to restore water tables.
The business case for science-based targets: Corporate insights on the value of science-based targets for nature
This report examines the strategic value of science-based targets for nature. Drawing on insights from early adopters across diverse sectors, it identifies six key business benefits, including protected revenue and enhanced credibility. It outlines a structured approach for organisations to manage environmental impacts while future-proofing operations against regulatory shifts.
Estimating the date of Earth Overshoot Day 2026
Global Footprint Network identifies Earth Overshoot Day 2026 as 30 July. While the date appears later than in 2025, underlying ecological overshoot is at record levels. The report details nowcasting methodologies using proxy data to overcome UN data lags and highlights significant updates to carbon and trade accounting.
Financing Nature: A mid-decade update: From isolated progress to implementation at scale
This report updates the global biodiversity financing landscape, identifying a US$1.317 trillion annual funding gap. It highlights that nature-negative flows reach US$7.3 trillion annually. Key recommendations include urgent subsidy reform, scaling nature-based solutions, and leveraging technological innovation to transition from isolated progress to large-scale implementation.
The Big Fix Resource Collection
The Big Fix is a resource hub from Resilience.org and the Post Carbon Institute focused on systemic resilience. It provides curated research and news to help professionals understand and navigate the interconnected ecological and economic challenges of the 21st-century polycrisis.
Super-duper El Nino and the bigger problem
This report analyses the 2026 super El Nino, identifying it as the strongest in the modern record. It discusses accelerating human-made global warming, the doubling of Earth’s energy imbalance, and severe health implications. Findings highlight that rising temperatures significantly increase mortality risks for vulnerable populations across Europe and Asia.
SUSREG annual report series
This benchmark series provides a comprehensive assessment of sustainable financial regulations and central banking activities. It tracks progress across global jurisdictions in integrating climate, environmental, and social risks within banking, insurance, and capital markets sectors, supporting the transition towards a net-zero and nature-positive global economy.
The Paris Agreement ten years later: Navigating climate uncertainty and tipping points
This research evaluates the Paris Agreement ten years on, highlighting critical implementation and ambition gaps. It identifies a triple-track crisis involving geophysical inertia, cognitive barriers, and policy lags. The report proposes a precautionary paradigm using technological and financial levers to navigate climate uncertainty and prevent irreversible tipping points.
ENCORE Insights: Country Dashboard
The ENCORE Insights: Country Dashboard is an interactive tool that maps how national economies and sectors depend on nature. Developed by Global Canopy, it helps finance professionals and regulators assess macroeconomic risks associated with nature degradation and ecosystem service dependencies.
Southeast Asia nature risk toolkit: A resource for financial institutions
A resource-hub and workbook designed by ENCORE partners to help financial institutions assess nature-related risks in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It provides over 120 curated tools and datasets to support TNFD-aligned risk management and investment decisions.
Toward transformation in finance: Seeds of nature-positive futures
This research examines "finance for nature seeds" — innovative initiatives aimed at transforming the financial sector to reverse nature loss. By analysing 92 global projects, the study identifies diverse approaches to funding nature stewardship, highlighting current reliance on market-based mechanisms and the potential for inclusive, value-pluralistic financial systems.
