Library | ESG issues
Pollution
Pollution is the contamination of the environment by chemical, physical, or biological agents that alter its natural characteristics. Long-term pollution exposure can cause severe health and environmental impacts. Sustainability efforts focus on reducing pollution by minimising waste, promoting recycling, and converting waste into useful materials. Investors can engage with companies to encourage pollution reduction initiatives, adoption of cleaner technologies, and transparent reporting on environmental impacts.
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Exit versus voice
This report summarises research comparing the effectiveness of “exit” strategies, such as divestment and boycotts, with “voice” strategies, such as shareholder engagement, in influencing corporate behaviour. It concludes that when most investors are even slightly socially responsible, engagement leads to socially optimal outcomes, whereas exit rarely does and can reduce welfare.
ESG shareholder engagement and downside risk
This study analyses whether investor engagement on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues reduces firms’ downside risk. Using data from 1,443 engagements with 485 global firms (2005–2018), it finds that successful engagements, particularly on environmental and climate issues, significantly lower downside risk and related environmental incidents.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a UN intergovernmental body that supports developing countries in trade, investment, finance and technology. It delivers data-driven policy analysis, technical cooperation and global consensus building to help countries integrate into the world economy and advance sustainable development.
Integrating Nature into Finance: Laying the foundations to expand the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy to drive positive environmental outcomes in the agriculture and land sectors
This report summarises how Australia’s Sustainable Finance Taxonomy could be expanded to agriculture, forestry and land management, proposing draft criteria for biodiversity protection, sustainable water use, and pollution control. It aligns with global biodiversity goals to guide investment and lending that support nature-positive outcome.
Tobacco Supply Chain Database
The Tobacco Supply Chain tool is a publicly accessible database mapping the global tobacco supply chain from agriculture to retail by identifying companies, processes and countries involved.
Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries monitors a world out of balance
This report presents an updated “Doughnut” framework, tracking 35 social and ecological indicators from 2000–2022. Findings show only modest progress on reducing deprivation, while ecological overshoot has worsened, with wealthier nations driving most impacts. The study highlights stark inequalities and calls for regenerative, distributive economic approaches.
Environmental hotspots
The Environmental Hotspots tool by UNEP offers an interactive map of high-risk ecological zones worldwide, allowing users to explore environmental pressures across sectors (e.g. ecosystems, resource extraction).
InforMEA
InforMEA is a UN information portal giving central access to multilateral environmental agreements, including treaty texts, COP decisions, national reports, laws and court rulings. It also hosts a glossary, e-learning courses and tools linking MEAs to global goals.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a global treaty regulating international trade in wildlife to ensure species survival in the wild. It enforces permit systems, categorises species under appendices, and supports cooperation among 185 Parties in biodiversity conservation.
The European Space Agency (ESA)
European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s intergovernmental organisation dedicated to space exploration, Earth observation, satellite navigation, and technological innovation. ESA collaborates with international partners, coordinates high-profile missions, and supports science, space safety and industry growth across member states.
African chemical observatory
MapX is an open-source, cloud-based geospatial platform for visualising, analysing and managing environmental data. Developed by UNEP/GRID-Geneva, it supports decision-making in biodiversity, climate, land use and disaster risk, through map views, dashboards and storytelling tools.
Interactive country fiches
The Interactive Country Fiches tool offers interactive, updatable environmental profiles for countries, covering eight environmental pillars. It centralises national policies, performance indicators and over 100 up-to-date datasets into a single access point.
Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) is a German government body responsible for economic policy, industrial strategy, energy transition, digitalisation, and climate action. It develops regulations, promotes innovation, supports businesses, and coordinates international cooperation to strengthen Germany’s economic growth while advancing sustainability and climate neutrality goals.
National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is a US-based nonpartisan economic research organisation producing working papers, conferences, datasets and publications on macroeconomics, labour markets, health economics and public policy. It supports scholars and policymakers with in-depth empirical research.
Sustainable investing in practice: Objectives, beliefs, and limits to impact
This paper surveys 509 equity portfolio managers on their treatment of environmental and social factors. Findings show most prioritise financial returns, with limited willingness to sacrifice performance. ES constraints from mandates, policies, and client values strongly influence decisions. Beliefs and constraints outweigh fund labels in shaping sustainable investing practices.
Tobacco tactics
Tobacco Tactics is a knowledge-exchange platform from the University of Bath’s Tobacco Control Research Group. It compiles rigorous academic research and monitoring on the global tobacco industry—its products, influences, themes and companies—in an accessible format.
