Library | ESG issues

Public Policy

Public policy refers to the actions and decisions taken by governments to address societal issues through laws, regulations, and funding priorities. It shapes the business environment by influencing regulatory requirements, market conditions, and corporate responsibilities. Policies related to taxation, labour laws, environmental regulations, and trade agreements can impact business operations, costs, and investment strategies.

Refine
Resource type
Sustainable Finance Practices
ESG issues
SDGs
SASB Sustainability Sector
Finance relevance
Asset Class
Location
TAG
267 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16

Interpreting the corporate standard for U.S. public sector organizations

World Resources Institute
This guide interprets the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard for U.S. public sector organisations. It provides standardised methods for accounting and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, supports inventory quality, and addresses public sector-specific scenarios such as leased assets, joint operations, and regulatory compliance.
Research
13 October 2010

Global protocol for community-scale greenhouse gas inventories: Supplemental guidance for forests and trees

World Resources Institute
This supplemental report provides standardised methods for communities to estimate greenhouse gas emissions and carbon removals from forests and trees. It expands the global protocol for community-scale greenhouse gas inventories by offering detailed guidance for accounting Scope 1 emissions and removals, supporting local climate action planning and integration with national inventories.
Research
23 March 2023

Estimating and reporting the comparative emissions impacts of products

World Resources Institute
This report outlines a neutral framework for estimating and reporting the greenhouse gas impacts of products, both positive and negative. It advocates the use of consequential methods for decision-making, highlights methodological challenges in attributional approaches, and recommends transparency and completeness in emissions assessments and corporate reporting.
Research
23 March 2023

Policy and action standard: An accounting and reporting standard for estimating the greenhouse gas effects of policies and actions

World Resources Institute
The Policy and Action Standard provides a consistent framework for estimating and reporting the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of policies and actions. It outlines methods for ex-ante and ex-post assessments, defines principles of GHG accounting, and offers guidance on defining policy boundaries, estimating baseline emissions, and assessing uncertainty to support transparent, accurate decision-making.
Research
11 March 2015

Mitigation goal standard: An accounting and reporting standard for national and subnational greenhouse gas reduction goals

World Resources Institute
This report outlines a standardised framework for governments to design, assess, and report on greenhouse gas mitigation goals. It defines principles, methodologies, and accounting requirements to support consistent and transparent emissions tracking and goal evaluation at national and subnational levels.
Research
24 November 2016

Replacing Animal Research

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Replacing Animal Research is a UK charity dedicated to ending animal testing by promoting human-relevant, non-animal research methods. Through funding scientific projects, publishing the peer-reviewed journal ATLA, and engaging in education and policy advocacy, it aims to create a world where no animal suffers for science.
Organisation

RIAA policy platform: Sustainable finance for a thriving Aotearoa New Zealand 2023 and beyond

Responsible Investment Association Australasia
This report outlines RIAA’s policy platform to strengthen sustainable finance in Aotearoa New Zealand. It recommends a national strategy, clearer ESG disclosures, taxonomy alignment with global standards, anti-greenwashing measures, Māori inclusion, human rights protections, and alignment with biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Research
28 August 2023

Opportunities for methane mitigation in agriculture: Technological, economic, and regulatory considerations

World Resources Institute
This report assesses cost-effective methods to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation, manure management, and rice cultivation. It outlines region-specific strategies and underscores the need for research, regulatory frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration to support implementation and scale-up of mitigation solutions.
Research
5 March 2025

Green and intelligent: the role of AI in the climate transition

Artificial intelligence (AI) can support the climate transition by reducing global emissions by up to 5.4 GtCO₂e annually by 2035 in the power, food, and transport sectors, surpassing its own energy footprint. Strategic government action is essential to ensure AI accelerates low-carbon solutions equitably and effectively.
Research
16 June 2025

The path to a new era for nuclear energy

International Energy Agency (IEA)
Nuclear energy is gaining momentum as a reliable, low-emissions electricity source. The report outlines growth drivers, investment needs, emerging technologies such as small modular reactors, and policy frameworks required for scale-up. Financing challenges, supply chain risks, and workforce planning are key to realising nuclear’s role in future energy systems.
Research
28 January 2025

Nature positive: Leaders’ insights for the transition in cities

Oliver Wyman
The report outlines strategies and case studies from global cities integrating nature into urban development to address climate and biodiversity challenges. It highlights the importance of public-private collaboration, compact planning, and nature-based infrastructure in fostering resilient, sustainable, and equitable cities. Solutions are scalable and grounded in real-world examples.
Research
11 November 2024

Market Forces

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Market Forces works to hold financial institutions accountable for funding environmentally harmful projects. Based in Australia, it campaigns for banks, superannuation funds and governments to align investments with climate goals. Market Forces provides research, advocacy tools and transparency on fossil fuel financing to support climate-conscious financial decision-making.
Organisation

Australian sustainable finance taxonomy (Version 1 - 2025)

Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI)
The Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy (2025) provides a framework classifying economic activities aligned with environmental sustainability goals, particularly climate mitigation. It includes performance-based criteria for key sectors such as agriculture, mining, energy, construction, and transport, facilitating sustainable capital allocation, consistent reporting, and transition planning, thus supporting Australia’s transition to a net-zero emissions economy.
Research
16 June 2025

Exploring pathways for world development within planetary boundaries

The report assesses global development scenarios to 2050 using planetary boundaries. Current trends worsen conditions across key Earth system indicators, except ozone depletion. Implementing strong sustainability measures, including climate agreements, diet shifts, and resource efficiency, significantly reduces boundary breaches but still leaves climate, biodiversity, and nutrient flows at risk.
Research
14 May 2025

RIAA Policy Platform 2025: Harnessing sustainable finance for a thriving Australia

Responsible Investment Association Australasia
The RIAA Policy Platform 2025 outlines nine policy priorities and two principles to align Australia’s finance system with sustainability goals. It recommends regulatory reforms, improved data, Indigenous inclusion, and stronger accountability to mobilise capital for a net zero, nature-positive economy that supports long-term economic resilience and societal wellbeing.
Research
3 April 2025

Find it, fix it, prevent it: Modern slavery report 2024

CCLA
CCLA’s 2024 report outlines investor-led efforts to address modern slavery through corporate engagement, policy advocacy, and improved data. Key sectors include construction and agriculture. Progress was made via benchmarking and collaborative initiatives, though disclosure and remedy remain limited. EU legislation and stakeholder coordination are driving further momentum.
Research
2 October 2024
PREV
1 of 17
NEXT
Join or sign in to use Alma, Altiorem’s AI Agent. While the Altiorem library is free, Alma is exclusive to paying subscribers.