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.
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AI, data governance and privacy: Synergies and areas of international co-operation
This report examines the synergies between artificial intelligence, data governance, and privacy, highlighting international collaboration opportunities. It identifies key regulatory frameworks, interoperability standards, and policy recommendations to address shared global challenges and promote responsible AI deployment while safeguarding data privacy across jurisdictions.
Environmental Finance's biodiversity insight series
This series explores the evolving role of biodiversity in sustainable finance, investment strategies, and regulatory developments. It examines biodiversity risk, natural capital investment, reporting frameworks, and financial instruments supporting conservation efforts. The series provides insights into emerging market mechanisms, data challenges, and the integration of biodiversity considerations into financial decision-making.
The role of government in corporate governance: Perspectives from the UK
The report examines the UK government's role in corporate governance, identifying four key functions: enhancing competitive advantage, compensating for self-regulation failures, preventing corporate scandals, and reassuring the public of its oversight. It evaluates regulatory frameworks, corporate failures, and policy developments, highlighting implications for governance, politics, and economic stability.
UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance: Policy engagement guidelines
This guideline released in 2023 outline principles for asset owners to integrate net-zero commitments into public policy engagement. The framework emphasises accountability, active participation, consistency, and transparency in climate advocacy. Asset owners are urged to engage policymakers to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and ensure alignment with fiduciary duties.
Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a global fund established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to support developing countries in tackling climate change. It provides financing for mitigation and adaptation projects, focusing on low-emission, climate-resilient development. Funded by governments, GCF plays a key role in international climate finance.
Decarbonisation investment solutions for sectors: A discussion paper on Sector Transition Plans and their importance to investors
The report from the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) discusses the development and importance of sector transition pathways to support Australia’s decarbonisation. It highlights how clear pathways aligned with the Paris Agreement can guide investment, minimise risks, and foster collaboration among investors, governments, and companies to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
U.S. climate policy and blockchain innovation in future smart and sustainable cities
This report explores blockchain's potential to address climate challenges and foster smart, sustainable cities. It highlights blockchain's capacity for decentralisation, transparency, and efficiency in urban governance, renewable energy, and civic participation. Recommendations include multi-stakeholder collaboration, educational initiatives, and human-centred design to ensure ethical, inclusive implementation for climate resilience and innovation.
Infrastructure tokenization: Does blockchain have a role in the financing of infrastructure?
The report explores the potential of blockchain technology in financing infrastructure projects. It evaluates blockchain's capabilities in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in infrastructure tokenisation, while addressing challenges like regulatory constraints, market adoption, and technical barriers. The findings highlight both opportunities and limitations for integrating blockchain into infrastructure financing.
Blockchain for sustainability: A systematic literature review for policy impact
The report reviews blockchain's role in sustainability, analysing 10,188 studies. It highlights blockchain's potential in supply chain management, energy systems, and IoT-based solutions like smart cities. However, gaps persist in aligning blockchain applications with global ESG regulations and carbon trading mechanisms. Recommendations aim to improve blockchain's utility in achieving net-zero goals.
Biodiversity credit markets: The role of law, regulation, and policy
This report explores legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks to develop high-integrity biodiversity credit markets. These markets aim to finance nature-positive and equitable outcomes, providing innovative and scalable funding for biodiversity conservation and restoration. This report provides investors with insights into the legal and regulatory foundations that support high quality offset markets. As such, this report can be used as a tool to inform policy advocacy in the biodiversity credit market space.
Leveraging food security and environmental sustainability in achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from a global perspective
The study investigates the relationship between food security, environmental sustainability, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 63 countries from 2010–2021. Key findings highlight that promoting agricultural exports, sustainable farming, and reducing food imports positively impact economic growth and alleviate poverty. Environmental degradation negatively affects growth, affirming the need for green policies to achieve SDGs inclusively.
Green metal statecraft: Forging Australia’s green iron industry
Australia’s "Green Metal Statecraft" outlines a transformative agenda for advancing its green iron industry. The report advocates leveraging renewables-powered iron ore processing, supported by $10-30 billion in strategic public investment. Emphasising economic, environmental, and energy security, the plan aligns national policy with decarbonisation to secure Australia’s leadership in sustainable steelmaking and green exports.
The prevention of adult exploitation and trafficking
The report synthesises research between 2020-2024 on preventing adult exploitation and trafficking. It highlights limited evidence on early intervention, re-trafficking prevention, and primary prevention. Recommendations include better prevention systems, multi-agency collaboration, addressing root causes, and evaluating effective trade and governance practices.
Synthetic content: Exploring the risks, technical approaches, and regulatory responses
Generative AI enables the rapid creation of synthetic content, offering both opportunities and risks. This report examines challenges like disinformation and fraud, outlines technical and regulatory strategies, and explores trade-offs with privacy. Techniques discussed include watermarking, provenance tracking, and legal frameworks, aiming to enhance transparency while safeguarding privacy.
Early warning systems and early action in fragile, conflict-affected and violent contexts: Addressing growing climate and disaster risks
The report explores the implementation of early warning systems (EWS) in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts, emphasising climate and disaster risk management. It identifies key challenges like limited governance and data availability, proposes governance coordination, regional cooperation, and technology integration as solutions, and advocates for conflict-sensitive and community-based approaches to build resilience and save lives.
Circular Economy Policy Tracker
Chatham House's circulareconomy.earth is a platform that enables users to explore policy and trade dynamics related to the transition from linear to circular economic models. It offers analyses of opportunities and trade-offs associated with such transitions.