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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Discourses of climate delay
The report identifies twelve “climate delay” discourses that accept climate change yet justify inaction. It groups them into four strategies—redirecting responsibility, promoting non-transformative solutions, emphasising policy downsides, and surrendering to inevitability—and offers a typology to recognise and counter these arguments.
China coal action plan offers roadmap for coal phase-out
The report analyses China’s first quantitative coal power decarbonisation plan, outlining emissions-reduction targets to 2027 via co-firing and carbon capture. It finds retrofitted coal increasingly uncompetitive versus renewables with storage, raising risks for new coal investments and strengthening the case for no-new-coal commitments.
Can you be the change you’d like to see? Three US philosophers aim to offer hope
This review examines Somebody Should Do Something, a timely book arguing that individuals can spark meaningful social change by acting collectively rather than alone. It assesses the authors’ hopeful framework alongside contemporary political realities, questioning whether grassroots agency is sufficient amid concentrated power and rising authoritarianism.
Responsible business conduct in the arms sector: Ensuring business practice in line with the UN guiding principles on business and human rights
The UN Working Group reviews arms sector regulation, finding persistent exports linked to humanitarian and human rights law violations. It identifies weak political will, opaque oversight and limited human rights due diligence, and urges stronger application of the UN Guiding Principles by states and companies.
Report of the working group on the universal periodic review
The report presents Norway’s fourth Universal Periodic Review, outlining human rights commitments, recent legal reforms, and policy measures. It records peer State feedback and extensive recommendations covering equality, child welfare, Indigenous rights, migration, climate action, and business and human rights, for Norway’s consideration and follow-up.
Towards sustainability position on defence investments
The report sets a pragmatic policy on defence investments for Towards Sustainability-labelled funds, permitting defensive, non-lethal and dual-use activities with strict ESG due diligence, while excluding weapons producers. It affirms defence funding as primarily a government responsibility.
Commission unveils the white paper for european defence and the rearm europe plan readiness 2030
The report outlines the EU’s White Paper on European Defence and the ReArm Europe Plan, targeting defence readiness by 2030 through closing capability gaps, strengthening the defence industrial base, and mobilising over €800 billion via public, EU, and private funding mechanisms.
Mapping the international presence of the world's largest arms companies
SIPRI maps the global footprint of the 15 largest arms companies, identifying 400 majority-owned foreign entities. International presence aligns with geopolitical ties and major arms markets. US and European firms dominate; Chinese and Russian companies show limited overseas reach.
Repurposing power markets: The path to sustainable and affordable energy for all
IFC’s report argues that repurposing power market designs is critical to achieving affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity. Drawing on global data, it finds competitive markets attract private capital, improve access and accelerate renewables, while recommending tailored reforms guided by innovation, integration and institutional strength.
Historical redlining and cumulative environmental impacts across the United States
This study analyses 202 US cities, linking historic redlining to higher present-day cumulative environmental burdens. Using EJScreen data and modelling, it finds redlined neighbourhoods face significantly greater combined pollution exposures, particularly from traffic, hazardous waste and wastewater sites, with strongest disparities in western regions.
Growing resilience: Unlocking the potential of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa
The report assesses nature-based solutions for climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa, reviewing nearly 300 projects. It finds growing adoption but insufficient scale, highlighting financing, policy, and capacity gaps, and recommends integrating NBS into infrastructure planning, diversifying funding, and strengthening social inclusion and local capability.
Climate inequality & just transition: An introduction for actuaries
This report explains climate inequality and climate justice, outlines risks from unjust climate transitions, and frames just transition principles. It highlights how climate impacts amplify inequality and sets out roles for actuaries in risk assessment, fairness, and supporting equitable climate-resilient development.
Distinguishing among climate change-related risks
The report distinguishes planetary, economic and financial climate risks, clarifying their differing scopes, timeframes and responsible actors. It argues that conflating these risks weakens policy and investment responses, and calls for clearer delineation to improve risk assessment, accountability and targeted climate action.
Impacts of climate change on global agriculture accounting for adaptation
This study estimates global climate change impacts on six staple crops using subnational data and observed adaptation. Yields fall by about 4.4% of recommended calories per 1 °C warming. Adaptation and income growth offset losses partially, but substantial global and regional yield declines remain.
Information integrity about climate science: A systematic review
Systematic review of 300 studies (2015-2025) finds coordinated misinformation and greenwashing by corporate, political, and media actors undermine climate science, eroding trust and delaying policy. Research is Global North–centric. Evidence supports regulation, litigation, coalitions, and education to strengthen information integrity.
Green industrial policy’s unfinished business: A publicly managed fossil fuel wind-down
The report argues that green industrial policy must actively manage a fossil fuel wind-down. It contends that renewables expansion alone is insufficient, calling for public planning, regulation, and ownership to ensure equitable decarbonisation and prevent fossil fuel liabilities shifting to the public.
