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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Rust in motion: The political environmental trap of vehicle tax exemptions

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
This research examines Brazil's vehicle tax exemptions, finding that lower age thresholds increase fleet age, pollution and infant health risks. It identifies a 'political environmental trap', where raising exemption ages leads to significant electoral penalties for incumbents, despite the policies resulting in a net welfare loss.
Research
2 September 2026

Reuters Institute digital news report series

Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
This research series provides a comprehensive annual analysis of digital news consumption globally. It tracks audience trends across 48 markets, focusing on trust, platform usage, and the transition to digital formats. This benchmark series informs stakeholders about the evolving information environment and changing news habits across diverse demographics.
Benchmark/series
8 June 2026

Unlocking catalytic capital in Australia

GoodWolf Partners
This report examines the role of catalytic capital in Australia, exploring how flexible, risk-tolerant investment can mobilise private capital for social and environmental impact. It defines the current market, identifies barriers to growth, and provides case studies of successful deployment across philanthropic, government, and institutional sectors.
Research
19 August 2026

Urban planning for the circular economy: A spatial turn in theory and practice

European Commission
This report examines how urban planning can operationalise the circular economy by addressing spatial dimensions. Drawing on European city experiences, it explores circular developments, infrastructure, land management and multi-level governance. It provides strategic directions for integrating circularity into core planning instruments to support systemic, territorially grounded transitions.
Research
13 April 2026

Oil market report series

International Energy Agency (IEA)
This monthly series provides a comprehensive analysis of global oil market fundamentals, including supply, demand, refinery throughputs, and price developments. Produced by the International Energy Agency, it offers detailed data and forecasts to support evidence-based decision-making. This document is part of a benchmark series.
Benchmark/series
13 May 2026

Optimal flood insurance in a second-best world: Fiscal spillovers, reclassification risk and moral hazard

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
This report evaluates the U.S. National Flood Insurance Program's transition to risk-based pricing. It finds that unintended consequences, such as increased ex post disaster spending and household exposure to climate uncertainty, outweigh moral hazard costs. The authors conclude that an optimal premium subsidy of 52% is required.
Research
6 June 2026

Systems stewardship: Managing interconnected climate risks for lasting value

Investor Group on Climate Change
This report examines how Australian investors apply systems stewardship to manage interconnected climate risks. It identifies key practices, such as collaborative engagement and policy advocacy, while highlighting barriers like resource constraints. Six recommendations are provided to help investors safeguard long-term returns and support a net-zero transition.
Research
4 December 2025

Global EV Outlook series

International Energy Agency (IEA)
This benchmark series monitors recent developments in electric mobility across the globe. Produced annually, the report examines deployment of vehicles and infrastructure, battery demand, and policy developments. It evaluates the implications of growing adoption for energy consumption and emissions across major and emerging markets.
Benchmark/series
19 May 2026

The Paris Agreement ten years later: Navigating climate uncertainty and tipping points

European Central Bank (ECB)
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.
Research
4 July 2016

Industrial policies for multi-stage production: The battle for battery-powered vehicles

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
This research analyses industrial policies for the multi-stage electric vehicle supply chain. It evaluates consumer subsidies and local content requirements, finding that while protectionist measures expand domestic production, they can significantly increase costs and reduce overall adoption compared to unconditional subsidies that maximise scale economies.
Research
12 February 2026

CPA-Zicklin Index of Corporate Political Disclosure and Accountability

Center for Political Accountability
This benchmark series evaluates corporate political disclosure and accountability practices among major US companies. It provides a structured analysis of transparency, board oversight, and spending policies for the S&P 500 and Russell 1000, enabling stakeholders to assess political risk and governance standards across different industries.
Benchmark/series
6 November 2025

ASEAN sustainable finance state of the market series

Climate Bonds Initiative
This series by the Climate Bonds Initiative examines the development of sustainable finance markets across ASEAN. It covers green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked debt instruments, alongside market structures, taxonomies, transition finance and policy developments supporting sustainable capital markets across the region.
Benchmark/series
9 May 2023

Why shareholder-driven corporate social responsibility failed

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
This report analyses why shareholder-led corporate social responsibility failed in the early 2020s. It argues that political forces blocking government regulation also dismantle private CSR initiatives. Using the BlackRock-Texas conflict as evidence, it concludes that direct political action is the only viable path for systemic change.
Research
21 May 2026

Global employment trends for youth 2026: Back to the future

International Labour Organisation (ILO)
The Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026 report highlights a stalled post-pandemic recovery, with global youth unemployment reaching 12.4 per cent. It examines rising NEET rates, artificial intelligence impacts, and job experience inflation, while advocating for bold, adaptive policies to ensure secure, decent work pathways for young people.
Research
6 August 2026

Artificial intelligence and sustainability transitions: Emergent opportunities, risks, and governance

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
This report examines the intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainability transitions, detailing opportunities and risks across environment, energy, labour, finance, and democracy. It proposes a three-layered governance framework and a phased roadmap for global scientific alignment, interim safety measures, and a binding international framework convention to ensure societal well-being.
Research
28 March 2026

ShareAction policy paper: Defending and strengthening the AGM as a forum for corporate accountability

ShareAction
This ShareAction report advocates for mandatory hybrid AGMs to ensure corporate accountability. It argues that online-only formats diminish shareholder scrutiny and enable management to stage-manage proceedings. The document recommends amending the 2006 Companies Act and provides case studies of poor virtual AGM practices across several major companies.
Research
15 June 2026
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