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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Expanding social security coverage in the informal economy: China’s experience and lessons

International Labour Organisation (ILO)
This report analyses strategies for extending social security to informal workers, comparing China’s transition to near-universal coverage with evolving systems in Kenya and Lao PDR. It highlights the role of digital transformation, fiscal subsidies, and pilot programmes in overcoming barriers to inclusive, sustainable social protection systems.
Research
15 September 2026

The State of Cities Climate Finance: Part 2: The enabling conditions for mobilising urban climate finance

The World Bank
Produced by the World Bank and CCFLA, this report examines frameworks for mobilising urban climate finance. It introduces a conceptual framework based on country, city, and climate-specific elements. Findings highlight that cities generate 70% of global emissions and require urgent investment through improved planning, fiscal systems, and carbon pricing.
Research
21 June 2021

Synergies between Biodiversity and Climate Policy

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
A resource from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) exploring policy alignment between biodiversity and climate change frameworks. It provides insights into Nature-based Solutions and integrated environmental governance.
Resource hub
9 December 2022

Interactive: What China’s ‘five-year plans’ say about climate and energy

Carbon Brief
This interactive tracker by Carbon Brief analyses China’s 15th five-year plans, identifying key climate and energy targets. It provides a searchable database of national and sectoral policies, including specific targets for carbon intensity, renewable energy capacity, and fossil fuel consumption through 2030.
Online tool/database
24 September 2026

Mining Fiscal Regime Simulator

The Mining Fiscal Regime Simulator is an open-source modelling tool by the IGF that helps users evaluate the impact of tax and royalty policies on mining project economics and government revenue.
Online tool/database
18 September 2026

Gas reserve mechanisms and flexibility options: Enhancing gas supply security in a changing global market

International Energy Agency (IEA)
This report examines mechanisms to enhance gas supply security, including physical reserves, commercial flexibility, and policy tools. It analyzes the transition to an interconnected, geopolitically complex market, advocating for international cooperation, strategic buffers, and innovative contracting to mitigate future supply disruptions and extreme price volatility.
Research
3 September 2026

Poverty and public finance: A primer

ODI Global
This report provides a foundational guide for public finance professionals on defining, measuring, and addressing poverty. It explains the relationship between fiscal policy and household well-being, highlighting the use of fiscal incidence analysis and micro-simulation. The primer aims to integrate poverty reduction strategies into core financial planning.
Research
2 September 2026

EU law and regulation for the digital world

Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
This report by the Centre for European Policy Studies examines the growing complexity of EU digital legislation. It provides 20 recommendations to reform the 'digital acquis', focusing on the Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, and AI Act, while advocating for improved impact assessments and simplified regulatory processes to enhance competitiveness.
Research
3 September 2026

Preventing Delays to Permitting for Critical Mineral Projects

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
A report by the IISD and IGF exploring how governments can streamline permitting for critical mineral mining projects to support the energy transition while protecting communities and human health.
Online tool/database

A heat circuit breaker for the UK: Preparing for a hotter future: A framing report

This report by the National Heat Risk Commission examines the UK’s lack of preparedness for extreme heat following the summer of 2026. It highlights systemic risks, detailing over £4.4 billion in economic costs and 2,877 deaths, while proposing ten key recommendations to strengthen national heat governance and resilience.
Research
1 September 2026

The economic case for nature: A global Earth-economy model to assess development policy pathways

The World Bank
This World Bank report examines the economic rationale for investing in nature using a global Earth-economy model. It demonstrates that ecosystem service collapse could reduce global GDP by $2.7 trillion by 2030, while "nature-smart" policy reforms can deliver significant economic gains and support global conservation targets.
Research
30 June 2021

Middle-income economies: Navigating digital dependencies in AI

Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
This report examines artificial intelligence dependency risks within ten middle-income economies. It identifies critical structural reliance on United States software and Chinese hardware. Recommending a strategy of ‘managed interdependence’, the report advocates for diversifying international partnerships and strengthening domestic regulatory institutions to ensure long-term economic resilience and policy autonomy.
Research
29 September 2026

Green Finance Platform

Green Growth Knowledge Partnership
The Green Finance Platform is a global resource hub providing a database of green financial policies, diagnostic toolkits, and research from organisations including UNEP and the World Bank to support sustainable investment.
Resource hub

Indian states’ electricity transition (SET) 2026

Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
This report evaluates 21 Indian states across decarbonisation, power ecosystem readiness, and market enablers. It identifies regional leaders like Karnataka and Delhi while highlighting structural gaps. Recommendations focus on strengthening distribution company finances, implementing smart metering, and scaling energy storage to support India's target of 500 gigawatts of non-fossil capacity.
Research
23 February 2026

Samenwerken aan een duurzaam en toekomstbestendig agrosysteem

Sociaal-Economische Raad
This Sociaal-Economische Raad report provides a strategic framework for a sustainable Dutch agro-system. It advocates for goal-oriented steering, improved chain profitability, and institutional reform through a new public-private organisation. The strategy seeks to ensure economic viability within ecological boundaries, fostering a resilient agricultural sector by 2050.
Research
16 July 2026

Progress report: national adaptation plan

He Pou a Rangi – Climate Change Commission
This 2026 report by He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission assesses New Zealand's progress on its first national adaptation plan. It finds that adaptation efforts are insufficient and recommends six foundational improvements, focusing on funding, legislative alignment, and Māori-led action to address escalating climate risks.
Research
1 August 2026
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