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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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.
Green finance was supposed to contribute solutions to climate change. So far, it’s fallen well short
The article argues that while climate disclosure and green finance initiatives have expanded since Mark Carney’s “tragedy of the horizon” speech, they have failed to shift capital at the scale required to address climate and nature risks. It contends that deeper structural reforms to financial valuation, incentives and capital allocation are needed to move beyond managing symptoms toward financing real-world solutions.
Next to fall: The climate-driven insurance crisis is here and getting worse
The report analyses U.S. homeowners’ insurance non-renewals, showing strong links between climate risks, rising premiums, and declining coverage. It finds coastal and wildfire-exposed regions face pronounced instability, with risks spreading inland. The Committee warns that worsening insurability could erode property values and trigger broader financial impacts.
Maximising Australia’s green growth: Leveraging trade and aid policy to drive Australia’s green exports agenda
The report assesses risks to Australia’s fossil fuel exports and outlines how aligned trade, aid and climate finance policies can build demand for green exports. It proposes sustainable growth partnerships in the Indo-Pacific to secure markets, attract investment and support regional decarbonisation.
Creating a sustainable food future
The report assesses how to feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050 while limiting land expansion and emissions. It identifies food, land and greenhouse gas gaps, and proposes 22 solutions spanning demand reduction, productivity gains, ecosystem protection, fisheries growth and agricultural emissions mitigation.
