Library | ESG issues
Purpose & Mission
An organisation’s purpose defines its core reason for existence, guiding its strategies and operations. In the finance industry, aligning corporate purpose with sustainable practices involves developing innovative financial products, engaging in policy advocacy, and directing capital toward sustainable investments. This alignment fosters long-term value creation and supports the transition to a sustainable economy.
Refine
55 results
REFINE
SHOW: 16
The purpose of investor stewardship
This paper critically examines investor stewardship, shifting from traditional shareholder-focused governance towards "enlightened stewardship." It advocates balancing fiduciary duties with broader societal and environmental considerations. Analysing the evolution of the UK Stewardship Code, it highlights a systemic shift to integrate sustainability and stakeholder concerns alongside financial returns for long-term value creation.
Between impact and returns: Private investors and the sustainable development goals
Wealthy private investors increasingly align their portfolios with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), seeking both measurable impact and financial returns. Investors favour SDGs linked to higher expected profits, leading to underinvestment in less profitable goals. Findings are based on portfolio data, surveys, and interviews with 60 high-net-worth individuals.
Australian Impact Investments (Aii)
Australian Impact Investments (Aii) is a specialist asset consulting firm dedicated to mobilising capital for positive social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. Established in 2014, Aii collaborates with charitable trusts, foundations, family offices, wealth advisors, and institutions, offering bespoke impact strategies, rigorous investment analysis, and comprehensive portfolio management. With a focus on responsible investing, Aii assists clients at every stage of their impact journey.
Business for Nature
Business for Nature is a global coalition uniting over 100 business and conservation organisations, along with forward-thinking companies. It promotes credible corporate action and advocates for ambitious governmental policies to establish a nature-positive economy by 2030.
Go, teams: When teams get healthier, the whole organization benefits
Effective teams drive organisational success, yet myths like prioritising top talent and heroic leadership hinder progress. This article highlights evidence-based team behaviours—trust, communication, innovation, and decision-making—as critical to long-term performance, offering strategies to enhance team health, collaboration, and alignment across organisational contexts.
Towards a new economic paradigm 2.0: Innovating to integrate decision-making across nature, people, society and the economy
The report explores systems-level innovations for integrating nature, people, society, and economy in decision-making. Through the Capitals Protocol, Governance Framework, and Integrated Decision-Making Requirements, it advocates for a shift beyond financial metrics, promoting holistic value assessments to foster sustainable business practices and societal well-being.
Which discount rate for sustainability?
This report explores the appropriate discount rate for sustainability investments, advocating for a lower social discount rate for natural and social capital compared to financial capital. By applying this lower rate, companies could be incentivised to prioritise long-term investments in sustainability, ultimately supporting a balanced financial, social, and environmental value approach.
Global partnerships case study: Measuring and managing financial inclusion outcomes
This case study explores how Global Partnerships adopts outcomes-focused impact measurement and management (IMM) practices. It highlights the importance of tracking both development and intermediate outcomes in financial inclusion to ensure investments genuinely benefit underserved populations and achieve measurable social impact while mitigating potential risks.
How to do corporate impact investing
This report outlines how corporate impact investing bridges business goals with positive social and environmental impact. It presents various corporate approaches, explores synergies with internal teams, and identifies strategic benefits, including scaling innovation, aligning with corporate purpose, and accessing new markets. Practical steps guide companies in structuring, engaging stakeholders, and initiating investments for maximum impact.
Impact Europe
Impact Europe connects practitioners, policymakers, and researchers with insights and resources to drive positive social change across Europe. Through evidence-based reports, case studies, and tools, Impact Europe empowers communities to build and share innovative, impactful solutions. This platform facilitates collaboration and best practices for sustainable and social development.
FINSIA
FINSIA (Financial Services Institute of Australasia) promotes professional standards and development in the financial services sector. It offers resources, training, and networking opportunities for finance professionals. FINSIA advocates for ethical practices and supports members in navigating the evolving landscape of financial services, ensuring they remain competitive and informed.
COBA's customer owned banking impact reports
This series offers concise, structured overviews of the impact of customer-owned banks in Australia. It highlights their role in promoting competition, supporting communities, and advancing sustainability, focusing on their economic, social, and environmental contributions.
Enhancing impact performance in agriculture through non-financial support and sustainable practices
This report examines the relationship between sustainable agricultural practices and non-financial support in impact investments, highlighting how such support can enhance performance. Findings reveal that non-financial support improves outcomes for smallholder farmers, especially women, by increasing service provision and adoption of sustainable farming, contributing to resilience and profitability.
Convergence
Convergence is a global network dedicated to blended finance solutions, promoting sustainable development by bringing together public and private sector investors. It provides market intelligence, research, and data-driven insights to help fund impactful projects worldwide. Key resources include reports, tools, and case studies focused on scaling innovative finance.
Spotlight on nature: Case studies for business transformation towards a nature-positive future
This report highlights six case studies of businesses transforming towards a nature-positive future. It showcases their efforts to address nature-related risks and opportunities, focusing on areas such as sustainable forestry, circular resource use, soil health, sustainable seafood, biodiversity, and freshwater management.
Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV)
Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is a network of independent banks using finance to deliver sustainable economic, social and environmental development.