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.

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Mobilising institutional capital towards the SDGs and a Just Transition

Impact Investing Institute
This report outlines pathways for mobilising institutional capital towards the Sustainable Development Goals and a Just Transition. It focuses on investment vehicles, emerging markets, and private asset classes, providing practical recommendations, case studies, and frameworks to integrate environmental, social, and community considerations into scalable, impactful financial strategies.
Research
17 December 2021

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) is a global network of 2,500+ cities, towns and regions across 125+ countries. It supports local governments with technical assistance, peer exchange and tools to accelerate climate action, sustainable urban development, biodiversity protection and resilient, equitable and circular outcomes.
Organisation
2 research items

How can we advance climate action on boards?

Climate Governance Initiative
The report explores how board directors perceive and advance climate action. While most recognise its importance and opportunity, competing priorities and knowledge gaps hinder progress. Local Chapters of the Climate Governance Initiative are shown to support action through resources, training, and peer networks across varied global contexts.
Research
9 April 2024

Replacing Animal Research

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Replacing Animal Research is a UK charity dedicated to ending animal testing by promoting human-relevant, non-animal research methods. Through funding scientific projects, publishing the peer-reviewed journal ATLA, and engaging in education and policy advocacy, it aims to create a world where no animal suffers for science.
Organisation

A typology of the climate activist

This paper presents a typology of climate activists based on their focus—internal (endogenous) or external (exogenous)—and their theory of change—collaborative or confrontational. It proposes 16 activist types across individual, group, coalition, and institutional levels to improve conceptual clarity around climate activism.
Research
1 December 2023

Nature positive: Leaders’ insights for the transition in cities

Oliver Wyman
The report outlines strategies and case studies from global cities integrating nature into urban development to address climate and biodiversity challenges. It highlights the importance of public-private collaboration, compact planning, and nature-based infrastructure in fostering resilient, sustainable, and equitable cities. Solutions are scalable and grounded in real-world examples.
Research
11 November 2024

Kantar

Commercial Research Providers
Kantar is a global leader in marketing data, insights and analytics, supporting over 96 of the world’s top 100 advertisers across 90+ markets. It combines behavioural and attitudinal data to inform brand strategy, creative testing, media effectiveness, customer experience and sustainable growth.
Organisation
1 research item

Starting up: Responsible investment in venture capital

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This report examines how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are being adopted in venture capital. It outlines current practices, challenges, and industry-specific considerations, and highlights the need for tailored guidance, collaboration, and early-stage engagement to advance responsible investment across the venture capital ecosystem.
Research
19 January 2022

Human rights due diligence for private markets investors: A technical guide

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This guide outlines how private markets investors can integrate human rights due diligence into investment processes, aligned with the UN Guiding Principles. It covers policy commitments, risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and remedy provision to address human rights impacts, mitigate risk, and meet evolving legal and societal expectations.
Research
7 June 2023

Broadening the horizon: How CFOs and finance functions can help drive corporate sustainability

Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
This report discusses the increasing need for businesses to prioritise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. It highlights the evolving role of CFOs and finance functions in integrating sustainability into business strategies and decision-making processes due to their expertise in data analysis, risk management, and strategic planning.
Research
1 February 2024

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.
Research
23 January 2025

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.
Research
11 April 2022

Australian Impact Investments (Aii)

Commercial Research Providers
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.
Organisation

Business for Nature

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
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.
Organisation
3 research items

Go, teams: When teams get healthier, the whole organization benefits

McKinsey & Company
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.
Research
31 October 2024

Towards a new economic paradigm 2.0: Innovating to integrate decision-making across nature, people, society and the economy

Capitals Coalition (CapsCo)
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.
Research
2 July 2024
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