Library | ESG issues

Recycling

Recycling is the process of converting waste into new products or materials, reducing waste sent to landfills and minimising environmental impact. Companies increasingly design products with recyclability in mind, promoting a circular economy and bolstering the market for recycled materials. Investors can engage with polluting companies to encourage improved recycling practices, adoption of sustainable designs, and transparent reporting on waste management to drive accountability and reduction efforts.

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Value chain collaboration: Unlocking circular markets in Australia

Circular Australia
This report by Circular Australia and Arup identifies opportunities to build circular markets across five key Australian value chains—lithium batteries, PET bottles, green steel, low-carbon concrete, and textiles. It outlines current barriers, future pathways, and policy recommendations to improve resource efficiency, reduce emissions, and strengthen national economic resilience.
Research
1 November 2024

Cost and financing for a future free from plastic leakage: Policy highlights

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The report summarises the costs and financing required to eliminate global plastic leakage by 2060. It finds that coordinated global action could nearly eradicate leakage, with modest global GDP impacts but higher costs for developing economies. Increased development finance and private-sector mobilisation are essential to achieving this goal.
Research
22 December 2022

Circular Australia

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Circular Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation accelerating the shift to a circular economy across Australia by 2035. It supports businesses, government and researchers through data-driven reports, education programmes, taskforces and pilot projects to design out waste, keep materials in use and regenerate natural systems.
Organisation
3 research items

NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
NYU Stern’s Center for Sustainable Business (CSB) conducts applied research, education and engagement to embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices into core business strategy. It helps leaders quantify sustainability’s financial value, offers executive certificates, and develops tools to assess materiality and carbon impact.
Organisation
1 research item

Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)

Government Organisations & Departments
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) is a German government body responsible for economic policy, industrial strategy, energy transition, digitalisation, and climate action. It develops regulations, promotes innovation, supports businesses, and coordinates international cooperation to strengthen Germany’s economic growth while advancing sustainability and climate neutrality goals.
Organisation

Product life cycle accounting and reporting standard

World Resources Institute
The GHG Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard provides a globally consistent framework for companies to quantify and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions and removals associated with individual products across their life cycle. It enables informed emissions reduction strategies and supports performance tracking, supplier engagement, and product differentiation.
Research
16 April 2013

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

Exploring nature impacts and dependencies: A field guide to eight key sectors

Ceres
This field guide helps investors identify and assess nature-related impacts and dependencies across eight key sectors. It provides sector-specific insights and strategies for integrating nature considerations into investment decisions.
Research
26 March 2024

Green metal statecraft: Forging Australia’s green iron industry

Climate Energy Finance (CEF)
Australia’s "Green Metal Statecraft" outlines a transformative agenda for advancing its green iron industry. The report advocates leveraging renewables-powered iron ore processing, supported by $10-30 billion in strategic public investment. Emphasising economic, environmental, and energy security, the plan aligns national policy with decarbonisation to secure Australia’s leadership in sustainable steelmaking and green exports.
Research
15 November 2024

Country & City Waste Landscapes database

The Circulate Initiative
The Country and City Waste Landscapes database offers comprehensive data on plastic waste and management for 100 cities and island states across 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It serves as a centralised resource for understanding plastic pollution and related initiatives in these regions.
Online tool/database

Circular economy in the industrial goods sector: A framework for understanding private sector progress and innovation

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
This report outlines circular economy practices within the industrial goods sector, assessing actions taken by approximately 50 companies. It categorises their efforts into five key areas, highlighting examples of innovation and collaboration to advance sustainability while minimising waste and resource consumption in production processes.
Research
29 May 2024

Beyond an age of waste: Turning rubbish into a resource

United Nations Environment Programme
The report highlights the urgent need to rethink waste as a resource. It emphasises the significance of reducing waste generation, improving waste management practices, and transitioning towards a circular economy to mitigate the environmental impacts of waste. The report presents scenarios for future waste management and advocates for global action to prevent a worsening waste crisis.
Research
26 March 2024

An innovation pathway to decarbonization: Circular economy solutions for policymakers and industry in the US

Ellen MacArthur Foundation
The US has a significant opportunity to decarbonise its industrial sector and boost its economy by transitioning to a circular economy. This report explores the economic and environmental benefits of circular solutions in key industries, such as batteries, construction, and electronics. It also analyses current US policies that support a circular economy and provides recommendations for further policy interventions to accelerate this transition.
Research
23 April 2024

Canopy Planet

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Canopy Planet is a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting forests, species, and climate. With a focus on sustainable sourcing practices, it collaborates with companies to develop solutions that reduce deforestation and promote conservation. Canopy's work spans various industries, including fashion, packaging, and publishing.
Organisation
1 research item

Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions

The aim of this paper is to create transparency regarding the current understandings of the circular economy concept. The findings indicate that the circular economy is most frequently depicted as a combination of reduce, reuse and recycle activities. Concerningly, many definitions overlook that circular economy necessitates a systemic shift.
Research
15 September 2017

Bankrolling plastics: The banks that fund plastic packaging pollution

Portfolio Earth
Banks continue to finance the global plastics chain, despite the significant risks of lender liability from the impacts of plastic waste. This report highlights the lack of development of any due diligence systems, contingent loan criteria, or financing exclusions at the banks when it comes to the plastic packaging industry.
Research
5 January 2021
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