The research explores the moral, financial and economic justification for responsible investment, and the academic evidence underpinning future action. It concentrates on how ESG factors materially impact investment risk and returns, clarifying the agency of investors over non-financial value creation.

Companies and institutional investors are being asked to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their business activities, asset allocation and investment decisions. The SDG investment case tries to answer the question: Why are the SDGs relevant to institutional investors?

Sustainalytics is a global leader in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) research and ratings. Today, Sustainalytics supports hundreds of the world’s foremost investors who incorporate ESG insights into their investment processes.

This paper informs asset owners about the current state of sustainable investing for US institutional investors. Drawing on the experiences of over 100 asset owners and investment professional as well as evidence from WRI’s own endowment the paper constructs a detailed outline of sustainable investing. It highlights the underlying motives and drivers, governance structures, relevant data and standards, investment vehicles, and key barriers that shape opportunities for implementation.

Mercer is an American human resources consulting firm that aims to redefine the world of work, reshape retirement and investment outcomes, and unlock real health and well-being. For more than 70 years, Mercer has been providing advice and solutions to build healthier and more sustainable futures for clients, colleagues and communities.

DWS Group, formerly, Deutsche Asset and Wealth Management, is a leading asset manager with €767 billion in assets under management (at 2019). They are headquartered in Germany and operate globally, serving a range of traditional and alternative investment capabilities to institutional and retail clients worldwide.

This research focuses on providing a framework for institutional investors to improve long-term outcomes for their portfolios, their investee companies and for their stakeholders. This framework is comprised of five core action areas: investment beliefs, risk appetite statement, benchmarking process, evaluations and incentives, and investment mandates.

Decent work cannot exist where modern slavery and child labour persist, yet it is widespread across the globe. Nevertheless, a world with decent jobs can be realised with the help of companies.