Library | ESG issues

Social

The social pillar in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) assesses a organisation’s impact on people and society. It covers labour practices, diversity and inclusion, human rights and community engagement. Prioritising social responsibility not only benefits society but also mitigates risks, strengthens reputation, and creates long-term value for businesses and investors.

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Women's empowerment principles series

United Nations Global Compact
This series examines how businesses integrate women’s empowerment and gender equality across leadership, workplaces, marketplaces and communities. It uses the Women’s Empowerment Principles Gender Gap Analysis Tool to assess corporate policies and practices, support benchmarking and identify opportunities for businesses to strengthen gender equality approaches over time.
Benchmark/series
13 March 2020

ICMA's guidance handbooks series

International Capital Market Association
This guidance series provides a comprehensive set of questions and answers regarding the application of the Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, Sustainability Bond Guidelines, and Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles. It serves as a benchmark series for the sustainable bond market, promoting transparency and standardisation across various financial debt instruments.
Benchmark/series
18 June 2026

Mainstreaming just transition finance: Lessons from emerging best practice

Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
This report examines the integration of just transition principles into private finance. It highlights structural barriers, including the lack of robust business cases and quantifiable evidence. Recommendations include embedding just transition into existing regulatory frameworks, strengthening the evidence base for commercial benefits, and aligning private incentives with national commitments.
Research
30 June 2026

Just Nature: How finance can support a just transition at the interface of action on climate and biodiversity

Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
This report examines how the financial sector can facilitate a just transition within nature-based systems. It outlines priorities for sustainable agriculture, deforestation, nature-based solutions, and ocean restoration. The authors provide strategic recommendations for integrating human rights and social inclusion into climate and biodiversity actions to achieve a net-zero economy.
Research
25 August 2022

Profits and social impacts: Complements vs. tradeoffs for lenders in three countries

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
This research examines the tradeoff between lender profits and social impact using machine learning across three countries. It demonstrates that algorithmic targeting significantly boosts profit margins in South Africa and the Philippines but may reduce financial inclusion for women and low-income borrowers unless balanced strategies are implemented.
Research
18 July 2026

The price and distributional impact of flood risk disclosure: Evidence from US housing platforms

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
This research quantifies the impact of property-level flood risk disclosure on US housing prices and demographics. Homes labelled with 'extreme' risk saw a 3.3% price discount. Disclosure caused significant resorting, with lower-income, older, and FHA-financed buyers increasingly purchasing high-risk properties primarily due to reduced transaction prices.
Research
23 July 2026

Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance: Portfolio

Climate Policy Initiative
The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance Portfolio is a database of vetted financial instruments designed to mobilise private capital for climate action. It provides finance professionals with access to innovative blended finance models, case studies, and sector-specific investment structures.
Online tool/database

Mapping social and environmental due diligence legislation

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
This OECD report maps 21 legislative measures across 11 jurisdictions concerning social and environmental due diligence. It identifies key areas of convergence and divergence in regulatory scope and requirements. The findings aim to support international policy co-operation, reduce implementation complexity, and promote consistent global enforcement approaches.
Research
4 May 2026

Tips on effective grievance mechanisms for businesses

British International Investment (formerly CDC Group)
This report outlines strategies for businesses to implement effective grievance mechanisms aligned with UN Guiding Principles. It highlights how robust engagement can prevent potential financial losses of $25-40 million. Guidance covers design, internal governance, and maintaining effectiveness in high-risk environments to build stakeholder trust and ensure human rights compliance.
Research
15 July 2025

Intentional Endowments Network (IEN)

IEN is a peer-learning network supporting endowments and foundations to integrate climate and social inequality considerations into investment strategies.
Online tool/database

Clean cooking in Africa 2026: Progress report

International Energy Agency (IEA)
This report evaluates progress toward universal clean cooking access in sub-Saharan Africa. While delivery rates have tripled since 2010, population growth continues to outpace gains. The analysis covers investment trends, infrastructure development, and the impact of the 2026 energy crisis on regional fuel supply chains.
Research
9 July 2026

Exploring guarantees for resilient and low-carbon cities: Part 2: De-risking urban climate finance series

Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA)
This report examines how guarantees can unlock private climate finance for cities. It identifies barriers to uptake in emerging markets, such as high costs and complex structures. Proposed solutions include strengthening governance, standardising products, and expanding regional facilities to mobilise the USD 4.3 trillion required annually by 2030.
Research
27 April 2026

Connecting capital within African agrifood systems: Lessons from a decade of practice

Climate Policy Initiative
This report examines the structural misalignment between investors and agribusinesses in African agrifood systems. It highlights that while annual climate finance reached USD 7.8 billion, it falls short of the USD 1.1 trillion global requirement. Recommendations focus on improving technical assistance and intermediation to mobilise capital effectively.
Research
17 June 2026

The price of gas: The hidden costs of European banks’ support for gas power expansion

Reclaim Finance
This report examines how 24 European banks provided US$41.9 billion to gas power developers between 2021 and 2024. It highlights significant health impacts, including nearly 3,000 premature deaths in Europe, and warns that expanding gas infrastructure undermines global climate targets and exposes economies to price volatility.
Research
1 April 2026

Toward transformation in finance: Seeds of nature-positive futures

This research examines "finance for nature seeds" — innovative initiatives aimed at transforming the financial sector to reverse nature loss. By analysing 92 global projects, the study identifies diverse approaches to funding nature stewardship, highlighting current reliance on market-based mechanisms and the potential for inclusive, value-pluralistic financial systems.
Research
10 April 2026

Understanding inequality as a macro-financial risk to markets and diversified portfolios

The Predistribution Initiative
This research identifies economic inequality as a systemic macro-financial risk to markets. It examines how wealth concentration and market power destabilise economies, fuel social instability, and hinder progress on global challenges. The report advocates for new financial analysis tools and disclosure frameworks to integrate social-related risks into investment strategies.
Research
18 July 2026
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