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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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Developing an approach to nature risk in financial services

Climate Financial Risk Forum (CFRF)
The report outlines how financial institutions can assess and manage nature-related risks by integrating climate–nature interactions, systemic risk concepts and TNFD-aligned approaches. It highlights data gaps, tipping points, and scenario analysis to support prudent risk management and strategic decision-making.
Research
23 October 2025

Banking on business as usual: The energy finance imbalance

Reclaim Finance
The report assesses energy financing by 65 major banks (2021–2024), finding fossil fuel finance more than double sustainable power supply. The energy supply financing ratio stagnates around 0.42:1, far below net-zero benchmarks, with regional disparities and weak translation of climate commitments into financing shifts.
Research
29 September 2025

On the horizon: Climate-induced inflation and the price of food

The Autonomy Institute
This report analyses climate-driven food price inflation in the UK, linking global heat and drought shocks to rising import costs. It projects 25–34% cumulative food inflation by 2050, with disproportionate impacts on low-income households and increased poverty risks.
Research
17 July 2025

Historical redlining and cumulative environmental impacts across the United States

This study analyses 202 US cities, linking historic redlining to higher present-day cumulative environmental burdens. Using EJScreen data and modelling, it finds redlined neighbourhoods face significantly greater combined pollution exposures, particularly from traffic, hazardous waste and wastewater sites, with strongest disparities in western regions.
Research
30 December 2025

Unlocking Opportunity: Addressing Livestock Methane to Build Resilient Food Systems

Ceres
This Ceres report outlines the financial and climate case for reducing livestock methane. It maps methane exposure across food supply chains and sets out strategies for companies and investors to manage risk, strengthen resilience, and capture value through near-term methane mitigation.
Research
14 March 2025

The role of traceability in critical mineral supply chains

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The report examines how traceability can support responsible critical mineral supply chains. It outlines policy drivers, system components, costs and limitations, and mineral-specific challenges, concluding that well-designed traceability can enhance due diligence, transparency and supply security when proportionate and risk-based.
Research
26 February 2025

Growing resilience: Unlocking the potential of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa

World Resources Institute
The report assesses nature-based solutions for climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa, reviewing nearly 300 projects. It finds growing adoption but insufficient scale, highlighting financing, policy, and capacity gaps, and recommends integrating NBS into infrastructure planning, diversifying funding, and strengthening social inclusion and local capability.
Research
13 March 2025

Climate inequality & just transition: An introduction for actuaries

Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA)
This report explains climate inequality and climate justice, outlines risks from unjust climate transitions, and frames just transition principles. It highlights how climate impacts amplify inequality and sets out roles for actuaries in risk assessment, fairness, and supporting equitable climate-resilient development.
Research
3 October 2024

Fashion’s plastic paralysis: How brands resist change and fuel microplastic pollution

Changing markets foundation
The report examines fashion brands’ continued reliance on synthetic fibres, highlighting how voluntary commitments, lobbying, and weak accountability delay fibre reduction and regulation. It links current business models to rising microplastic pollution and concludes that systemic policy and production changes are required.
Research
24 September 2024

Nature-related risks and the duties of directors of Canadian corporations

Resilient LLP
This legal opinion examines whether nature-related risks are foreseeable and material for Canadian companies. It concludes directors must consider, manage and, where material, disclose such risks to meet fiduciary and care duties under Canadian corporate and securities law.
Research
29 July 2025

Climate extremes, food price spikes, and their wider societal risks

The report links unprecedented climate extremes to sharp food price spikes, documenting recent global cases. It finds these shocks worsen inequality, food security, health outcomes, inflation volatility and political stability, and argues for stronger mitigation, adaptation, forecasting and social safety nets to manage rising systemic risks.
Research
21 July 2025

The insurability imperative: Using insurance to navigate the climate transition

Howden Group
This report argues that insurability is a strategic indicator of financial viability in a climate-disrupted economy. It explains how insurance, risk modelling, resilience investment, and policy alignment shape access to capital, asset values, and transition finance, urging leaders to embed insurability into decision-making.
Research
19 June 2025

Information integrity about climate science: A systematic review

International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE)
Systematic review of 300 studies (2015-2025) finds coordinated misinformation and greenwashing by corporate, political, and media actors undermine climate science, eroding trust and delaying policy. Research is Global North–centric. Evidence supports regulation, litigation, coalitions, and education to strengthen information integrity.
Research
19 June 2025

Green industrial policy’s unfinished business: A publicly managed fossil fuel wind-down

Roosevelt Institute
The report argues that green industrial policy must actively manage a fossil fuel wind-down. It contends that renewables expansion alone is insufficient, calling for public planning, regulation, and ownership to ensure equitable decarbonisation and prevent fossil fuel liabilities shifting to the public.
Research
17 July 2024

Connecting planetary boundaries and planetary health: A resilient and stable earth system is crucial for human health

The Lancet
The Lancet comment argues that integrating planetary boundaries and planetary health frameworks is essential to protect human health. It outlines health risks from Earth system destabilisation, stresses justice and equity, and calls for coordinated research, policy alignment, and improved monitoring and communication.
Research
15 July 2025

Council on Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global

Government Organisations & Departments
Council on Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global is a government-appointed body advising on ethical standards for sovereign wealth fund investments. It assesses companies against human rights, environmental and governance criteria, and publishes public recommendations on exclusion or observation to support responsible investment by Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global.
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