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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Finance for war: Finance for peace: How values based banks foster peace in a world of increasing conflict
The report analyses global financial links to arms production, showing significant funding for weapons despite rising conflict. It contrasts this with values-based banks, particularly GABV members, which largely exclude arms financing, arguing divestment supports peace, reduces risk, and aligns finance with social and environmental objectives.
Repurposing power markets: The path to sustainable and affordable energy for all
IFC’s report argues that repurposing power market designs is critical to achieving affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity. Drawing on global data, it finds competitive markets attract private capital, improve access and accelerate renewables, while recommending tailored reforms guided by innovation, integration and institutional strength.
Stakeholder engagement and science-based targets for nature
This report provides guidance for companies on integrating affected stakeholder perspectives into science-based targets for nature, emphasising Indigenous rights, equity, and due diligence. It outlines who to engage, how to engage, and how to evaluate engagement across the SBTN five-step process.
Powering up the global south: The cleantech path to growth
The report argues the Global South is rapidly adopting cleantech as its cheapest growth pathway, driven by low energy access, limited fossil resources and abundant renewables. Falling costs, electrification and Chinese supply underpin accelerating solar and wind deployment, with fossil fuel demand for electricity expected to peak by 2030.
Developing an approach to nature risk in financial services
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.
Banking on business as usual: The energy finance imbalance
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.
On the horizon: Climate-induced inflation and the price of food
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.
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.
Unlocking Opportunity: Addressing Livestock Methane to Build Resilient Food Systems
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.
The role of traceability in critical mineral supply chains
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.
Growing resilience: Unlocking the potential of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa
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.
Climate inequality & just transition: An introduction for actuaries
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.
Fashion’s plastic paralysis: How brands resist change and fuel microplastic pollution
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.
Nature-related risks and the duties of directors of Canadian corporations
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.
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.
The insurability imperative: Using insurance to navigate the climate transition
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.
