Library | ESG issues
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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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U.S. climate policy and blockchain innovation in future smart and sustainable cities
This report explores blockchain's potential to address climate challenges and foster smart, sustainable cities. It highlights blockchain's capacity for decentralisation, transparency, and efficiency in urban governance, renewable energy, and civic participation. Recommendations include multi-stakeholder collaboration, educational initiatives, and human-centred design to ensure ethical, inclusive implementation for climate resilience and innovation. 
  
  
Infrastructure tokenization: Does blockchain have a role in the financing of infrastructure?
The report explores the potential of blockchain technology in financing infrastructure projects. It evaluates blockchain's capabilities in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in infrastructure tokenisation, while addressing challenges like regulatory constraints, market adoption, and technical barriers. The findings highlight both opportunities and limitations for integrating blockchain into infrastructure financing.
  
  
Impact tokens: A blockchain-based solution for impact investing
The report explores the concept of impact tokens, blockchain-based tools designed to unlock investments for sustainable projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These tokens enhance transparency, foster financial inclusion, improve data collection, and incentivise sustainable behaviours. Case studies illustrate applications across energy, agriculture, and waste management sectors, demonstrating potential in addressing global challenges. .
  
  
Blockchain for sustainability: A systematic literature review for policy impact
The report reviews blockchain's role in sustainability, analysing 10,188 studies. It highlights blockchain's potential in supply chain management, energy systems, and IoT-based solutions like smart cities. However, gaps persist in aligning blockchain applications with global ESG regulations and carbon trading mechanisms. Recommendations aim to improve blockchain's utility in achieving net-zero goals.
  
  
Responsible investment and blockchain
The report explores blockchain technology's relevance to responsible investment, highlighting its potential to enhance transparency, automate processes, and improve ESG data tracking. It discusses blockchain's implications for shareholder voting, decentralised systems, financial inclusivity, and sustainability. Practical challenges, including regulation, technical integration, and energy use, are also addressed. .
  
  
Engaging affected stakeholders: The emerging duties of board members
This report provides guidance for corporate boards on effectively engaging stakeholders to uphold human rights. It outlines strategies for meaningful engagement, addressing stakeholder concerns, and integrating human rights considerations into corporate governance and decision-making processes.
  
  
The state of Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ lands and territories
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current status and challenges faced by Indigenous peoples and local communities in managing their lands and territories. It highlights the importance of these lands for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and cultural heritage. This report supports investors in integrating biodiversity into investment decision-making by providing crucial insights into the stewardship of Indigenous lands. It informs engagement and stewardship activities with corporations, and, through the provision of data about the importance of these lands for the provision of ecosystem services, aids in assessing biodiversity impacts and dependencies, and highlights the importance of sustainable land management.
  
  
UN Environment Programme's emissions gap report series
This benchmark report, produced by the United Nations Environment Programme, assesses the discrepancy between projected and necessary global greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement targets. It highlights the urgent need for enhanced mitigation actions and tracks progress on national commitments and policy implementations.
  
  
The financial stability implications of artificial intelligence
The report discusses the rapid adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector, driven by advancements in technology and increasing operational efficiency. Key risks include dependencies on third-party providers, market correlations, and cyber vulnerabilities. Generative AI's accessibility could amplify systemic risks, necessitating enhanced regulatory frameworks, vigilant monitoring, and robust governance to ensure financial stability amid evolving AI technologies.
  
  
Developing responsible chatbots for financial services: A pattern-oriented responsible AI engineering approach
The report outlines a pattern-oriented engineering approach for responsible AI in financial services. It identifies challenges in scaling responsible AI, introduces a Responsible AI Pattern Catalogue for addressing lifecycle risks, and provides case studies on chatbot development. The study underscores governance, process, and product strategies to operationalise responsible AI principles effectively.
  
  
Leveraging food security and environmental sustainability in achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from a global perspective
The study investigates the relationship between food security, environmental sustainability, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 63 countries from 2010–2021. Key findings highlight that promoting agricultural exports, sustainable farming, and reducing food imports positively impact economic growth and alleviate poverty. Environmental degradation negatively affects growth, affirming the need for green policies to achieve SDGs inclusively.
  
  
The BankTrack human rights benchmark reports
The BankTrack Human Rights Benchmark series evaluates commercial banks globally, with a global and regional focus including Latin America, Asia, and Africa. It assesses 50 of the world’s largest private sector commercial banks against the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, examining policy commitments, due diligence, reporting, and remedy processes to ensure compliance with human rights standards.
  
  
Green metal statecraft: Forging Australia’s green iron industry
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.
  
  
The prevention of adult exploitation and trafficking
The report synthesises research between 2020-2024 on preventing adult exploitation and trafficking. It highlights limited evidence on early intervention, re-trafficking prevention, and primary prevention. Recommendations include better prevention systems, multi-agency collaboration, addressing root causes, and evaluating effective trade and governance practices.
  
  
Synthetic content: Exploring the risks, technical approaches, and regulatory responses
Generative AI enables the rapid creation of synthetic content, offering both opportunities and risks. This report examines challenges like disinformation and fraud, outlines technical and regulatory strategies, and explores trade-offs with privacy. Techniques discussed include watermarking, provenance tracking, and legal frameworks, aiming to enhance transparency while safeguarding privacy.
  
  
Early warning systems and early action in fragile, conflict-affected and violent contexts: Addressing growing climate and disaster risks
The report explores the implementation of early warning systems (EWS) in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts, emphasising climate and disaster risk management. It identifies key challenges like limited governance and data availability, proposes governance coordination, regional cooperation, and technology integration as solutions, and advocates for conflict-sensitive and community-based approaches to build resilience and save lives.