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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G-20: Data enhancement and coordination in SME finance

The World Bank
This report examines small and medium enterprise finance indicators collected by development finance institutions. The analysis reveals the limits of SME finance data and underscores the need for better coordination and more gender-disaggregated data. Recommendations include a common collection approach and joint data-sharing of core indicators.
Research
23 April 2020

Shopping for a bargain: How the purchasing practices of clothing brands in Australia impact the women who make our clothes

Oxfam
This report examines the purchasing practices of clothing brands operating in Australia and highlights the impact on women workers in the countries where clothing is made. It calls on brands to publish a plan and commitment to ensuring a living wage for workers throughout their supply chains.
Research
25 November 2020

Do androids dream of responsible investment? Exploring responsible investment in the age of information

ShareAction
This report provides insight into the emerging responsible investment risks surrounding technology. The report covers four key areas of concern; bias and discrimination, manipulation and influencing behaviour, big tech and market dominance, and automation and the future of work, alongside case studies and recommended questions for asset owners.
Research
16 April 2020

Intentionally designed endowment primer

Intentional Endowments Network
This primer provides insight into aligning endowment investments with institutional missions while considering sustainability. The report includes strategic questions, background, examples, and relevant research. Intended for fiduciaries, this primer encourages institutional acceptance and deployment of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria to facilitate profitable sustainability while advancing social purpose.
Research
29 August 2019

Study on sustainability - related ratings, data and research

European Commission
This study on sustainability-related ratings, data and research seeks to explore the sustainability data landscape and the issues related to the assessment and evaluation of sustainability performance. It examines various sustainability-related rating systems, methodologies, and data providers, with insights from asset managers, asset owners, and benchmark administrators.
Research
26 August 2021

Enabling FPIC through voluntary standards: An ISEAL innovations fund project

Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)
This report explores ways to enable Free, Prior, and Informed Consent through voluntary standards. It reviews existing literature and provides a framework for companies and assurance providers to verify and monitor successful implementation of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent from the perspective of affected communities.
Research
4 October 2018

Authentic sustainability assessment: A user manual for the sustainable development performance indicators

United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
This report provides guidelines for organisations to measure their sustainability performance and report effectively. The document presents indicators for three areas: economy, society, and environment; these are divided into tiers. It also developed a two-tier framework that uses 61 indicators to assess sustainability performance and progress at an organisational level.
Research
12 November 2022

Education: Learning for Life: Why enterprise L&D is the next frontier In global education

Citi
This report examines the growing importance of Learning & Development (L&D) programmes for businesses. It highlights the increasing recognition of L&D as a strategic investment, particularly for upskilling and reskilling employees to address the skills gap. The report also explores the challenges in L&D implementation, such as low employee engagement and vendor satisfaction, and offers insights into the future of corporate L&D, including trends in digitalisation and budget growth.
Research
10 November 2021

Disrupting privilege as power and control: Re-imagining business and the appreciation of Indigenous stewardship in management education curricula

This report explores privilege's systemic connection to mainstream management education and proposes how engaging with Indigenous stewardship can tackle this. Using a case study of stewardship's implementation in a Master of Commerce program, educators can contribute to literature on re-imagining business and create better future business leaders.
Research
2 June 2022

Are pharma companies addressing sexual and reproductive health access barriers for women and girls?

Access to Medicine Foundation
This report examines the role of pharmaceutical companies in addressing access barriers hindering women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally. It assesses their research on new SRHR medicines and products, pricing strategies, company capacity building efforts, and inclusive business models.
Research
12 February 2022

The debt-fossil fuel trap: Why debt is a barrier to fossil fuel phase-out and what we can do about it

Debt Justice
This paper explores the links between indebtedness and fossil fuel exploitation in developing countries. The briefing concludes with recommendations for achieving debt justice, preserving the environment, and tackling climate change.
Research
2 August 2023

Making change: What works?

Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
This paper investigates to understand what makes social movements successful in creating change. The report concludes that having more and better evidence is crucial to encourage change, but evidence alone will not secure change. Instead, social movements must change the hearts and minds of the public and increase the power of those who stand to benefit from change.
Research
16 November 2021

Chapter Zero New Zealand Board Toolkit

Chapter Zero New Zealand
This toolkit is published to provide tools, support, and encouragement to prioritise climate change on boards and within organisations. The resource outlines 5 steps to ensure boards are well-equipped to address climate change, with relevant industry sector case studies.
Research
28 March 2023

Who cares wins: Connecting financial markets to a changing world

United Nations Global Compact
The report outlines recommendations by leading financial institutions for integrating environmental, social, and governance factors in financial analysis and investment decisions. Produced under the auspices of the United Nations Global Compact, this report reflects the commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainable development by twenty endorsing institutions.
Research
27 December 2004

Diversity washing

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
This paper investigates the phenomenon of "diversity washing," whereby companies appear to prioritize diversity and inclusion (DEI) in their public discourse to a greater degree than their internal practices suggest. The authors use an empirical approach to evaluate the prevalence and effectiveness of this phenomenon.
Research
30 December 2023

Facilitating a circular economy for textiles workshop report

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
This report provides insights on the current status of circularity in the textile industry including waste generation, social and environmental impact, raw material use, and data challenges. The report highlights research needs, boundary-spanning tools, and standards to facilitate a circular economy.
Research
9 May 2022
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