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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The financial stability implications of artificial intelligence

Financial Stability Board (FSB)
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.
Research
14 November 2024

Developing responsible chatbots for financial services: A pattern-oriented responsible AI engineering approach

CSIRO
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.
Research
28 February 2023

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.
Research
12 September 2024

The BankTrack human rights benchmark reports

BankTrack
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.
Benchmark/series

Green metal statecraft: Forging Australia’s green iron industry

Climate Energy Finance (CEF)
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.
Research
15 November 2024

The prevention of adult exploitation and trafficking

Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre
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.
Research
8 November 2024

Synthetic content: Exploring the risks, technical approaches, and regulatory responses

Future of Privacy Forum (FPF)
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.
Research
15 October 2024

Early warning systems and early action in fragile, conflict-affected and violent contexts: Addressing growing climate and disaster risks

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDDR)
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.
Research
30 September 2024

Collective investor impact in secondary markets

Sustainable Finance Observatory
This report explores collective investor impact mechanisms in secondary markets, focusing on collaborative engagement and coordinated price signalling. It examines how collective actions by investors, such as joint shareholder engagements and price signals, can influence corporate behaviour more effectively than individual efforts, with practical recommendations for successful implementation.
Research
25 October 2024

Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard

The Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard, developed by the World Bank, G7, and partners, offers timely, high-quality data on food crises at both country and global levels. It provides insights into food insecurity, nutrition, and related indicators, supporting informed decision-making and policy development.
Online tool/database

UNEP FI impact analysis tools for banks/investors

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
This tool is designed for banks, investors and corporate clients and investee companies. The tool guides banks/investors through an impact analysis of their portfolios. Developed jointly with signatories from the PRB and UNEP FI, the tool helps banks/investors set targets.
Online tool/database

GIIN's IRIS

Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
IRIS+ provides streamlined, practical, how-to guidance on integrating social and environmental factors into investment decision making. It is free to use.
Online tool/database

Protected Planet

Protected Planet is the most up to date and complete source of data on protected areas and other effective are-based conservation measures (OECMs), updated monthly with submissions from governments, non-government organisations, landowners and communities.
Online tool/database

Eora global supply chain database

EORA is a global supply chain database that consists of a multi-region input output table (MIRO) model that provides a time series of high-resolution IO tables with matching environmental and social satellite accounts for 190 countries. EORA has particularly high granularity for Australia, whereas EXIOBASE is ideal for the European context.
Online tool/database

Artificial intelligence and big holdings data: Opportunities for central banks

This report explores the potential of artificial intelligence and big holdings data for central banks. It highlights how asset demand systems and AI models improve policy decisions, optimise monetary interventions, and address financial risks. Applications include managing contagion, designing climate stress tests, and identifying crowded trades, enhancing economic resilience.
Research
30 October 2024

Go, teams: When teams get healthier, the whole organization benefits

McKinsey & Company
Effective teams drive organisational success, yet myths like prioritising top talent and heroic leadership hinder progress. This article highlights evidence-based team behaviours—trust, communication, innovation, and decision-making—as critical to long-term performance, offering strategies to enhance team health, collaboration, and alignment across organisational contexts.
Research
31 October 2024
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