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 criticality of gender equality in the race for critical minerals
This report explores how the rising demand for critical minerals risks exacerbating long-standing gender inequalities within the mining sector. It provides factual recommendations for governments and organisations to implement gender-responsive impact assessments, inclusive consultation, and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms to safeguard women's rights globally.
Investing in the arms race: The companies building nuclear weapons and their financiers
This report analyses 25 companies producing nuclear weapons and their financial backers. Highlighting over $1 trillion in total investments and financing from 301 institutions, it urges the financial sector to use its leverage to reject nuclear armament and make choices that benefit global security and humanity.
Productivity and decent work: Achieving synergies between social and economic dimensions at the enterprise level
This research brief examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility and human resource management in enhancing enterprise productivity and decent work. It provides an overview of current literature, explores how aligning social and economic dimensions creates synergies, and identifies key gaps for future research to support sustainable development.
Child labour in Uganda: Trends and drivers, 2012–2021
This report analyses child labour trends in Uganda from 2012 to 2021, noting a decline in overall prevalence but highlighting persistent regional, gender, and age disparities. It examines underlying socio-economic drivers and outlines policy implications, recommending expanded social protection, educational access, and gender-responsive multisectoral interventions.
Beyond the illusion of innovative climate finance at scale in Africa: A market-informed blueprint for Kenya's just and resilient climate transition
This report examines why Kenya's climate finance gap persists despite strong institutions, renewable energy leadership and financial inclusion gains. It identifies seven flawed assumptions and recommends a nationally co-ordinated country investment platform to mobilise domestic capital, align incentives and deliver a just and resilient climate transition.
The growth of dual-use by design research in Europe: Export control risks and challenges
This report explores how increased funding for 'dual-use by design' research in Europe blurs the line between civilian and military ecosystems. It highlights proliferation risks and identifies challenges for export controls, arguing for a broader, integrated governance framework to safeguard international research collaboration and security.
Built to adapt: Inclusive financial institutions in a changing climate
This report explores how inclusive financial institutions can build climate resilience for themselves and their clients. It outlines strategies for risk assessment, innovative risk financing, and adapting product offerings. By adopting a mutually beneficial approach, providers can maintain their social mission while navigating intensifying climate impacts.
Update: Tech firms’ responses to our call for action to protect children
This report assesses tech firms' responses to regulatory demands for improved online child safety. Despite new duties, children remain exposed to harmful content via personalised feeds. While some platforms committed to enhanced age assurance and grooming protections, further action is required to enforce minimum age policies effectively.
Closing the loop: The quest for gender parity in African tech
This report examines gender parity in Africa's technology sector. While Africa leads in women's STEM representation globally, significant drop-offs occur at key career stages. The research identifies barriers such as biases and funding gaps, offering actionable strategies to enhance recruitment, support career progression, and increase access to start-up financing.
Study on national climate litigation
This report analyses strategic climate litigation trends across Europe, examining cases against states and corporations. It highlights key legal strategies, including human rights claims and polluter-pays mechanisms, while assessing the challenges of enforcing damages and the evolving obligations of governments and high-emitting businesses.
Sheltering from oil shocks: Measures to reduce impacts on households and businesses
This International Energy Agency report outlines measures to reduce the impact of oil supply disruptions on households and businesses. It details short-term and structural strategies across road and air transport, industry, and cooking fuels to lower demand and shield vulnerable consumers from rising energy costs.
Employment and social trends: May 2026 update: Growing labour market risks of the Middle East crisis
This report analyses the global labour market risks of the Middle East crisis. It estimates significant potential declines in working hours and real labour incomes, highlighting heightened vulnerabilities in the Arab States and the Asia-Pacific region due to disrupted energy markets, supply chains, and transport routes.
Counting what counts: A compass of progress for people and planet
This report presents a new framework and a dashboard of 31 indicators proposed by the UN High-Level Expert Group to measure societal progress beyond GDP. It emphasises equitable, inclusive and sustainable well-being, offering actionable recommendations for global adoption and enhanced statistical capacity by 2027.
Climate Shift Index: Humid Heat
Climate Shift Index: Humid Heat tracks and calculates the influence of human-caused climate change on daily humid heat conditions across the globe.
Digitalisation and innovation: Opportunities and risks for financial health
This report examines the impact of digital innovation on financial health. It outlines opportunities in payments, credit, savings, and insurance, whilst highlighting emerging risks such as fraud, overindebtedness, and ill-suited investments. The authors propose policy responses to enhance regulatory frameworks and promote responsible digitalisation in financial services.
OHCHR Knowledge Gateway
The OHCHR Knowledge Gateway provides access to human rights knowledge, practices, and resources to support implementation of international standards.
