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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Thriving workplaces: How employers can improve productivity and change lives

World Economic Forum
World Economic Forum report examining how employer investment in employee health and well-being improves productivity, retention and economic value. It analyses global workforce health data, identifies demographic disparities in burn-out and holistic health, and proposes measurement frameworks and organisational strategies to build healthier, more productive workplaces.
Research
16 January 2025

AI search has a citation problem

Columbia Journalism Review (CJR)
The report evaluates eight generative AI search tools and finds widespread problems in accurately citing news sources. Many systems fabricate or misattribute links, ignore publisher restrictions and provide confident but incorrect answers, raising concerns about information reliability, publisher traffic loss and the transparency of AI-generated search results.
Research
6 March 2025

Columbia Journalism Review (CJR)

Specialist News Services
Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) is a media analysis and journalism review publication produced by Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Founded in 1961, CJR examines news industry trends, press freedom, and media ethics, providing reporting, commentary, and criticism to help journalists and media professionals understand developments shaping global journalism.
Organisation
1 research item

Production and externalities: How corporate governance shapes social costs

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
This working paper examines how corporate governance structures influence firms’ production decisions and associated negative externalities. Using a principal–agent model and empirical analysis, the authors show that costly managerial monitoring encourages performance-based pay, which can incentivise practices that increase socially costly production and broader social costs.
Research
20 January 2026

The slow forces behind this year’s fast crises

The article argues that today’s rapid global crises (political, ecological, and social) are the visible outcomes of long-building systemic pressures. Using complexity science and systemic risk analysis, it highlights how understanding these deep drivers can help societies both anticipate crises and accelerate positive, transformative change.
Article
11 March 2026

Finance, nature and food systems: Consumers choosing sustainable food systems in Brazil

NatureFinance
This report analyses Brazilian food consumption behaviours and tests nudging strategies in online shopping to promote sustainable diets. Findings indicate plant-rich diets, reduced food waste and improved labelling could lower food-system emissions. The study recommends combining consumer nudges, education and policy measures to support sustainable food choices and environmental outcomes.
Research
22 September 2022

Colorado School of Mines

Academic Institutions
Colorado School of Mines is a public research university in Golden, Colorado specialising in engineering, applied science and technology. Founded in 1874, it delivers undergraduate and graduate programmes focused on energy, earth sciences and sustainability, and conducts industry-connected research addressing global challenges in resources, environment and advanced engineering fields worldwide.
Organisation
1 research item

Marico Innovation Foundation

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Marico Innovation Foundation (MIF) is a philanthropic organisation that supports impact-driven innovation and entrepreneurship in India. It works with startups, innovators and ecosystem partners to scale solutions in areas such as climate adaptation, plastic waste management, clean technology and agriculture technology, aiming to create large-scale social, environmental and economic impact.
Organisation
1 research item

Ethical fashion report series

Baptist World Aid Australia
The Ethical Fashion Report series assesses fashion companies’ supply chain practices, focusing on worker rights, labour conditions, transparency, and environmental stewardship. Produced by Baptist World Aid Australia, the series evaluates brands’ policies and performance to encourage improved accountability and progress towards a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry.
Research
15 October 2024

Mental state of the world report series

Sapien Labs
This benchmark series examines global trends in mind health using data from the Global Mind Project. It assesses people’s capacity to navigate life’s challenges and function productively using the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ), analysing generational, geographic, and societal factors influencing mental wellbeing across the internet-enabled global population.
Benchmark/series
24 February 2026

Sapien Labs

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Sapien Labs is a global non-profit research organisation founded in 2016 that studies the human brain and mind. Through initiatives such as the Global Mind Project, Sapien Labs collects large-scale data on mental health, environment and lifestyle to understand drivers of mind health and inform evidence-based approaches to mental wellbeing.
Organisation
1 research item

Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is a UK-based social change charity focused on tackling poverty and inequality. Through research, policy analysis and collaboration, JRF produces evidence, reports and data on housing, work, social security and living standards to inform policy and drive action towards a UK without poverty.
Organisation
1 research item

Scaling up green investment in the global south: Strengthening domestic financial resource mobilisation and attracting patient international capital

SOAS University of London
This report examines why capital flows ‘uphill’ from emerging and developing economies and argues that scaling green investment requires stronger domestic financial resource mobilisation. It recommends developing local currency bond markets, empowering national development banks, reforming multilateral development banks, and establishing a climate finance facility to attract patient international capital.
Research
25 October 2024

Sustainable Finance Roundup February 2026: Disclosure, Carbon Trade, and Transition Economics

This month’s sustainability roundup traces a rapidly evolving landscape in climate governance and industrial transition, highlighting the convergence of ISSB-aligned disclosure standards and emerging carbon trade measures alongside shifting cost curves in transport and critical minerals. It underscores how tighter emissions accounting and border policies are embedding carbon competitiveness into capital allocation, while advances in electrification, AI-driven power demand and expanding legal accountability are integrating climate and nature risk into mainstream financial decision-making.
Article
3 March 2026

Integrating human rights due diligence (HRDD) in finance and investment

Altiorem
Guide outlining how investors integrate human rights due diligence (HRDD) into ESG processes, particularly listed equities. It explains regulatory drivers, investor risks and opportunities, practical integration steps, barriers and case studies, emphasising saliency, stewardship, remediation and governance to manage human rights risks and align with evolving global standards.
Research
1 December 2025

University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (FHP)

Academic Institutions
Fachhochschule Potsdam University of Applied Sciences (FHP) is a German university offering practice-oriented degree programmes in design, civil engineering, social sciences and information sciences. Based in Potsdam, FHP combines applied research, knowledge transfer and international collaboration, supporting innovation, urban development and digital transformation through teaching, research projects and industry partnerships.
Organisation
1 research item
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