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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AXA Research Lab on Gender Equality

Academic Institutions
AXA Research Lab on Gender Equality (Gender Lab) at Bocconi University in Milan advances empirical research and education on gender economics, diversity and policy impact. The lab publishes reports, hosts events and fosters academic-industry collaboration to promote gender equality across labour markets, fertility dynamics, culture and political representation.
Organisation
1 research item

An integrative approach to responsible investment

First Sentier Investors
This report by First Sentier Investors outlines a holistic approach to responsible investment that integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. It argues that considering synergies and trade-offs across ESG issues enables better risk management and long-term value creation. Case studies illustrate practical applications across supply chains, infrastructure and resource sectors.
Research
29 April 2025

Sustainable Finance Roundup September 2025: Policy, Markets, and Momentum

This month’s sustainability roundup covers Australia’s new 2035 emissions target, ASIC’s final climate disclosure guidance, and Fortescue’s revised transition plan. It also examines global developments, from ISSB reporting updates and TNFD nature disclosures to Woodside’s gas extension, rising physical climate risks, and evolving ESG policy debates shaping corporate and investor responses.
Article
20 October 2025

Sustainable development report 2025

Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
The Sustainable Development Report is a benchmark series that tracks global and national progress toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Produced annually by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and partners, it presents the SDG Index and Dashboards, offering comparable data, analysis, and trends for all UN member states.
Benchmark/series
26 June 2025

The Real Tragedy of the Horizon

Mark Carney’s “tragedy of the horizon” warned that markets would act too late on climate risks. A decade later, this article argues that framing climate change as a financial risk has misdirected efforts—what’s needed now is coordinated action to create investable markets, especially in emerging economies.
Article
13 October 2025

ESG: A panacea for market power?

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
This paper, “ESG: A Panacea for Market Power?” by Philip Bond and Doron Levit (2024), examines how firms’ social (“S”) ESG policies affect market competition. It finds that moderate ESG actions such as fairer treatment of workers or customers can reduce market power and improve welfare, while overly aggressive policies harm both firms and stakeholders. The authors show that competition in ESG policies among socially minded firms can deliver efficient, welfare-maximising outcomes, linking ESG adoption to market structure, corporate governance models, and executive incentives.
Research
4 April 2023

Impact-linked finance: Learning from eight years and ideas for the future

Roots of Impact
This report by Roots of Impact (2024) reviews eight years of experience implementing Impact-Linked Finance (ILF), a structuring approach that rewards measurable social or environmental outcomes by linking financial terms to impact performance. It outlines ILF’s evolution, design principles, effectiveness benchmarks, and opportunities to scale through collaboration and new impact-linked instruments.
Research
24 June 2024

European Finance Association

Academic Institutions
European Finance Association (EFA) is an international non-profit professional body for finance academics and practitioners. EFA brings together over 2,500 members globally. It organises annual conferences, doctoral events, and publishes the peer-reviewed Review of Finance journal.
Organisation
1 research item

Oxford university press

Academic Institutions
Oxford University Press (OUP) is a global academic and educational publisher. It operates as a department of the University of Oxford, producing textbooks, scholarly works, English language resources and reference works. OUP emphasises digital innovation, sustainability commitments, and broad international reach in research and education.
Organisation
1 research item

How the concept of “Regenerative Good Growth” could help increase public and policy engagement and speed transitions to Net Zero and nature recovery

MDPI
The report introduces the concept of Regenerative Good Growth (RGG) as an alternative to extractive GDP-focused models. It argues that economic progress should regenerate five renewable capitals, natural, social, human, cultural, and sustainable physical, while ensuring fairness, engagement, and reduced environmental harm. RGG promotes inclusive, low-carbon, and nature-positive transitions through diverse public participation.
Research
22 January 2025

MDPI

Academic Institutions
MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute) is a Swiss-based publisher of open access, peer-reviewed journals, established in 1996. MDPI publishes over 470 academic journals across science, technology and medicine, with authors covering article processing charges to enable unrestricted global access.
Organisation
2 research items

ESG and financial performance: Uncovering the relationship by aggregating evidence from 1,000 plus studies published between 2015 – 2020

NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business
This report summarises over 1,000 studies (2015–2020) and finds that most show a positive relationship between ESG and financial performance. ESG integration and long-term strategies tend to enhance returns and risk management, while disclosure alone has limited financial impact.
Research
2 November 2021

Rockefeller Capital Management

Commercial Research Providers
Rockefeller Capital Management (RockCo) delivers wealth management, asset management and investment banking services grounded in the Rockefeller legacy. Serving individuals, families and institutions, RockCo emphasises bespoke financial solutions, generational wealth planning and strategic advisory — combining innovation with long-standing trust.
Organisation
1 research item

Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)

Government Sponsored / Multilateral Organisations
Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI) is a Japanese policy think tank founded in 2001. RIETI conducts theoretical and empirical economic research, bridges academe and government, and offers evidence-based trade, industry and economic policy recommendations.
Organisation
1 research item

Volatile temperatures and their effects on equity returns and firm performance

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
This report summarises research on US firms’ exposure to temperature variability and its financial effects. It shows that volatile temperatures reduce profitability, affect consumer demand and labour productivity, and influence investor attention. Portfolios exposed to higher variability underperform, indicating temperature volatility is a material climate risk for firms and investors.
Research
6 December 2024

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Academic Institutions
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a global research university specialising in economics, politics, law, social policy and data science. Based in London, LSE offers undergraduate, graduate and executive degrees, and leads in social science research, public policy impact and global academic partnerships.
Organisation
2 research items
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