Library | ESG issues

Systems Thinking

Systems thinking is a holistic approach to problem-solving that focuses on how different parts of a system interact and influence each other over time. It helps leaders see beyond individual components like departments, markets, or financial statements to understand the broader dynamics, feedback loops, and long-term impacts of decisions. This perspective improves risk management, strategic planning, and operational efficiency by recognising interconnected relationships rather than isolated events.

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Counting what counts: A compass of progress for people and planet

United Nations (UN)
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.
Research
13 May 2026

Market-shaping states: A new theory of public sector capacities and capabilities

UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose
This report introduces a market-shaping theory of the public sector, arguing that governments must act as proactive co-creators of public value. It presents a three-layered framework of structural capacities, organisational routines, and dynamic capabilities to help states navigate socio-technical challenges, steer innovation, and drive sustainable societal transformations.
Research
12 February 2026

Acceleration is not a strategy: A framework for directing AI towards public value before it's too late

Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
This report outlines a framework for European governments to steer artificial intelligence towards public value rather than just accelerating sector growth. It recommends implementing AI directionism by targeting high-impact uses, preparing priority sectors for adoption, curbing big tech monopolies, and ensuring the economic benefits are broadly shared.
Research
15 April 2026

Assessing the resilience of global grain supplies to compound climatic and non-climatic shocks

This research evaluates the resilience of global grain supplies to compounding climatic and non-climatic shocks. Using a bilateral trade model for 177 countries, it demonstrates that energy price spikes and extreme weather severely disrupt food systems, highlighting the need for strategic stockpiling and diversified trade agreements to ensure food security.
Research
12 May 2026

Energy security through freight electrification: A rapid response briefing note on policy options for responding to the global fuel crisis

Energy Futures Foundation
This briefing note outlines policy options to enhance Australia's fuel security through freight electrification. It recommends a phased, five-year, $3 billion programme to deploy up to 50,000 battery electric trucks, displacing one billion litres of diesel annually while leveraging private capital and implementing structural reforms.
Research
9 April 2026

Energy and AI in East Asia

International Energy Agency (IEA)
This report examines the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy in East Asia. It highlights how AI optimises renewable energy integration and grid management, whilst addressing rising data centre electricity demand. It recommends accelerating digitalisation, updating regulatory frameworks, and promoting clean energy procurement to ensure sustainable development.
Research
27 March 2026

Governance: Hard to build, easy to erode: Global trends, business implications and the role of employer and business membership organizations

International Labour Organisation (ILO)
This report analyses global governance trends from 1996 to 2024, revealing widespread stagnation and persistent risks of backsliding. It highlights the critical link between stable institutional governance, increased foreign direct investment, and the necessary role of business membership organisations in sustaining long-term policy reforms.
Research
24 April 2026

Navigating the EV transition: Barriers and tools for shifting Europe to low-carbon mobility

Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
This report examines the challenges facing the European automotive industry in transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs). It analyses shifting revenue streams, battery production costs, supply chain risks, and the need for charging infrastructure, while outlining financial tools to support adoption, research, and skills development.
Research
8 July 2025

RIAA Conference Australia 2026 - Companion Resources

Responsible investment has moved well beyond principles and pledges. Today’s challenges require practical capability and informed judgement. The RIAA Conference is a must-attend event for finance, sustainability and industry practitioners who want to focus on the key themes for responsible investment in 2026 and what implementation really looks like. Designed as an immersive, hands-on experience, the program focuses on the systems that underpin strong financial performance, and will help you understand how climate, nature, technology, governance and regulation intersect. 

These specially curated companion resources have been recommended by the conference speakers and Altiorem team.
Article
14 May 2026

Equity in principle, misalignment in practice: Adaptation finance governance in the adaptation fund and green climate fund

Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment (University of Oxford)
The report argues that adaptation finance through the Adaptation Fund and Green Climate Fund formally prioritises equity, vulnerability and country ownership, but remains constrained by voluntary funding, access barriers and project-based delivery, limiting alignment with Global South priorities.
Research
22 April 2026

Transforming the urban climate project preparation ecosystem: Emerging findings on how enhanced collaboration can deliver greater coherence, efficiency and impact

The Partnering Initiative (TPI)
The report examines weaknesses in urban climate project preparation and argues that stronger coordination between cities, financiers and support organisations could improve coherence, efficiency and project impact. It identifies structural and operational barriers and proposes collaborative reforms to strengthen climate finance delivery.
Research
5 March 2026

Physical climate risk in the United States equity market: Quantifying state–sector heterogeneity

EDHEC Climate Institute
The report presents an NGFS-aligned framework for assessing physical climate risk in U.S. equities. Using state-level GDP damage projections and sector-specific adjustments, it estimates a roughly 4.0% valuation loss for a U.S. equity benchmark under current policies, highlighting substantial variation across states and sectors.
Research
30 March 2026

Building the financial case for urban adaptation: Guidance and case studies

C40 Cities
C40 and Rebel outline how cities can structure urban adaptation projects to attract private finance, using ten case studies. Bankability depends on revenue logic, risk allocation, public de-risking, early financier engagement and credible monitoring.
Research
16 April 2026

The thematic assessment report on the interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food and health

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
IPBES assesses links between biodiversity, water, food, health and climate, finding siloed decisions worsen trade-offs. It identifies integrated governance, sustainable consumption, ecosystem restoration and finance reform as response options to support more just and sustainable outcomes.
Research
13 January 2026

Climate finance as a catalyst for peace

Research across 85 developing countries found climate finance was associated with lower resource-related conflict risk, particularly through reduced water scarcity and greater renewable energy access. The study suggests climate finance may support stability in fragile regions, with stronger effects observed where higher funding levels were directed towards adaptation and social infrastructure.
Research
10 March 2026

SAIL: Systems Aware Investing Launchpad

The Investment Integrated Project (TIIP)
SAIL (Systems Aware Investing Launchpad) is an AI-enhanced platform developed by TIIP to support institutional investors in implementing system-level investing strategies. It provides tools for strategy development, benchmarking, reporting and collaboration, helping users assess and manage systemic environmental, social and financial risks.
Online tool/database
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