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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Regenerative development and design

The report explores the necessity and principles of regenerative development, aiming to create thriving living systems that evolve toward greater health and vitality. It emphasises aligning human actions with natural systems, integrating ancient wisdom with modern science, and fostering holistic, co-creative partnerships between people and the planet for sustainable and thriving futures.
Research
13 June 2024

Qualitative assessment of complex and interacting climate risks

This report highlights the limitations of solely relying on quantitative climate risk assessments and emphasises the importance of qualitative methods. It discusses complex interactions between hazards, vulnerabilities, and exposures across built, social, natural, and economic domains, advocating for systems thinking and intersectional approaches to better capture and mitigate climate risks.
Research
3 May 2024

A new economy: Exploring the root causes of the polycrisis and the principles to unlock a sustainable future

Ernst & Young (EY)
The report examines the systemic flaws of the current economic model, highlighting ecological, social, and geoeconomic crises. It proposes transitioning to a regenerative economy based on principles of sufficiency, circularity, systems thinking, equity, and redefining value to achieve sustainable and equitable growth.
Research
31 May 2024

International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)

Other Industry / Sector Specific Groups & Sponsored Organisations
The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) promotes, develops, and advocates for cooperatives globally. ICA supports sustainable economic growth through member-driven enterprises.
Organisation
1 research item

Friends of the Earth

Issue Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Friends of the Earth (FOE) is a prominent environmental organisation dedicated to advocating for sustainability and conservation. Visit them to access resources, campaigns, and initiatives aimed at addressing environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Organisation
2 research items

Environmental sciences, sustainable development and circular economy: Alternative concepts for trans-disciplinary research

This report discusses the challenges and opportunities of trans-disciplinary research in environmental sciences. It explores three alternative environmental concepts: "environmental sciences", "sustainable development", and the increasingly popular "circular economy". The article clarifies their meaning and inter-relationship, helping trans-disciplinary researchers to understand the opportunities and challenges of each.
Research
22 March 2016

Constructive corporate engagements: From a corporate perspective

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
This research focuses on constructive corporate engagement. This report analyses survey results from 100 senior company directors and interviews with ten executives to examine the drivers of successful engagements. Insights include the importance of collaborating with companies, focusing on material issues, and using standard metrics for success.
Research
8 September 2023

Five insights for avoiding global collapse: What a 50-year-old model of the world taught me about a way forward for us today

This book analyses a 50-year-old model of the world to provide five insights for avoiding global collapse. The book examines societal pressures, the role of technology, governance structures, and finance that contribute to earth's ecosystem health and sustenance.
Research
5 October 2022

A pilot study on systems thinking in asset management

Stockholm Environment Institute
This pilot study analyses systems thinking in sustainable finance from a multidimensional perspective, highlighting six key dimensions for investment and asset management to consider. The study reveals the challenges of applying such approaches in finance while emphasising the importance of understanding sustainability impacts on all levels.
Research
21 April 2023

A little less conversation, a little more action: 10 lessons learned from 10 years of helping investors to tackle climate

ISS
This report presents 10 lessons for investors on tackling climate change. Through this summary, the authors offer insights on methodologies for climate scenario analysis, the intersection of reporting and acting, an effective climate voting process, the role of regulators in transparent carbon neutral investments, among other topics.
Research
20 August 2021

Connecting the dots: Energy transition scenarios and credit quality

This report explores the implications of climate transition scenarios for the credit quality of nine companies in power utilities, cement, and steel. It shows the potential credit consequences of failing to mitigate risks and grasp opportunities associated with the low-carbon transition. The study highlights the value of granular scenario analysis for investors.
Research
8 January 2019

Measuring what matters most: Seven systems transformations for benchmarking companies on the SDGs

World Benchmarking Alliance
This report provides guidance on developing benchmarks to transform systems towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies seven critical transformations: social, agriculture and food, decarbonisation and energy, circular, digital, urban, and financial systems. These benchmarks aim to hold companies accountable and drive meaningful change across industries to support sustainable development.
Research
15 July 2019

Doughnut design for business: DEAL’s guide to redesigning businesses through doughnut economics

Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL)
This report is a guide for businesses to redesign their operations based on Doughnut Economics principles that focus on deep transformation to become regenerative and distributive. It explores transformative ideas, redesign possibilities, impacts, dependencies, and current design barriers/enablers.
Research
1 February 2024

Global assessment report on disaster risk reduction - our world at risk: Transforming governance for a resilient future

United Nations (UN)
The report explores the challenges faced in managing systemic risk, the complexity of decision-making in volatile situations and offers solutions for improving risk communication.
Research
20 July 2022

Environmental beta or how institutional investors think about climate change and fossil fuel risk

American Association of Geographers
This report examines how institutional investors think about climate change and fossil fuel risk. It finds that investors consider these issues subjectively and are primarily concerned with short-term investment horizons. The report argues that understanding investor perspectives is crucial for enhanced mechanisms both to mitigate GHG emissions and minimise climate change-related financial instability.
Research
27 February 2019

Towards financing large-scale holistic landscape restoration in Europe: Recommendations for EU policy actors to attain inspirational, social, natural and financial returns

Commonland
The report provides financing recommendations for large-scale holistic landscape restoration in Europe, addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and food and water insecurity. It emphasises the effectiveness of landscape finance in promoting healthy ecosystems, offering practical frameworks for policymakers to accelerate impactful activities and align natural and community needs for comprehensive restoration.
Research
30 November 2023
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