Library | ESG issues
Targets & Accountability
Targets and accountability are essential for ensuring organisations and governments follow through on commitments to sustainability, climate action, and social responsibility. Setting measurable and transparent targets such as net-zero goals, emissions reductions, diversity benchmarks, and human rights protections allows for tracking progress and holding entities accountable. Clear, data-driven targets strengthen stakeholder trust and help align financial and business strategies with long-term sustainability objectives.
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Still Banking on Coal
Still Banking on Coal is a dataset by Urgewald that tracks global bank financing for the thermal coal industry. It provides transparency on loans and underwriting from over 740 banks, highlighting the gap between climate commitments and actual financial flows.
SBTN Corporate Case Studies Library
A collection of practical case studies detailing how leading companies apply the Science Based Targets Network framework to set science-based targets for nature, land, and freshwater.
Voluntary Corporate Climate Targets in a Patchwork Policy Landscape
The Salata Institute Corporate Climate Targets Database tracks voluntary emission commitments from Russell 3000 firms (2000-2024), documenting how corporate goals interact with public policy.
Net Zero Glossary
The Net Zero Glossary, developed by The Chancery Lane Project, provides standardised definitions for climate-aligned legal drafting. It helps finance and legal professionals ensure that contractual language accurately reflects decarbonisation commitments and net zero targets across international jurisdictions.
Closing the gaps in the Global Biodiversity Framework implementation: Investor actions and policy recommendations
This report analyses actions by over 800 investors to address nature and biodiversity risk. It highlights progress in corporate engagement and disclosure while identifying critical policy gaps. Six key government actions are recommended to accelerate private sector contributions toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets.
CEAOB technical advice standard for limited assurance on sustainability reporting
The CEAOB provides technical advice on EU-specific modifications to ISSA 5000 for limited assurance on sustainability reporting. It integrates requirements for ESRS, Taxonomy Regulation, and ESEF, effective from December 2027. Key focus areas include joint assurance, statutory auditor communication, and digital marking up procedures.
Poverty in Scotland 2026
This report analyses poverty in Scotland, revealing that 17% of people live in poverty. It highlights missed reduction targets, particularly for children, and argues for radical local government reform. The research emphasises the need for stable funding and improved public communication to effectively address deepening economic hardship.
Integrating climate into corporate finance: Global evidence on internal carbon pricing
This report analyses the determinants and effectiveness of internal carbon pricing (ICP) globally. It finds that smaller boards and science-based targets drive higher pricing. While ICP adoption reduces short-term profitability due to capital reallocation, it successfully slows emission growth, even as absolute emissions remain linked to production.
IPSASB SRS 1, Climate-related disclosures
This IPSASB standard establishes principles for public sector entities to disclose climate-related risks and opportunities. Aligned with IFRS S2, it mandates disclosures regarding governance, strategy, risk management, and performance metrics. The standard prioritises accountability for long-term fiscal sustainability and service delivery, with an effective date of 1 January 2028.
Measuring what matters: A practical framework to integrate health into urban climate action
This report introduces a practical framework for integrating health co-benefits into urban climate monitoring. It details a five-step process for selecting robust indicators across air pollution, active travel, and sustainable diets. The framework helps cities justify climate policies, enhance accountability, and strengthen public support through evidence-based decision-making.
Beyond sovereignty: Nationally led crisis response in East Africa
This report examines the transition towards nationally led crisis response in East Africa. It identifies barriers within international aid structures while highlighting progress in sub-national governance, social protection, and civil society. Recommendations focus on strengthening state accountability and equitable partnerships across Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Crosswalking SBTN freshwater requirements with CSRD water disclosures
This report compares the SBTN freshwater framework with EU CSRD and ESRS requirements. It identifies areas of alignment, such as materiality assessments and basin-level analysis, while highlighting differences in scope. SBTN provides the scientific foundation for setting targets that support mandatory reporting obligations under European standards.
The business case for science-based targets: Corporate insights on the value of science-based targets for nature
This report examines the strategic value of science-based targets for nature. Drawing on insights from early adopters across diverse sectors, it identifies six key business benefits, including protected revenue and enhanced credibility. It outlines a structured approach for organisations to manage environmental impacts while future-proofing operations against regulatory shifts.
The Box: syndication fee league tables
This benchmark series provides transparency on bank syndication fees, comparing income from sustainable and unsustainable activities. It tracks league tables for global and regional financial institutions, including the ASEAN and Japanese markets. The analysis enables investors to incentivise behavioural change by identifying banks that continue to prioritise fossil fuel financing.
Upgrading financial markets
This field experiment in rural Sierra Leone evaluates upgrading Village Savings and Loan Associations into digital financial service agents. While infrastructure expands access, introducing consumer feedback mechanisms significantly improves service quality, transaction usage, and household shock mitigation. Results demonstrate that accountability is essential for developing functional, scalable financial markets.
Corporate Climate Targets Database and Dashboard
A longitudinal database tracking voluntary climate commitments and greenhouse gas targets for U.S. public companies in the Russell 3000 index from 2000 to 2024.
