Library | ESG issues
Weapons & Armaments
Weapons are objects designed to injure, kill, or defeat, while armaments refer to military weapons and equipment. They are controversial due to their potential to harm civilians, fuel armed conflicts, and contribute to global instability. Certain weapons, such as cluster munitions and nuclear arms, face international divestment efforts due to long-term humanitarian and environmental consequences. Many investors exclude companies involved in weapons production, arms exports, or dealings with oppressive regimes due to ethical, legal, and reputational concerns.
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Faire Fonds Database
The Faire Fonds Database is a screening tool from Facing Finance and urgewald that analyses thousands of retail funds for controversial holdings. It identifies exposure to sectors like fossil fuels and weapons while highlighting potential greenwashing in ESG-labelled products.
Trends in world military expenditure series
A benchmark series by SIPRI tracking annual global military expenditure across countries and regions. Published as an annual fact sheet, it provides data on spending levels, military burdens as a share of GDP, and decade-long trends to support evidence-based analysis of defence economics worldwide.
Weapons, dual use tech and financial institutions
This Shift briefing examines how financial institutions should approach human rights due diligence in relation to weapons and dual-use technologies. It identifies four key challenges, six anchors grounded in international humanitarian law, and six practical approaches to support responsible defence-related lending and investment decisions.
SIPRI Military Expenditure Database
SIPRI's open-access database providing annual military expenditure data for countries worldwide from 1949 to 2025, across multiple metrics.
Investing in the arms race: The companies building nuclear weapons and their financiers
This report analyses 25 companies producing nuclear weapons and their financial backers. Highlighting over $1 trillion in total investments and financing from 301 institutions, it urges the financial sector to use its leverage to reject nuclear armament and make choices that benefit global security and humanity.
The growth of dual-use by design research in Europe: Export control risks and challenges
This report explores how increased funding for 'dual-use by design' research in Europe blurs the line between civilian and military ecosystems. It highlights proliferation risks and identifies challenges for export controls, arguing for a broader, integrated governance framework to safeguard international research collaboration and security.
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICANW)
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is a global civil society coalition working to eliminate nuclear weapons. ICAN leads advocacy for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, produces policy research, and supports disarmament campaigns worldwide, engaging governments, UN institutions, partners across regions, and multilateral policy forums.
Notice on the application of the sustainable finance framework and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive to the defence sector
The European Commission clarifies that the EU sustainable finance framework and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive apply neutrally to the defence sector. Defence investments are permitted, assessed case by case, with disclosure and due diligence obligations focused on risk mitigation and exclusion limited to internationally prohibited weapons.
Arms availability and the situation of civilians in armed conflict: A study presented by the ICRC
The ICRC study finds that widespread availability of small arms intensifies civilian harm in armed conflict. Drawing on field data, case studies and staff surveys, it links unregulated arms flows to higher civilian casualties, humanitarian access constraints and weakened compliance with international humanitarian law.
Responsible business conduct in the arms sector: Ensuring business practice in line with the UN guiding principles on business and human rights
The UN Working Group reviews arms sector regulation, finding persistent exports linked to humanitarian and human rights law violations. It identifies weak political will, opaque oversight and limited human rights due diligence, and urges stronger application of the UN Guiding Principles by states and companies.
Towards sustainability position on defence investments
The report sets a pragmatic policy on defence investments for Towards Sustainability-labelled funds, permitting defensive, non-lethal and dual-use activities with strict ESG due diligence, while excluding weapons producers. It affirms defence funding as primarily a government responsibility.
Commission unveils the white paper for european defence and the rearm europe plan readiness 2030
The report outlines the EU’s White Paper on European Defence and the ReArm Europe Plan, targeting defence readiness by 2030 through closing capability gaps, strengthening the defence industrial base, and mobilising over €800 billion via public, EU, and private funding mechanisms.
BPI France: European Defence Bond Framework
Bpifrance’s European Defence Bond Framework defines principles for issuing use-of-proceeds bonds financing eligible defence-sector projects, mainly SMEs, to support European sovereignty. It details eligibility criteria, exclusions, ESG safeguards, governance, reporting, and proceeds management, while stating the bonds are not ICMA-aligned sustainable instruments.
Mapping the international presence of the world's largest arms companies
SIPRI maps the global footprint of the 15 largest arms companies, identifying 400 majority-owned foreign entities. International presence aligns with geopolitical ties and major arms markets. US and European firms dominate; Chinese and Russian companies show limited overseas reach.
Agreement on international responsible investment in the insurance sector: ESG investment framework for the theme: Controversial weapons and the trade in weapons with high-risk countries
The framework guides insurers in managing ESG risks from controversial weapons and weapons trade with high-risk countries. It outlines international standards, investment screening criteria and due diligence processes, including risk assessment, voting, engagement and exclusion. It also provides guidance on monitoring, accountability and public reporting.
Responsible investing in defence, security and resilience
The NATO Innovation Fund advocates removing financial exclusions on defence to bolster European security. The report recommends reforming procurement for rapid dual-use technology adoption and implementing a ‘Responsible Use Framework’ to ensure ethical development of emerging capabilities like AI and autonomous systems.
