Discusses the potential of digital financial services (DFS) to reduce poverty and promote economic growth. Analyses DFS role in financial inclusion within households and emerging markets and developing economies. Examines constraints of regulations and frameworks and provides case studies from countries that have enabled DFS in their economy.

This report ranks the 20 largest European banks based on their response to climate change as of the 6th December 2019. The report highlights that while the European banking sector is making progress in reflecting climate-related risks, there is need for greater integration of these risks fully into strategies, processes, risk management tools and transparency.

Developed from the contributions of The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG) working group and case studies, this report aims to accelerate and scale impact investment. Split into two sections, the first explores priorities for action to drive positive impact and the second assists actors to translate the priorities into action.

This paper makes the business case for financial firms to use an internal carbon price in investment and lending practices. Drawing on stakeholder insights, this paper provides guidance on how to best implement an internal carbon price to decarbonise portfolios and increase resilience in a low-carbon transition.

Addresses new developments in financial technology (fintech) through alternative data and explains how fintech has transformed the structure of financial services. Outlines new risks to the finance industry concerning democracy, sustainability, justice and resilience. While exploring opportunities to transform fintech for good through seven principles to guide financial policymaking and regulation.

This report aims to promote strategies for including environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in investment decisions within fixed income. It provides an overview on sustainable investing in fixed income across five core areas building on research, practical experiences and a literature review to inform findings.

The report provides a high-level legal analysis of directors' duties that relate to climate risk in four major Commonwealth countries: Australia, Canada, South Africa and United Kingdom. It captures the evolving priorities of organisations and their need to provide greater transparency on climate risks.

Explores the role of corporate partnerships and financial intermediaries that can scale finance and increase capital and activities in regions that are key for the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through case studies, it illustrates various pathways for capital markets to maximise SDG investments at acceptable risk levels.

The blueprint is the final report of the Liechtenstein Initiative Financial Sector Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. The report covers goals and implementation strategies to strengthen the role of the financial sector in the global effort to end modern slavery and human trafficking, and accelerate action in line with the 2030 Agenda.

The impact of infrastructure projects on biodiversity are examined, using apes to illustrate how investors can contribute to biodiversity protection. A sustainable approach to infrastructure development, which mitigates environmental, financial and reputational risks of investment, is presented.

This investor briefing investigates the financing of the coal power industry. Highlighting that bank financing continues to facilitate active development of coal power infrastructure, particularly in developing nations, which is incompatible with the Paris Agreement. Additionally, it provides a call to action for investors to engage with their banks to strengthen coal divestment policies.

Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing and Bloomberg L.P. report highlights how sustainable investing has transformed from a given fiduciary duty into a strategic business imperative in the financial markets. Asset managers in the U.S. perceive this shifting investment landscape as a new opportunity to create increasingly competitive returns and more productive portfolios in the coming years.

Based on research conducted on the performance of nearly 11,000 mutual funds from 2004 to 2018, Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investment finds no statistically significant difference in returns between sustainable funds and traditional funds. However, sustainable funds demonstrated 20% lower downside risk than traditional funds.

This paper shares key ESG integration trends that Russell Investments has found in the fixed income market. It is based off observations derived from their 2019 Annual ESG Manager Survey and discussions with fixed income market practitioners looking at ESG considerations and implementations in their investment process.

This report introduces the Sustainability-Linked Bond (SLB) Principles and provides guidelines for structural features, disclosure and reporting, to bring integrity into the SLB market. The guide is intended for market participants and designed to drive the provision of information to increase capital allocation in these instruments.

This report is an expanded research study on a previous study conducted by Barclays. It provides deep insight into the relationship between environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and their influence on credit portfolio performance. In particular, looking at the effect of ESG on euro-denominated and US investment grade and high-yield bond markets.