Library | Sustainable Finance Practices

Active ownership

Active ownership is a component of effective stewardship. It refers to how investors influence the behaviour and practices of investee companies (and, where relevant, borrowers or policyholders) through engagement, proxy voting, and, where necessary, escalation. The aim is to improve ESG performance, foster long-term value creation, and ensure responsible business conduct at the company level.

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Sustainability preferences: The role of beliefs

The study investigates how beliefs shape investor preferences for sustainable investments. Using incentivised survey methods, it finds that investors’ expectations of financial returns are higher for ESG-rated funds when aware of their ESG rating. This study highlights the biases in unincentivised surveys and the complex motivations driving socially responsible investments, suggesting that incentivised methods may better capture true investor beliefs about ESG fund performance.
Research
12 July 2024

Global partnerships case study: Measuring and managing financial inclusion outcomes

Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)
This case study explores how Global Partnerships adopts outcomes-focused impact measurement and management (IMM) practices. It highlights the importance of tracking both development and intermediate outcomes in financial inclusion to ensure investments genuinely benefit underserved populations and achieve measurable social impact while mitigating potential risks.
Research
19 October 2024

The big three and board gender diversity: The effectiveness of shareholder voice

The report analyses how campaigns by major institutional investors significantly boosted gender diversity on corporate boards. From 2017 to 2019, these initiatives increased female directorships by encouraging firms to broaden candidate searches and reduce the focus on executive experience, indicating impactful, non-tokenistic change.
Research
25 November 2020

Community forest governance and synergies among carbon, biodiversity and livelihoods

The report examines the relationships between carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and livelihoods in tropical forest commons. It highlights the importance of local governance, particularly community management and rule-making, in achieving synergies among these benefits. The study identifies trade-offs and co-benefits across five distinct forest clusters, emphasising that effective governance plays a key role in fostering multifunctional forest landscapes.
Research
23 November 2023

Divestment and engagement: The effect of green investors on corporate carbon emissions

This report investigates whether green investors influence corporate carbon emissions by either divesting from polluters or engaging with management through stock ownership. The findings suggest green investors significantly reduce emissions through active engagement, whereas divestment strategies may counterproductively increase emissions. The report highlights private markets’ potential to address environmental issues independently of government regulation.
Research
27 January 2024

The unseen 'others': A framework for investor stewardship

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
The report introduces an analytical model that expands traditional investment management by recognising multiple stewardship relationships beyond immediate clients and beneficiaries. It advocates for enlightened stewardship that considers the broader impacts on society, the environment, and the economy, urging the integration of such perspectives into stewardship codes.
Research
12 August 2024

An introduction to responsible investment: Human rights for asset owners

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This guide by PRI summarises human rights relevance for asset owners, offering strategies for policy, governance, stewardship, and disclosure. It includes case studies, international standards, and practical resources to promote human rights in the financial system.
Research
8 January 2024

Big oil reality check: Aligned in failure

Oil Change International
Big oil and gas companies’ climate pledges lack ambition and integrity, resulting in continued exploration and extraction. They fail to align with the Paris Agreement, relying on misleading accounting and greenwashing. Immediate action from governments and investors is essential to catalyse a socially just and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels.
Research
21 May 2024

An introduction to responsible investment: Biodiversity for asset owners

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This introductory guide for asset owners explores the financial risks and opportunities associated with biodiversity loss. It explains the relevance of biodiversity to investment processes and outlines how asset owners can incorporate biodiversity considerations into their responsible investment policies, stewardship practices, and disclosures.
Research
9 April 2024

ShareAction's voting matters series

ShareAction
Voting Matters are benchmark-series reports by ShareAction evaluating the proxy voting behaviour of asset managers on environmental and social issues. This report analyses the voting patterns of major asset managers to determine their commitment to responsible investment practices.
Benchmark/series

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

Making global goals local business: A new era for responsible business

United Nations Global Compact
This report highlights the need for private sector involvement in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. It showcases the progress made so far by various companies and organisations and the role they play in building a better world through responsible business practices.
Research
17 May 2018

Who owns a company?

This speech examines the evolution of corporate governance, focusing on the shift towards shareholder primacy. It discusses the incentive problems this model creates, such as short-termism and excessive risk-taking, and their economic consequences. The speech concludes by exploring potential policy responses to mitigate these issues.
Research
29 July 2015

Women decision makers: How can more capital reach women decision makers in emerging markets?

Value For Women
This report explores the barriers preventing women fund managers from receiving capital, particularly local, diverse women. The report outlines recommendations and tools for investors to better support women decision makers.
Research
26 July 2023

Industry influence on biodiversity policy: A pilot study demonstrating industry associations’ engagement on biodiversity-related policy and regulations

InfluenceMap
This report reveals that industry associations representing key sectors and some of the largest companies in the world are lobbying to delay, dilute, and block critically needed biodiversity policy in both the EU and US. The vast majority of engagement on specific policies and regulations is oppositional, seeking to roll back, weaken, or block policy.
Research
24 October 2022
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