Library | Sustainable Finance Practices
ESG Integration and analysis
Tools, methodologies, and frameworks for embedding ESG factors into financial analysis, valuation, credit assessment, underwriting, and portfolio management, while separating out broader strategic elements.
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Navigating towards water resilience: An introductory guide for central bankers, financial supervisors and regulators
This WWF Greening Financial Regulation Initiative guide introduces central banks, financial supervisors and regulators to the financial risks posed by the global water crisis. It covers physical, transition and systemic risks, emerging responses from the financial sector, available assessment tools, and policy recommendations for integrating water risks into supervisory frameworks.
Potential business cases in measuring biodiversity state and impact in agriculture
A joint Mistra FinBio and Svensk Kolinlagring report identifying three business cases linking biodiversity data to agricultural finance: baseline databanks for bank and insurance risk assessment, and an MRV system for biodiversity claims. It highlights the financing gap in regenerative agriculture and outlines potential biodiversity-linked financial products.
Credible climate financing and fossil fuel phase-out commitments are possible but remain marginal amongst major financial institutions
WBA's analysis of 400 major financial institutions finds that transition planning is emerging but capital allocation to low-carbon solutions and fossil fuel phase-out commitments remain marginal. Only two institutions demonstrate robust fossil-fuel restrictions, and low-carbon activities account for an average of just 2.7% of total financed activities globally.
State of the Sustainability Profession 2026
The 2026 State of the Sustainability Profession report by Trellis Group surveys more than 500 professionals at companies with at least $1 billion in revenue. Most large businesses are maintaining sustainability commitments despite political headwinds, though investment has slowed, communications are being scaled back and professionals report growing dissatisfaction.
Measuring the impact of data centers in the United States economy: Monetary damage from air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
This NBER working paper quantifies the environmental costs of US data centre electricity use in 2025. Using facility-level data for approximately 2,800 data centres, it estimates gross external damages of $24.6 billion from air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, with Texas and Virginia accounting for 30% of the national total.
DAX-AEX Futureproof Index Report
The DAX-AEX Futureproof Index Report is a benchmark series that ranks DAX and AEX-listed companies using an Integrated Value framework combining financial, social, and ecological value. It produces a Futureproofing Ratio to assess long-term corporate value creation and transition risk across sectors and economies.
Global Project Tracker
MPP's Global Project Tracker maps the global pipeline of commercial-scale, net-zero-aligned clean industrial plants across materials, chemicals and fuels sectors.
Social performance measurement: Practical insights and tips for financial institutions
This report by Shift distils insights from practitioner clinics for financial institutions on social performance measurement. It identifies key challenges and misperceptions, and provides eight practical tips for building more effective human rights due diligence measurement approaches, covering HRDD maturity assessment, theory of change, and quantification at scale.
Beyond the parcel: Unlocking risk assessment of complex infrastructure assets
This First Street report applies climate risk modelling to five infrastructure asset types — airports, residential developments, rail networks, transmission lines, and toll roads — demonstrating how localised physical hazards translate into material revenue losses and operational downtime, and why traditional parcel-based risk tools are inadequate for complex infrastructure.
Applying planetary boundaries: Effective risk management and value creation
This report examines how the Planetary Boundaries Framework translates nine critical global processes into material risks and value creation opportunities for investors and corporates. Seven of nine boundaries have already been breached. Tools, frameworks, and an investor engagement plan are outlined to support Earth-system-aligned capital allocation and long-term value creation.
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.
Community engagement, nature and financial materiality: An evidence review on the financial effects of engagement with indigenous peoples and local communities on nature-related issues
This Shift report reviews the financial effects of corporate engagement with Indigenous Peoples and local communities on nature-related issues. Drawing on over 1,200 cases and approximately 40 publications, it finds that engagement quality is financially material, with poor engagement linked to significant operational, legal, and reputational costs.
Ranking digital rights: The 2025 big tech edition
The 2025 RDR Index Big Tech Edition ranks 14 major technology companies on governance, freedom of expression, and privacy. Microsoft leads overall with 50%, followed by Alphabet at 49% and Meta at 47%. Scores are also assessed across eight thematic lenses, including algorithmic transparency, security, and targeted advertising.
Ranking digital rights: The 2026 Telco giants edition
Ranking Digital Rights' 2026 Telco Giants Edition scores 12 major telecom companies on governance, freedom of expression, and privacy. Telefónica leads overall with 57%, while Ooredoo ranks lowest at 14%. Historical data from 2017 to 2026 shows varied progress, with scores dipping in 2020 due to new indicators.
From measurement to decision: How impact valuation is changing the way leaders decide
This paper by Valuing Impact examines how 19 organisations are moving beyond sustainability measurement to use impact valuation as a decision-making tool. Covering strategy, investment, steering, operations and stakeholder engagement, it presents case studies and six practical lessons for embedding impact data alongside financial information in real business decisions.