Library | Sustainable Finance Practices
ESG strategy, analysis and integration
Tools and methodologies for embedding ESG considerations into investment strategy, analysis and decision-making, credit analysis, and insurance underwriting. These include applying different approaches, including positive and negative screening, ESG analysis and asset allocation.
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ESG investing in emerging markets – a roadmap towards net-zero
This report discusses the challenges in ESG investing for emerging markets due to varying standards in regulations and reporting. It also covers the importance of sovereign engagement and incorporating biodiversity in investment decisions. The lack of standardisation in data and regulation presents difficulties in generating sustainable investments.
The elephant in the room: Aligning global bonds markets with climate goals
The global bond market is crucial for the achievement of the Paris Agreement's climate goals. This report analyses the alignment of corporate bonds with these goals while identifying challenges and proposing potential solutions, including the use of asset-level data and revaluation of benchmarks.
Do high-ability managers choose ESG projects that create shareholder value? Evidence from employee opinions
Are ESG projects compatible with shareholder value? Managers face a challenge when they decide which ESG projects to select with limited clarity on allowed investments. The paper uses MSCI ESG ratings and Glassdoor employee ratings to demonstrate that high-calibre managers put their resources towards ESG projects and thereby enhance shareholder value.
Sovereign bonds: Spotlight on ESG risks
This report explores the use of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) analysis as a potential risk-reducing and return-enhancing tool for investors in developed-country sovereign bonds. The report suggests that ESG factors are material to both creditworthiness and investment performance.
Investor toolkit on human rights
This toolkit provides practical guidance for institutional investors to assess and address human rights risks within investment activities. With tools, case studies and standard-setting activities, this investor toolkit encourages proactive management of human rights risks.
Investing with SDG outcomes: A five-part framework
This report outlines a five-part framework for investors to align their investments with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It includes incorporating ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making, being active owners, promoting acceptance of the framework, and reporting on progress.
Investing for the common good: A sustainable finance framework
This essay provides a framework for sustainable finance. The author argues that sustainable finance considers financial, social, and environmental returns in combination and develops guidelines for governing sustainable finance. Major obstacles are short-termism and insufficient private efforts.
Do investors care about impact?
Investors care about sustainable investments, but not enough to pay substantially more for more impact. A framed field experiment revealed investors’ preference was an emotional rather than a calculative valuation of impact. This preference is driving the market, as managers provide little quantitative evidence of sustainability impact, according to the report.
Definitions for responsible investment approaches
This report provides definitions for different responsible investment approaches - Screening, ESG Integration, Thematic Investing, Stewardship, and Impact Investing. It aims to standardise terminology, enabling investors to communicate their responsible investment practices with clarity, consistency, and confidence.
Mobilizing money and movements: Creative finance for food systems transformations
This report explores creative financing strategies for transforming food systems. Through six case studies, it showcases levers of change for transformational investing, including blended finance, shared ownership, and diverse investment types. The report emphasizes community engagement and local food production to build sustainable and resilient food systems.
Looking for something that isn’t there: A case study of an early attempt at ESG integration in investment decision making
This report explores the challenges of incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues into investment analysis and decision-making. Through a case study of an early attempt at ESG integration in an equity investment team, the authors highlight fundamental discontinuities between financial and ESG accounting inscriptions, and question the adequacy of current regulatory efforts.
The impact of climate change on the UK insurance sector: A climate change adaptation report by the Prudential Regulation Authority
The report warns insurance companies to prepare for the physical, transition and liability risks related to climate change. It provides a comprehensive review of how to manage future implications from climate change on financial stability and insurance.
Renewables and business: Cutting prices and pollution
This report shows how investment in renewable energy can reduce exposure to volatile electricity prices and future price hikes. Over 46,000 businesses have already invested in large solar installations, and 40% of businesses are considering similar initiatives. Local and State Governments are also supporting business investment in clean, affordable and reliable renewable energy.
Beyond diversity: Equity and inclusion as an overlooked opportunity for investors
This report argues that equity and inclusion, rather than diversity alone, are key drivers of business performance. It outlines organisational practices and leadership behaviours that foster inclusion, enabling diverse talent to contribute fully. Investors are encouraged to prioritise structural inclusion metrics over representational data for meaningful performance insights.
Guidance and case studies for ESG integration: Equities and fixed income
The CFA Institute and Principles for Responsible Investment commissioned a survey on ESG integration, revealing that 56% of investors integrate governance into their equity analysis. Analysts may engage in ESG in fixed-income analysis to evaluate the risks and value of assets. ESG issues help investors arrive at estimates of fair stock value.
Central banking and supervision in the biosphere: An agenda for action on biodiversity loss, financial risk and system stability
This report explores the role central banks and financial regulators can play to mitigate biodiversity loss risks. The report establishes that biodiversity loss poses a financial risk to the economy and makes recommendations for action.