Library | Sustainable Finance Practices
Fixing financial and economic systems
Resources aimed at transforming financial and economic systems to prioritise human well-being, equity, and environmental sustainability. These resources include tools, networks, and guidance on systemic changes such as systems thinking, degrowth, green growth, doughnut economics, decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, and adhering to limits to growth.
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Carbon accounting FAQs - August 2023
This FAQ guide by CA ANZ outlines key carbon accounting concepts, including emissions measurement, net zero versus carbon neutral, carbon markets, and related financial and ethical considerations. It supports finance professionals with evolving standards, regulatory requirements, and practical guidance for managing climate-related data and assurance services using science-based methodologies.
The root cause of nature loss: Forests, why they matter, and how to assess deforestation risk in investment portfolios through nature-related data
This report outlines how deforestation, particularly in tropical forests, is a key driver of biodiversity loss and climate change. It presents the risks to institutional investors—physical, transition, and systemic—and offers a framework to assess deforestation exposure in portfolios using nature-related data and metrics across sectors and geographies..
How just transition can help deliver the Paris Agreement
This report outlines how embedding just transition principles in climate strategies supports equitable decarbonisation. It presents trends, case studies, and a UNDP framework guiding countries to integrate socio-economic considerations into their Nationally Determined Contributions and Long-Term Strategies, promoting inclusive, sustainable development in line with the Paris Agreement.
The imperative for impact management: Clarifying the relationship between impacts, system-wide risk and materiality
The report argues that managing environmental and social impacts is essential for sustainable financial performance. It connects impacts to both entity-specific and system-wide risks, urging enterprises, investors, and policymakers to adopt a unified, evidence-based impact management approach aligned with global sustainability goals and evolving disclosure standards.
Financing Africa's low carbon green economy transition: Africa's climate finance needs
This report outlines how African states must spend at least US$2.5tn by 2030 to meet climate commitments. It shows that emission reduction makes up close to 80% of spending, with plans for adaptation to climate change costed at US$418 billion.
Reconsidering the macroeconomic damage of severe warming
This study finds that accounting for global weather conditions significantly increases projected macroeconomic damage from climate change. Global GDP losses by 2100 may rise from ~11% to ~40% under high emissions. Incorporating global effects also reduces the optimal warming threshold from 2.7°C to 1.7°C, aligning with Paris Agreement targets.
Landing the economic case for climate action with decision makers
The report outlines strategies to better communicate the economic rationale for climate action to decision makers. It examines barriers, including limited capacity and political constraints, and recommends clearer economic framing, stronger narratives, and alignment with national development goals to drive engagement and support for climate policies.
Closing the gap: Investing in natural capital to meet the SDGs
The report analyses the investment required to address the natural capital gap for achieving Sustainable Development Goals in 40 countries, finding that investing US$7.4 trillion could generate returns exceeding US$152 trillion, greatly benefiting air quality, human health, ecosystems, and reducing premature deaths and resource depletion globally.
Conservation investment blueprint: Environmental impact bond for green infrastructure
This blueprint details the application of Environmental Impact Bonds (EIBs) to finance green infrastructure projects. It illustrates how EIBs can be used to attract private investment to public infrastructure projects that offer significant environmental benefits, such as enhanced stormwater management and increased urban resilience. The document provides a framework for structuring these bonds to ensure both financial returns and positive environmental outcomes.
GSG Impact
GSG Impact is an organisation dedicated to integrating impact considerations into all investment, business, and government spending decisions. Operating in over 50 countries, it collaborates with leaders, investors, governments, regulators, and social innovators to enhance societal and environmental outcomes. Key focus areas include mobilising private capital for public good, ensuring impact transparency and integrity, and building impact economies globally.
Natural capital and organizations strategies: An overview of available tools
This guide outlines a variety of tools and methodologies designed to help companies integrate natural capital considerations into their business decision-making processes. It provides detailed descriptions of different tools, case studies, and practical examples, enabling businesses to assess their environmental impacts, dependencies, and opportunities. The guide aims to promote sustainable business practices by highlighting the importance of valuing natural capital.
Guidelines for blue finance: Guidance for financing the blue economy, building on the Green Bond Principles and the Green Loan Principles
This guidance document aims to provide a list of eligible use of proceeds to support private investments aligned with the Green Bond Principles and Green Loan Principles and contributing to Goals 6 and 14 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals — “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all,” and “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” This document identifies eligible blue project categories to guide IFC’s investments to support the blue economy, in line with the Green Bond Principles and Green Loan Principles.
Pensions in the age of artificial intelligence
The report explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can address challenges in global pension systems. It highlights AI's potential to enhance governance, personalisation, fraud prevention, and investment strategies while emphasising ethical implementation and data privacy considerations to optimise retirement outcomes and ensure system sustainability.
Financing for regenerative agriculture
This report outlines the urgent need to shift from conventional agricultural practices to regenerative agriculture to address the significant negative impacts of current agrifood systems. It provides a detailed analysis of the funding gaps, investment opportunities, and the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning to regenerative practices.
Harnessing digital finance for sustainability: An integrative review and research agenda
The report reviews the role of digital finance in advancing sustainability goals through bibliometric and thematic analysis of 168 studies. It identifies key themes like financial inclusion, green finance, and fintech, proposing a conceptual framework to align digital innovation with sustainable development, fostering eco-friendly investments, and promoting global financial inclusion.
Infrastructure tokenization: Does blockchain have a role in the financing of infrastructure?
The report explores the potential of blockchain technology in financing infrastructure projects. It evaluates blockchain's capabilities in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in infrastructure tokenisation, while addressing challenges like regulatory constraints, market adoption, and technical barriers. The findings highlight both opportunities and limitations for integrating blockchain into infrastructure financing.