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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Indigenous investment principles

Indigenous Business Australia
This investment framework is for Indigenous organisations with accumulated capital. It outlines principles that empower local organisations to take control of their financial assets. It guides thinking about the purpose, governance and investment of financial resources to better protect interests for current and future generations, particularly for culture and heritage.
Research
31 December 2015

Universal circular economy policy goals: Enabling the transition to scale

Ellen MacArthur Foundation
As industries and governments move towards the circular economy, clear and aligned direction is needed for a rapid transition to scale. This paper proposes five universal policy goals that can help governments build healthier economic recoveries and lower the costs of transition for businesses across sectors.
Research
3 February 2021

Unlocking Australia's sustainable finance potential

University of Technology Sydney
Recommendations on actions by Australian Government and finance sector for unlocking the potential of sustainable finance in Australia. The basis of these recommendations are the European Union's Action Plan on sustainable finance that was adopted by the European Commission in March 2018 and the likelihood of their success in Australia.
Research
13 June 2019

Relationship-to-profit: A theory of business, markets, and profit for social ecological economics

Stockholm University
Supporting post-growth transformation, this doctoral thesis posits a new theory: relationship-to-profit theory. This explains the social and ecological implications of how businesses relate to profit, and argues that for economies to be sustainable businesses and markets should treat profit as a means rather than an end-in-itself.
Research
19 January 2021

Hitting the sweet spot: The investment case for solutions to childhood obesity

ShareAction
This report discusses the growing cost to society posed by rising rates of obesity in children and adults. It identifies risks and opportunities for investors created by shifting trends in the food and beverage markets, driven by evolving consumer demands and regulatory changes.
Research
31 May 2019

The future of tobacco stocks: a scenario analysis

Maastricht University School of Business and Economics
This report identifies drivers of change within the tobacco industry and the potential risk factors that may arise as a result. The report conducts a scenario analysis that maps out three potential outcomes for the industry and the relative impact on the share price of the world’s largest tobacco companies.
Research
31 July 2018

Internal carbon pricing for low-carbon finance: A briefing paper on linking climate-related opportunities and risks to financing decisions for investors and banks

CDP
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.
Research
31 July 2019

Lifting the lid on fintech: What does new technology mean for a financial system that serves people and planet?

The Finance Innovation Lab
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.
Research
1 December 2020

Financial inclusion: What have we learned so far? What do we have to learn?

International Monetary Fund
Introduces financial inclusion as a dimension of financial development by presenting main findings and key insights from a micro and macroeconomic standpoint. Examines trends and provides insights into the effects of financial inclusion initiatives on the economy with a focus on household and micro, small and medium-sized (MSMEs) enterprise outcomes.
Research
7 August 2020

The European commission action plan: Financing sustainable growth

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
The report provides an explanation of the ten reform areas included in the European Commission Action Plan (2018), as well as possible impacts for investors. Four of these actions: taxonomy, disclosure and duties, benchmarks and investment advice were submitted as regulatory proposals to the European Parliament in 2018.

Research
31 July 2018

In pursuit of deep impact and market-rate returns: KL Felicitas Foundation's journey

New Philanthropy Capital
The report is an update of NPC’s 2015 review of the KL Felicitas Foundation, Investing for impact: Practical tools, lessons, and results. It explores how the KL Felicitas Foundation’s impact investing portfolio balances social impact with financial return.
Research
30 April 2018

Measuring the economic impact of short-termism

McKinsey Global Institute
Measures corporate long- and short-termism systematically. Assesses and quantifies the effects of each approach on corporate financial performance and microeconomic growth. Findings show that long-term approaches outperform short-term companies on key economic and financial metrics.
Research
28 February 2017

Scaling finance for the Sustainable Development Goals

United Nations Global Compact
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.
Research
29 October 2019

A blueprint for mobilizing finance against slavery and trafficking

Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAST)
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.
Research
27 September 2019

The Tobacco Report: How divesting from tobacco affected returns over 20 years

Genus Capital Management
This report discusses the investment performance of investment portfolios containing tobacco companies and those that excluded tobacco companies. The research concludes that there was no statistically different performance between portfolios that included and excluded tobacco companies over the last 20 years.
Research
28 February 2019

The dialogue: The impact of climate change on mortality and retirement incomes in Australia

Institute of Actuaries of Australia
This report analyses climate change risks to Australians’ health and finances to understand the implications climate change poses to insurers, pension providers and policy-makers. Finding that bushfires, heatwaves and infectious illnesses pose risks to human health and finances resulting in higher mortality, lower superannuation balances and lower retirement incomes.
Research
30 September 2019
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