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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Insurance regulation for sustainable development: Protecting human rights against climate risks and natural hazards

Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
This report argues that insurance regulation has a critical role to play in protecting human rights against climate risk and natural hazards. Among its recommendations, the report calls for the proper pricing of climate risks, broader coverage from insurance, and the alignment of investments with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Research
4 July 2015

FERC's failure to analyze energy market forces: Risks to ratepayers, landowners and the overall economy

Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
This report shows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is failing to analyse vital energy market forces that should underpin assessment of new interstate gas pipelines. The research shows FERC’s decisions regarding these pipelines can impose unjustified costs on captive customers in the form of expensive and long-term contracts, and harm landowners and the wider economy.
Research
16 December 2020

The Ramsey discounting formula for a hidden-state stochastic growth process

The paper highlights how the choice of an appropriate discount rate is a critical issue in economics, and arguably more so for projects involving long time horizons. In particular, environmental projects and activities whose effects will be felt in the future pose significant challenges. The paper models such challenges as an evolving hidden-state stochastic process.
Research
7 June 2012

The material footprint of nations

This research paper explores consumption-based indicators of resource use, asserting that developed countries have increased the use of natural resources at a slower rate than economic growth, but this is untrue. Material Footprint (MF) uncovers the full material requirements of nations, offering insights into actual resource productivity.
Research
19 May 2015

Transition risks in the automotive sector

Kepler Cheuvreux
This report analyses the potential valuation of BMW, Daimler, and Volkswagen under two different climate change scenarios and pathways. The study reveals insights for equity analysis and company engagement with sensitivity to regional and technological factors. Authors present a warning not to see findings as investment recommendations or forecast.
Research
2 August 2018

Beyond diversity: Equity and inclusion as an overlooked opportunity for investors

Regnan
This research identifies diversity, equity, and inclusion as instruments for creating stronger business performance and highlights the potential opportunity cost incurred by businesses and investors that overlook the possibility of equity and inclusion deficits.
Research
27 July 2021

The importance of resource security for poverty eradication

This report analyses the impact of resource scarcity on national economies and poverty. It found that 72% of the world’s population live in countries with biocapacity deficits and below-average income, creating an ecological poverty trap. Biological resource security is crucial for development success.
Research
26 April 2021

Rethinking impact to finance the SDGs

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
This paper examines the financing gap for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and proposes new innovative solutions for stakeholders, including the need for stronger integrated planning, strategic thinking and policy integration to meet the US$5-7tn annual financing requirement.
Research
8 November 2018

A4S essential guide to incentivizing action along the value chain

Accounting for Sustainability (A4S)
This is a practical guide for finance teams to collaborate with their value chains and promote sustainability. The guide delves into mapping the value chain, prioritising areas of action, incentivising action, and provides useful tips, resources, and a checklist.
Research
21 September 2022

Nature risk rising: Why the crisis engulfing nature matters for business and the economy

World Economic Forum
This report is for policymakers, companies, investors and civil societies seeking to address the growing nature crisis, as it provides the economic and social impact of biodiversity on businesses. The report also calls for a change in policies and practices that drive current growth models.
Research
17 January 2020

The biomass blind spot

ShareAction
This report highlights the financial and reputational risks associated with the biomass power sector's impact on climate change. The report provides recommendations for investors and banks engaged with the sector, including not providing financial support for new biomass power infrastructure.

Research
7 February 2019

Reinventing capitalism: A transformation agenda

World Business Council for Sustainable Development
This issue brief by World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) explores the need for a reinvented capitalism that prioritises true value over value extraction. It examines the unsustainable outcomes of contemporary capitalism and presents a transformation agenda to help steer businesses towards a sustainable global economy.
Research
10 November 2020

A pilot study on systems thinking in asset management

Stockholm Environment Institute
This pilot study analyses systems thinking in sustainable finance from a multidimensional perspective, highlighting six key dimensions for investment and asset management to consider. The study reveals the challenges of applying such approaches in finance while emphasising the importance of understanding sustainability impacts on all levels.
Research
21 April 2023

Retiring oil and gas assets will have long-term financial and environmental impacts

Sustainable Fitch
Ageing oil and gas assets will have significant long-term financial and environmental impacts, with decommissioning costs rising steadily in coming decades. Asset retirement obligations could reach US$42 billion by 2024, posing considerable financial, logistical, and environmental challenges given limited financial assurance requirements, regulatory loopholes, and the complexity of decommissioning.
Research
13 January 2023

The third, systems stage of corporate governance: Why institutional investors need to move beyond modern portfolio theory

The authors of this paper argue that institutional investors need to move beyond Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), and consider a wider risk management strategy. The paper outlines the potential failings of MPT and suggests ways for institutional investors to better align with the needs of society and the economy.
Research
1 February 2018

Prosperity without growth: The transition to a sustainable economy

The authors of this report argue that society's pursuit of economic growth has been detrimental to the environment and economic sustainability. The report challenges traditional thinking around the benefits of growth and argues for a new macro-economics for sustainability.
Research
27 March 2009
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