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
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).
FERC's failure to analyze energy market forces: Risks to ratepayers, landowners and the overall economy
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.
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.
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.
Transition risks in the automotive sector
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.
Beyond diversity: Equity and inclusion as an overlooked opportunity for investors
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.
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.
Rethinking impact to finance the SDGs
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.
A4S essential guide to incentivizing action along the value chain
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.
Nature risk rising: Why the crisis engulfing nature matters for business and the economy
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.
The biomass blind spot
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.
Reinventing capitalism: A transformation agenda
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.
A pilot study on systems thinking in asset management
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.
Retiring oil and gas assets will have long-term financial and environmental impacts
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.
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.
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.