Library | Sustainable Finance Practices

Governance and directors’ duties

Resources addressing the specific responsibilities of boards and directors in integrating sustainability into decision-making, ensuring accountability, and promoting long-term value creation.

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Storm clouds and silver linings: Long-term investing in an age of geopolitical uncertainty

FCLTGlobal
The report explores the impact of geopolitical uncertainty on long-term investing, highlighting risks and opportunities for institutional investors. It emphasises the need for integrating geopolitical considerations into investment strategies, governance, and decision-making frameworks. The report provides practical tools for investors to assess geopolitical resilience, manage risks, and engage with stakeholders while balancing short-term pressures with long-term value creation.
Research
9 April 2024

Engaging affected stakeholders: The emerging duties of board members

World Economic Forum
This report provides guidance for corporate boards on effectively engaging stakeholders to uphold human rights. It outlines strategies for meaningful engagement, addressing stakeholder concerns, and integrating human rights considerations into corporate governance and decision-making processes.
Research
11 May 2022

Nature starter: Practical steps to integrate nature into business strategy (By CEOs, for CEOs)

NatSTART is a toolkit being developed by the Climate Leaders Coalition to support businesses to scope out and screen for nature-related risks. It is designed to support firms to integrate nature into their business strategies, starting with locating their interface with nature. It Provides guidelines for integrating biodiversity and climate considerations into business and policy decisions.
Research
29 November 2023

Implicit versus explicit contracting in executive compensation for environmental and social performance

This study analyses how explicit and implicit executive compensation schemes linked to environmental and social (ES) targets affect corporate ES performance. Explicit schemes, with measurable targets, enhance precise outcomes like emissions reduction. Implicit schemes, relying on subjective assessment, excel in areas with vague metrics, such as community engagement.
Research
15 October 2024

Screening for responsible investment in agriculture and food systems: Guidance and tools for government officials

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
This report provides guidance for government officials on screening investments in agriculture and food systems to ensure responsible practices. It outlines due diligence processes to assess investors, potential risks, and benefits while promoting sustainable development. The toolkit includes adaptable screening tools to identify responsible projects and enhance transparency in investment decisions.
Research
15 October 2024

Improving governance on nature-related risks and opportunities

Climate Governance Initiative
This brief highlights how biodiversity loss poses risks to businesses and urges company directors to integrate nature considerations into strategic planning. It assesses companies' practices using the World Benchmarking Alliance's Nature Benchmark and provides key insights for directors to manage nature-related risks and opportunities, enhancing corporate resilience in a nature-positive transition.
Research
5 March 2024

Green investing and political behavior

This study examines whether green investing reduces political support for climate regulation. Using a pre-registered experiment involving a real referendum in Switzerland, the findings suggest that climate-conscious investments do not erode support for climate policies. The study provides evidence that sustainable investing and political engagement are complementary, not substitutes.
Research
22 June 2023

Aligning financial flows with the Global Diversity Framework: Translating ambition into implementation

Finance for Biodiversity Foundation
The report advocates for governments to ensure financial flows align with biodiversity goals. It highlights the need for mandatory disclosures on nature-related risks, nature transition plans, and economic incentives to mobilise private finance for biodiversity conservation, emphasising a "whole-of-government" approach to implementation.
Research
23 April 2024

A director’s guide to mandatory climate reporting

MinterEllison
This guide covers Australia’s mandatory climate reporting, requiring large entities to disclose climate risks and opportunities from January 2025. It provides directors with practical steps for compliance, focusing on governance, strategy, and risk management, and encourages proactive engagement to build long-term organisational resilience.
Research
26 September 2024

Turning strategy into reality: ESG implementation challenges in Australia’s finance sector

Action Exchange
The report highlights the challenges financial institutions face in embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies. It covers topics such as governance, skills gaps, data issues, and the critical role of the front office in driving sustainability goals, offering practical steps for overcoming these hurdles.
Research
20 October 2023

An introduction to responsible investment: Human rights for asset owners

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This guide by PRI summarises human rights relevance for asset owners, offering strategies for policy, governance, stewardship, and disclosure. It includes case studies, international standards, and practical resources to promote human rights in the financial system.
Research
8 January 2024

Good practice toolkit: Strengthening modern slavery responses

Australian Human Rights Institute
This toolkit provides guidance on improving business practices under Australia's Modern Slavery Act. It emphasises effective stakeholder and supplier engagement, human rights due diligence, and the use of digital technologies. The toolkit includes practical examples and recommendations for businesses, governments, and civil society to better combat modern slavery.
Research
6 July 2023

An introduction to responsible investment: Biodiversity for asset owners

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This introductory guide for asset owners explores the financial risks and opportunities associated with biodiversity loss. It explains the relevance of biodiversity to investment processes and outlines how asset owners can incorporate biodiversity considerations into their responsible investment policies, stewardship practices, and disclosures.
Research
9 April 2024

Biodiversity risk: Legal implications for companies and their directors

Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative
The report analyses the legal obligations of company directors with regards to biodiversity risk. The report examines emerging disclosure standards, provides a jurisdictional spotlight, and includes case studies to illustrate the corporate interface with biodiversity.
Research
13 December 2022

The changing climate policy landscape: Considerations for policymakers and the needs of investors

Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC)
This report outlines eight key features of effective global climate policies. It analyses how different approaches to policy design shape capital markets' responses. The report also calls on governments to create policies with clear short, medium, and long-term targets that provide the right incentives and ensure a just transition.
Research
6 September 2023

Collaborative investor engagement with policymakers: Changing the rules of the game?

This report explores why and how institutional investors engage with governments and the challenges they face in the process. The authors analyse 11 case studies and identify drivers such as managing investment risks and fulfilling fiduciary duties, as well as challenges like limited influence on governments. The findings contribute to the sustainable finance and public policy literature.
Research
25 June 2023
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