Library | Sustainable Finance Practices

Governance and directors’ duties

Resources on the responsibilities of boards and directors in overseeing sustainability, ensuring accountability, fulfilling fiduciary duties, and promoting long-term value creation.

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Asset manager capture

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
This research examines "reverse capture", where government actors pressure large asset managers to advance political agendas. It analyses how expanding presidential power and market concentration enable this dynamic, using the ESG retreat as an illustration. The authors recommend narrowing fiduciary duties to insulate investment stewardship from political interference.
Research
28 August 2026

Corporate governance scandals in India’s banking and financial services sector

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
This research examines corporate governance failures in India’s financial sector, focusing on scandals at YES Bank, IndusInd Bank, and IL&FS. It analyses the impact of 'star' promoters, gatekeeper failures, and regulatory fragmentation, advocating for enhanced standards of care for directors and a wholesale reconsideration of sector-specific governance frameworks.
Research
28 August 2026

The illusion of resilience in a degrading supply chain

Senior UK food executives warn that environmental degradation and climate change pose significant financial risks to supply chains. Current industry focus on short-term growth masks structural vulnerabilities. Investors are urged to challenge board capabilities and demand long-term resilience strategies to secure future profitability and food security.
Research
1 October 2026

Three ways to move a company: A typology of best-practice investor engagement

Embera Partners
This research examines three distinct models of investor engagement through case studies of BP, Honeywell and Bâloise. It highlights how financial-materiality framing and structural shifts in stewardship, including the fragmentation of 'Big Three' voters and SEC regulatory changes, are reshaping corporate governance and activist strategies for 2026 and 2027.
Research
24 June 2026

Research primer: Corporate political activity

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
This research primer examines the risks and motivations behind corporate political activity. It highlights how indirect donations through third-party groups can lead to reputational misalignment and potential corruption. The report advocates for robust board oversight and transparency, recommending the CPA-Zicklin Framework to align political spending with core values.
Research
30 July 2026

ESG ratings and the French Duty of Vigilance Law

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
An analysis of the 2017 French Duty of Vigilance Law’s impact on corporate ESG and financial performance. Using difference-in-differences analysis, the study finds a significant negative association with social and environmental ESG scores, suggesting the law reduces rating "gaming" or prompts the production of more realistic risk disclosures.
Research
25 June 2026

The value of non-value-maximizing managers

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
This research argues that hiring managers biased towards poorly-measured goals, such as social impact, is often optimal. This selection allows organisations to implement high-powered financial incentives for well-measured tasks without neglecting non-financial objectives. The study highlights how managerial selection and incentive design function as complementary governance tools.
Research
31 August 2026

From planetary hazard to financial stability: Disentangling climate risk and institutional responsibility

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
This report identifies the misalignment between institutional mandates and climate risk expectations. It distinguishes between planetary, economic and financial risks, outlining six distinct responses. The authors argue that current frameworks distract from real-economy decarbonisation and shift climate costs onto public balance sheets, requiring clearer policy distinctions and instruments.
Research
1 June 2026

Governing climate credibility: Reviewing the governance of climate and sustainability standards

Oxford Net Zero
An independent review of governance across five leading climate standard-setters: GHGP, GRI, ISO, ISSB, and SBTi. The report evaluates structures, finance, and independence, identifying strengths and transparency gaps. It offers recommendations to enhance accountability, resource governance effectively, and ensure long-term credibility for net zero objectives.
Research
31 August 2026

Legal liability vs. proportional representation: What works in improving poor investor protection?

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
This research evaluates Korean governance reforms, comparing director legal liability with proportional representation. Findings indicate that markets react positively to increased director liability, especially for undervalued firms. Conversely, mandated proportional representation triggers negative reactions, as investors fear boardroom conflicts may hinder strategic decision-making and reduce board cohesion.
Research
18 May 2026

Legal opinion on enabling impact investing

Parry Field Lawyers
This legal opinion examines how the Trusts Act 2019 enables New Zealand trustees to engage in impact investing. It reframes fiduciary duties, addresses perceived barriers like SIPO wording, and provides practical realities for organisations seeking to align capital investments with charitable purposes while generating financial returns.
Research
18 March 2024

The Barbara and Morris Pearl 527 Interactive Database

Center for Political Accountability
The Barbara and Morris Pearl 527 Interactive Database tracks political donations from publicly traded US companies to 527 committees. Developed by the Center for Political Accountability, it helps finance professionals assess corporate governance and reputational risks related to political spending.
Online tool/database
19 November 2024

CPA-Zicklin Index of Corporate Political Disclosure and Accountability

Center for Political Accountability
This benchmark series evaluates corporate political disclosure and accountability practices among major US companies. It provides a structured analysis of transparency, board oversight, and spending policies for the S&P 500 and Russell 1000, enabling stakeholders to assess political risk and governance standards across different industries.
Benchmark/series
6 November 2025

Templates in the EU Inc. regulation proposal

Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE
This research evaluates the European Commission’s Proposal for an optional 28th corporate law regime. It argues that proposed model articles of association fail to support venture capital-backed firms. The authors identify four shortcomings regarding scope, process, logic, and safe-harbour effects, suggesting a dedicated drafting track and broader coverage.
Research
18 May 2026

Stakeholder governance and corporate purpose in certified B Corps: Minimizing conflict and fostering collaboration

This research examines how Australian and New Zealand B Corporations implement stakeholder governance through corporate purpose. Based on 20 interviews, it identifies six roles for purpose in decision-making and signalling. The findings suggest that purpose-led models help attract supportive stakeholders and foster collaboration beyond mere conflict resolution.
Research
29 April 2025

ShareAction policy paper: Defending and strengthening the AGM as a forum for corporate accountability

ShareAction
This ShareAction report advocates for mandatory hybrid AGMs to ensure corporate accountability. It argues that online-only formats diminish shareholder scrutiny and enable management to stage-manage proceedings. The document recommends amending the 2006 Companies Act and provides case studies of poor virtual AGM practices across several major companies.
Research
15 June 2026
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