Library | Sustainable Finance Practices
Impact measurement and verification
Resources for developing metrics and frameworks to measure, monitor, implement and verify the environmental, social, and financial impacts of investments.
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ENCORE
ENCORE (Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure) is a free, online tool that helps organisations explore their exposure to nature-related risk and take the first steps to understand their dependencies and impacts on nature.
Towards a systemic understanding of sustainable well-being for all in cities: A conceptual framework
The purpose of this framework is to guide the design and evaluation of public policies, as well as provide tools for conducting thorough assessments and monitoring progress across various socio-ecological dimensions of sustainable well-being in different urban settings on a universal scale.
An equitable energy allowance for all: Pathways for a below 2◦ C-compliant global buildings sector
The article asserts that building energy codes must be derived from global climate change targets. Thus, an innovate global Building Stock Energy Model is developed to determine the required energy efficiency levels for building stocks of 138 countries in alignment with the Paris Agreement’s below 2°C climate change scenario.
Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions
The aim of this paper is to create transparency regarding the current understandings of the circular economy concept. The findings indicate that the circular economy is most frequently depicted as a combination of reduce, reuse and recycle activities. Concerningly, many definitions overlook that circular economy necessitates a systemic shift.
Driving improvements in modern slavery reporting: The role for Australian investors
Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018 (MSA) was intended to create a race to the top among Australian companies in addressing modern slavery disclosure. The response from corporate Australia is lagging, however. This research on disclosures under the MSA identifies three key gaps in S&P/ASX 300 modern slavery reporting and performance.
The missing middles: Segmenting enterprises to better understand their financial needs
Small and growing businesses (SGBs) have significant and positive impact on emerging and frontier markets. This report proposes a new segmentation framework to help service providers, enterprises, donors, limited partners (LPs) and field-building organisations understand and navigate the complex landscape of SGB investment in frontier and emerging markets.
A legal framework for impact: Sustainability impact in investor decision-making
The report examines whether laws within eleven diverse jurisdictions support institutional investors in pursuing sustainability outcomes, while at the same time earning a financial return. It discusses options available to policymakers for legal reform in order to facilitate investing for sustainability impact.
New nature economy report II: The future of nature and business
This report provides an applicable agenda for businesses to contribute to the development of practical roadmaps that address the most important drivers of nature loss and build a nature-positive future. It is the second part of a three-part New Nature Economy Report series.
Corruption risks and ESG screening of mining investments: How corruption affects environmental, social, governance (ESG) outcomes in mining and what investors need to do to guard their investments
This discussion paper identifies the manner in which corruption affects ESG outcomes of mining companies and details specific methods of evaluating/calculating a mining company ‘exposure to risk. Strategies of response that investors can take to drive sustainable and responsible business practices within mining firms are also outlined within the report.
A research and learning agenda for the impact of financial inclusion
There is consistent evidence of financial services contributing to improved well-being, yet the influence of contextual factors is largely unknown. The theory of change framework identifies several knowledge gaps that funders/researchers can address to develop a more accurate prediction of when financial inclusion policy will generate positive wellbeing outcomes.
Finance and biodiversity: Overview of initiatives for financial institutions
In collaboration with international organisations, the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge has developed an overview of the main biodiversity-related initiatives currently targeting financial institutions. The Overview features a summary of twelve major initiatives and defines its key activities, collaboration, delivery, and goals it aims to achieve.
Getting physical: Scenario analysis for assessing climate-related risks
There has been a gap between understanding climate change and the implications it has for finance and the broader economy. This paper provides insight into scenario analysis - using data and climate science to provide more transparency on their financial risks in the medium and long term.
Investing for impact: Operating principles for impact management
The report describes nine principles for managing and measuring investments that seek to achieve a positive social or environmental impact. The principles may be implemented through different impact management systems and are designed to be fit for purpose for a range of institutions and funds.
Factory farming in Asia: Assessing investment risks
Asia's meat, dairy, and seafood industries are increasingly vulnerable to risks with the potential to damage returns. This report analyses twelve Asia-Pacific markets identifying five areas of risk including food safety and nutrition, public health, environment, animal welfare and labour standards. Each area of risk includes key questions for investors.
How ESG issues become financially material to corporations and their investors
This working paper advances a framework that illustrates how environment, social and governance (‘ESG’) issues become financially material and impact on company and industry valuation. The framework comprises five stages of the pathways to materiality.
How to report on the SDGs: What good looks like and why it matters
Corporate action towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be fundamental to achieve necessary progress. This report aims to guide corporations on how and why to report on the SDGs and gives an overview of current progress based on the top 250 global companies.