Library | Sustainable Finance Practices

Industry standards and guidance

Voluntary standards, non-legislative frameworks, methodologies, and best-practice guidance that support financial institutions in achieving sustainability objectives.

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Just Nature: How finance can support a just transition at the interface of action on climate and biodiversity

Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
This report examines how the financial sector can facilitate a just transition within nature-based systems. It outlines priorities for sustainable agriculture, deforestation, nature-based solutions, and ocean restoration. The authors provide strategic recommendations for integrating human rights and social inclusion into climate and biodiversity actions to achieve a net-zero economy.
Research
25 August 2022

Cyber risk stress testing for banks

This report examines cyber risk stress testing for banks, contrasting system-focused and firm-focused approaches. Drawing on exercises by the Bank of England, the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority, and the European Central Bank, it outlines scenario design, operational resilience, and the role of disclosure in establishing best practices.
Research
15 April 2026

Gaining ground: State of private investment in nature 2026

The Nature Conservancy
This report analyses the growth of private investment in nature between 2016 and 2025, documenting a fivefold increase in annual capital deployment to $14 billion. It highlights the shift towards institutional-grade natural capital and recommends clearer policy drivers and standardised metrics to unlock investment and bridge the $700 billion finance gap.
Research
23 June 2026

Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance: Portfolio

Climate Policy Initiative
The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance Portfolio is a database of vetted financial instruments designed to mobilise private capital for climate action. It provides finance professionals with access to innovative blended finance models, case studies, and sector-specific investment structures.
Online tool/database

Asset-level physical climate risk register template

Investor Group on Climate Change
The Asset-level physical climate risk register template, developed by the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC), enables consistent documentation of climate hazard assessments. It helps investors and managers track risks such as floods and wildfires at the individual asset level to support financial reporting and resilience planning.
Online tool/database
15 May 2026

Assessing the quality of adaptation finance tool

Climate Policy Initiative
A CPI decision-support tool for public finance providers to assess adaptation finance quality across project, market, and system levels.
Research
15 June 2026

Financial Innovation Knowledge Platform

Climate Policy Initiative
CPI's platform offering practical tools, research, and guidance for public and private actors developing and investing in climate finance vehicles.
Resource hub

Mapping social and environmental due diligence legislation

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
This OECD report maps 21 legislative measures across 11 jurisdictions concerning social and environmental due diligence. It identifies key areas of convergence and divergence in regulatory scope and requirements. The findings aim to support international policy co-operation, reduce implementation complexity, and promote consistent global enforcement approaches.
Research
4 May 2026

Ocean investment protocol: 2026 revised draft for consultation: A multi-stakeholder plan to enable funding for the Sustainable Ocean Economy

United Nations Global Compact
This report provides a framework for scaling finance towards a sustainable ocean economy. It outlines recommendations for financial institutions, insurers, governments, and central banks to manage risks and capture opportunities. The protocol aims to mobilise the US$1 trillion required by 2030 to protect marine ecosystems and ensure prosperity.
Research
18 June 2026

The role of investors in measuring and achieving lower embodied carbon in real estate and infrastructure

Investor Group on Climate Change
This guidance outlines strategies for Australian investors to manage and reduce embodied carbon in real estate and infrastructure. It details a maturity pathway from benchmarking to achieving reductions, highlighting mandatory reporting requirements and strategic benefits. The document provides specific actions for equity and debt investors to align with net-zero pathways.
Research
25 January 2026

Tips on effective grievance mechanisms for businesses

British International Investment (formerly CDC Group)
This report outlines strategies for businesses to implement effective grievance mechanisms aligned with UN Guiding Principles. It highlights how robust engagement can prevent potential financial losses of $25-40 million. Guidance covers design, internal governance, and maintaining effectiveness in high-risk environments to build stakeholder trust and ensure human rights compliance.
Research
15 July 2025

Responsible investing maturity matrix: Emerging markets

A maturity framework for VC funds and LPs to assess ESG and responsible investment integration across emerging market fund operations.
Online tool/database
1 April 2026

Fair Finance Ghana ESG policy assessment report

Fair Finance International
This report assesses ESG policies across five Ghanaian banks using international benchmarks. Results show low sustainability integration, particularly regarding climate change and transparency. It recommends adopting global frameworks, extending ESG accountability to lending portfolios, and improving standardised reporting to align the sector with international best practice.
Research
1 May 2026

Global energy review series

International Energy Agency (IEA)
The Global Energy Review is an annual benchmark series published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) that assesses trends across the entire energy sector, covering all fuels, technologies, regions, and energy-related CO2 emissions for the preceding calendar year.
Benchmark/series
1 May 2026

Exploring guarantees for resilient and low-carbon cities: Part 2: De-risking urban climate finance series

Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA)
This report examines how guarantees can unlock private climate finance for cities. It identifies barriers to uptake in emerging markets, such as high costs and complex structures. Proposed solutions include strengthening governance, standardising products, and expanding regional facilities to mobilise the USD 4.3 trillion required annually by 2030.
Research
27 April 2026

Mapping the landscape of net-zero nature-positive finance: A review of definitions and frameworks

Climate Policy Initiative
This report provides a comprehensive review of definitions and frameworks for net-zero, nature-positive, and climate-nature finance. It identifies alignment areas and implementation gaps, advocating for integrated risk and investment approaches to achieve global sustainability goals under the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Research
15 July 2026
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