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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Target-setting protocol fourth edition

United Nations Environment Programme
The report outlines the fourth edition of the Science Based Targets initiative’s target-setting protocol. It provides updated guidance, criteria, and methodology for companies to set near-term science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, aligning with 1.5°C pathways and incorporating broader coverage across sectors, geographies, and organisational boundaries.
Research
16 April 2024

Survey of CFA institute members on latest ESG matters

CFA Institute
The CFA Institute survey (Nov 2021) captures member views on ESG integration and sustainability reporting. Respondents support flexibility in ESG integration, oppose government mandates, and favour global product disclosure standards. They also prefer mandatory, globally consistent sustainability reporting with regulatory frameworks in place before adoption.
Research
16 November 2021

City development limited: Industry case studies: Real estate

DBS Bank
City Developments Limited outlines its sustainability strategy, focusing on climate resilience, stakeholder engagement, and SDG-aligned investments. The report details historical drivers, innovation in green building, ESG integration, and financial performance, highlighting case studies on technology adoption and partnerships to advance low-carbon operations and responsible real estate growth.
Research
20 September 2021

DBS Bank

Commercial Research Providers
DBS Bank India is a digital-led universal bank offering personal, SME, corporate and wealth management services. Features include resident and non-resident (NRI) savings and fixed deposit accounts, remittance, loans, digital payments and credit/debit card solutions. Positions as Asia’s safest bank with a wide India branch network.
Organisation
1 research item

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG)

Commercial Research Providers
LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) is a global financial markets infrastructure and data provider. It delivers market-data, analytics, news and index products to over 44,000 customers in more than 170 countries. LSEG’s services cover capital markets, post-trade operations, risk management and information services.
Organisation
2 research items

Aotearoa New Zealand climate standards series

External Reporting Board (XRB)
The Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards series is a benchmark series issued by the External Reporting Board. It sets out the framework for climate-related disclosures, including governance, strategy, risk management, metrics and targets, adoption provisions, and general requirements. The series provides entities with a consistent structure to report climate-related risks and opportunities.
Benchmark/series

External Reporting Board (XRB)

Government Organisations & Departments
External Reporting Board (XRB) is an independent Crown entity in New Zealand that develops and issues accounting, auditing & assurance, and climate reporting standards. XRB ensures trusted, high-quality, integrated reporting across public, private and not-for-profit sectors to promote transparency, accountability and support informed decision-making.
Organisation
1 research item

Water footprint assessment tool

Water footprint network
The Water Footprint Assessment Tool is a free online application that enables businesses, governments, investors, NGOs and researchers to calculate and map green, blue and grey water footprints, assess sustainability, efficiency and equitable water use, and identify strategic actions to improve water management.
Online tool/database

Water footprint implementation

Commercial Research Providers
Water Footprint Implementation supports companies and governments with water accounting, sustainability assessment and water-footprint compensation. A spin-off of Water Footprint Network research, it delivers actionable insights for ESG reporting, water stewardship, water-footprint benchmarking and tailored reduction strategies to enhance resilience, reduce risk and foster sustainable water management.
Organisation
1 research item

Joint Research Centre

Government Sponsored / Multilateral Organisations
Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the European Commission’s science and knowledge service. It provides independent research and data to support EU policies on climate change, energy, health, food security, digital innovation and safety. JRC delivers scientific evidence to help policymakers address global challenges with reliable analysis and solutions.
Organisation
5 research items

Chatham House

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
Chatham House, known formally as Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute in London. It delivers rigorous research, analysis and dialogue on global issues—such as international relations, climate change, security and economics. Its mission: help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world.
Organisation
1 research item

Greenhouse Gas Protocol

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks
GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol) sets globally recognised greenhouse-gas accounting standards and guidance. Developed by World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development, it enables businesses, governments and cities to measure, report and manage emissions—covering operations, value chains and mitigation actions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
Organisation
18 research items

Guidance for leveraging the Singapore-Asia taxonomy in green and transition financing

Singapore Sustainable Finance Association (SSFA)
This report provides practical guidance for applying the Singapore-Asia Taxonomy (SAT) in green and transition financing. It addresses data gaps, evolving criteria, transition plans, and scenarios where full alignment with SAT is not possible, promoting credible financing practices across Southeast Asia’s key sectors.
Research
10 July 2025

Unlocking the sustainable transition for agribusiness

United Nations Environment Programme
This report examines how entrenched political and market structures hinder agribusinesses from transitioning to sustainable models. It identifies three systemic “lock-ins” and outlines how policy reforms, financial incentives, and political commitment can unlock agribusiness potential to drive food system transformation at scale and pace.
Research
1 July 2025

Mobilising institutional capital towards the SDGs and a Just Transition

Impact Investing Institute
This report outlines pathways for mobilising institutional capital towards the Sustainable Development Goals and a Just Transition. It focuses on investment vehicles, emerging markets, and private asset classes, providing practical recommendations, case studies, and frameworks to integrate environmental, social, and community considerations into scalable, impactful financial strategies.
Research
17 December 2021

GHG protocol calculation tools and guidance

World Resources Institute
The GHG Protocol’s calculation tools and guidance details Excel‑based, cross‑sector, sector‑specific, and country‑specific tools, including those for cities and countries. Each tool includes step‑by‑step guidance and emission factors to support accurate GHG inventory development in line with the Protocol’s standards
Online tool/database
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