Library | Sustainable Finance Practices
Issue/sector focused research
General research and analysis that provides deep dives and insights into specific sustainability issues or industry sectors, addressing the current status, trends, risks, and opportunities for the issue but not specifically addressing a finance or business audience.
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Arms availability and the situation of civilians in armed conflict: A study presented by the ICRC
The ICRC study finds that widespread availability of small arms intensifies civilian harm in armed conflict. Drawing on field data, case studies and staff surveys, it links unregulated arms flows to higher civilian casualties, humanitarian access constraints and weakened compliance with international humanitarian law.
Responsible business conduct in the arms sector: Ensuring business practice in line with the UN guiding principles on business and human rights
The UN Working Group reviews arms sector regulation, finding persistent exports linked to humanitarian and human rights law violations. It identifies weak political will, opaque oversight and limited human rights due diligence, and urges stronger application of the UN Guiding Principles by states and companies.
Report of the working group on the universal periodic review
The report presents Norway’s fourth Universal Periodic Review, outlining human rights commitments, recent legal reforms, and policy measures. It records peer State feedback and extensive recommendations covering equality, child welfare, Indigenous rights, migration, climate action, and business and human rights, for Norway’s consideration and follow-up.
Mapping the international presence of the world's largest arms companies
SIPRI maps the global footprint of the 15 largest arms companies, identifying 400 majority-owned foreign entities. International presence aligns with geopolitical ties and major arms markets. US and European firms dominate; Chinese and Russian companies show limited overseas reach.
Integrating nature & biodiversity into investment: An asset owner perspective
The report examines how asset owners integrate nature and biodiversity into investment. Based on interviews with 20 global asset owners and managers, it finds growing recognition of financial materiality, limited governance and data maturity, early TNFD adoption, and reliance on climate-aligned ESG processes.
Repurposing power markets: The path to sustainable and affordable energy for all
IFC’s report argues that repurposing power market designs is critical to achieving affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity. Drawing on global data, it finds competitive markets attract private capital, improve access and accelerate renewables, while recommending tailored reforms guided by innovation, integration and institutional strength.
Powering up the global south: The cleantech path to growth
The report argues the Global South is rapidly adopting cleantech as its cheapest growth pathway, driven by low energy access, limited fossil resources and abundant renewables. Falling costs, electrification and Chinese supply underpin accelerating solar and wind deployment, with fossil fuel demand for electricity expected to peak by 2030.
Banking on business as usual: The energy finance imbalance
The report assesses energy financing by 65 major banks (2021–2024), finding fossil fuel finance more than double sustainable power supply. The energy supply financing ratio stagnates around 0.42:1, far below net-zero benchmarks, with regional disparities and weak translation of climate commitments into financing shifts.
On the horizon: Climate-induced inflation and the price of food
This report analyses climate-driven food price inflation in the UK, linking global heat and drought shocks to rising import costs. It projects 25–34% cumulative food inflation by 2050, with disproportionate impacts on low-income households and increased poverty risks.
The global human impact on biodiversity
Global meta-analysis of 2,133 studies finds human pressures consistently shift community composition and reduce local biodiversity across terrestrial, freshwater and marine systems, but do not cause uniform biotic homogenisation. Impacts vary by pressure, organism group and spatial scale, informing conservation benchmarking.
Historical redlining and cumulative environmental impacts across the United States
This study analyses 202 US cities, linking historic redlining to higher present-day cumulative environmental burdens. Using EJScreen data and modelling, it finds redlined neighbourhoods face significantly greater combined pollution exposures, particularly from traffic, hazardous waste and wastewater sites, with strongest disparities in western regions.
Unlocking Opportunity: Addressing Livestock Methane to Build Resilient Food Systems
This Ceres report outlines the financial and climate case for reducing livestock methane. It maps methane exposure across food supply chains and sets out strategies for companies and investors to manage risk, strengthen resilience, and capture value through near-term methane mitigation.
The role of traceability in critical mineral supply chains
The report examines how traceability can support responsible critical mineral supply chains. It outlines policy drivers, system components, costs and limitations, and mineral-specific challenges, concluding that well-designed traceability can enhance due diligence, transparency and supply security when proportionate and risk-based.
Growing resilience: Unlocking the potential of nature-based solutions for climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa
The report assesses nature-based solutions for climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa, reviewing nearly 300 projects. It finds growing adoption but insufficient scale, highlighting financing, policy, and capacity gaps, and recommends integrating NBS into infrastructure planning, diversifying funding, and strengthening social inclusion and local capability.
Climate inequality & just transition: An introduction for actuaries
This report explains climate inequality and climate justice, outlines risks from unjust climate transitions, and frames just transition principles. It highlights how climate impacts amplify inequality and sets out roles for actuaries in risk assessment, fairness, and supporting equitable climate-resilient development.
Fashion’s plastic paralysis: How brands resist change and fuel microplastic pollution
The report examines fashion brands’ continued reliance on synthetic fibres, highlighting how voluntary commitments, lobbying, and weak accountability delay fibre reduction and regulation. It links current business models to rising microplastic pollution and concludes that systemic policy and production changes are required.