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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Advancing responsible recycled plastics value chains through traceability and transparency: Learnings from the Responsible Sourcing Initiative
This report explores implementing traceability in recycled plastics value chains. Drawing on pilots in Viet Nam and Indonesia, it identifies misaligned incentives and data governance as primary barriers. It recommends integrating traceability into existing business processes and provides a decision framework to support organisations at different maturity stages.
Artificial intelligence and climate change: balancing innovation and sustainability
This report examines the interaction between artificial intelligence and climate change, highlighting potential for mitigation and adaptation alongside significant environmental costs. It explores two technological trajectories—AI copilot and artificial general intelligence—while discussing implications for central banks regarding productivity, inflation, financial stability, and emerging global policy frameworks.
Digging mining out of diesel dependence: Short-term options to enhance fuel and future-proof industry
This report examines Australia's mining industry's heavy reliance on diesel and identifies short-term efficiency improvements to reduce consumption by 10–20%. It highlights critical roles for coal and iron ore sectors, explores barriers like the Fuel Tax Credit system, and proposes policy reforms to enhance national fuel security.
Asia-Pacific EBMO survey: Labour, trade and responsible business conduct
This report analyses how Asia-Pacific employer organisations address trade-related labour requirements and responsible business conduct. While 96 per cent of surveyed EBMOs view these issues as relevant, rising business pressure and capacity constraints — particularly in funding and technical expertise — limit their ability to provide comprehensive member services.
Global warming and the National Cattlemen’s Association 1986–1996
This research examines the National Cattlemen’s Association’s response to global warming evidence between 1986 and 1996. The organisation prioritised strategic communications and public relations over production changes to mitigate methane emissions. By reframing scientific findings and challenging critics, the NCA aimed to protect beef demand and industry interests.
Intergenerational report 2026: Australia’s future to 2066
The 2026 Intergenerational Report examines Australia's economic and fiscal trajectory to 2066. It identifies five major transitions: the AI revolution, geopolitical fragmentation, energy transition, population ageing, and industrial transformation. Projections include 2% average annual GDP growth and a long-term total fertility rate of 1.34.
Unlocking finance for nature-based solutions (NbS) in Indian cities: Learnings and insights from case studies
This report examines nine Indian nature-based solutions (NbS) case studies to evaluate financing mechanisms and institutional frameworks. It highlights the importance of reducing technical risk through feasibility studies, aligning with national policies, and sequencing capital to support project scalability and long-term sustainability in urban environments.
Landscape of technical assistance to agri-SMEs: Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean
This report maps the technical assistance ecosystem for agri-SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. It identifies structural gaps in information, pre-investment funding, and coordination. The analysis offers strategies to strengthen the ecosystem, highlighting the importance of nature integration and supporting local providers to improve investment readiness.
Who bears the transition risk? Uneven climate risk assessment of SMEs across German banking groups
This report examines how German banks assess climate transition risks, specifically for SMEs. It finds that private banks significantly increased risk weights for carbon-intensive firms after 2018, while cooperative and savings banks did not. The reliance on sector-level metrics suggests potential loan mispricing and systemic risks within regional banking groups.
The economic value of decarbonising the Pilbara
This report evaluates the economic impact of applying a A$50 million Fuel Tax Credit cap to decarbonise the Pilbara. It estimates A$7.1 billion to A$13.2 billion in economic value, including A$5.6 billion in induced investment, 16,800 cumulative jobs, and significant carbon abatement facilitated by common-user transmission infrastructure.
From catch to cash: Four seafood giants could increase operating profit by 2% to 9% via improved traceability
This report analyses the financial benefits of digital traceability for seafood giants Nissui, Umios, Thai Union, and Nomad Foods. It finds that investing in full-chain, interoperable systems could increase operating profits by 2% to 9% by reducing costs, mitigating regulatory risks, and enhancing brand reputation through improved sustainability data.
Water atlas: Data and facts about the basis of life 2025
This report analyses the global water crisis, examining the impacts of climate change, pollution, and industrial demand. It highlights the strain from agriculture and digitalisation, explores the failure of privatisation, and advocates for sustainable governance and ecosystem restoration to ensure water security and human rights are protected globally.
Agribusiness Atlas: Facts and figures about the corporations that control what we eat 2026
The Agribusiness Atlas 2026 details the unprecedented concentration of corporate power within global food systems. It examines how dominant firms influence policy, drive environmental degradation, and impact food security. The report advocates for democratic food governance, fair pricing for farmers, and public sector alternatives to curb corporate control.
Investing in water-related and dependent infrastructure: Risks, considerations, and opportunities
This report examines water risks as systemic financial threats to infrastructure. It proposes a seven-step decision framework to integrate ecosystem services into project appraisal and financing. Through case studies in Africa and Asia, it advocates for hybrid green-grey solutions and innovative financial mechanisms to address the global water infrastructure gap.
Effects of climate change on menstrual health and hygiene: A global mixed-methods systematic review
This systematic review synthesises evidence on how climate change affects menstrual health and hygiene globally. It finds that floods, cyclones, and droughts disrupt access to materials and sanitation, while air pollution correlates with earlier menarche. The report highlights critical gaps in research regarding extreme heat and equity.
The effects of long-term exposure to pollution on health
This research provides causal evidence that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter at contemporary levels increases circulatory morbidity, particularly hypertension. Using a quasi-random assignment of U.S. Army soldiers, the study demonstrates that sustained exposure erodes health capital, even in young, initially healthy populations, highlighting the risks of chronic pollution.