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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Chokepoint disruptions and their macroeconomic consequences
This report examines the macroeconomic consequences of global supply chain chokepoint disruptions. It finds that rising geopolitical tensions threaten critical nodes, causing significant output losses and price pressures. While substitution and inventories mitigate impacts, policy responses must consider a disruption's centrality and the private sector's capacity to adjust.
Too little too late? Nationwide carbon trading in China
This study evaluates China's rate-based National Emissions Trading Scheme using satellite imagery. It finds high-efficiency plants increased electricity generation and carbon emissions by approximately 5% relative to low-efficiency plants. The programme incentivised production without significantly reducing emission intensity, leading to an estimated aggregate increase in carbon dioxide emissions.
Green subsidies with demand distortions
This research evaluates green subsidies for induction stoves in Kenya, finding that demand distortions like credit constraints significantly enhance subsidy efficacy. While usage subsidies had no impact, purchase price subsidies achieved carbon abatement at just US$12 per ton. Contexts with high distortions offer highly cost-effective climate mitigation opportunities.
Pricing power in the mortgage market: Evidence from GSE fee waivers
This research examines GSE fee waivers for lower-income first-time homebuyers, revealing that lenders pass through less than 40% of these savings. Intermediaries captured over 60% of the $1.5 billion benefit. High-cost loan officers and non-banks show the lowest pass-through, highlighting significant market power and search frictions.
Corporate Climate Targets Database and Dashboard
A longitudinal database tracking voluntary climate commitments and greenhouse gas targets for U.S. public companies in the Russell 3000 index from 2000 to 2024.
Corporate governance scandals in India’s banking and financial services sector
This research examines corporate governance failures in India’s financial sector, focusing on scandals at YES Bank, IndusInd Bank, and IL&FS. It analyses the impact of 'star' promoters, gatekeeper failures, and regulatory fragmentation, advocating for enhanced standards of care for directors and a wholesale reconsideration of sector-specific governance frameworks.
The New Supply-Side Era: The O-Ring Meets Geopolitics
The report examines how geopolitical tensions, supply chain vulnerabilities and technological developments increasingly drive economic volatility. It applies O-ring theory to explain how disruptions spread through production networks, affecting inflation, investment and financial markets. It highlights implications for monetary policy, corporate resilience and long-term risk assessment.
A global, proxy-based assessment of building climatization vulnerability
This research assesses global building energy efficiency, identifying vulnerable populations living in aged or poorly shaped structures. It reveals that 48 million people are currently at risk, with vulnerability likely shifting towards heat-prone regions by 2100. Disparities in building codes and income levels significantly affect global climate adaptation efforts.
Renewable electrification as a means of transitioning away from fossil fuels: From commitment to implementation at COP31
This report evaluates renewable-based electrification as a pillar for transitioning away from fossil fuels. It proposes the ‘35 by 35’ target, analyses progress in five key countries, and outlines action priorities for COP31. The focus is on integrating renewables, efficiency, and equitable finance to accelerate global decarbonisation.
Mobile internet and employment: Evidence from 52 countries
This report analyses the impact of 3G expansion on employment across 52 countries from 2004 to 2023. It finds that while connectivity increases participation in low-income regions, it is associated with declining employment in mature economies. Gender gaps remain persistent, particularly regarding youth disengagement in poorer contexts.
Using firm-level and integrated data sources for enterprise policy development: With illustrative country analysis of firm resilience
This report examines the use of firm-level and integrated data sources, including enterprise surveys, household surveys, and administrative records, for enterprise policy development. It features case studies from Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil, analysing firm resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic through various indicators such as productivity, informality, and workforce restoration.
Breaking the bottleneck: How advance market commitments can bridge the supply-demand gap in recycled materials
This research evaluates advance market commitments to bridge the supply-demand imbalance for recycled materials. It identifies opportunities in mixed plastic, textile waste, and paper-based alternatives, advocating for binding financial agreements to incentivise investment in recycling capacity and support global sustainability targets.
European employment and social outlook series
This report is part of a series providing an analysis of labour market and social developments within the European Union. It examines the relationship between job quality, productivity and economic performance, evaluating dimensions such as earnings and job security to inform evidence-based policymaking across Member States.
The illusion of resilience in a degrading supply chain
Senior UK food executives warn that environmental degradation and climate change pose significant financial risks to supply chains. Current industry focus on short-term growth masks structural vulnerabilities. Investors are urged to challenge board capabilities and demand long-term resilience strategies to secure future profitability and food security.
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026
This 2026 report evaluates global progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. It reveals that only 36 per cent of targets are on track, with progress hindered by financing gaps and climate crises. The document also highlights the critical role of data and AI in future monitoring.
Estimating the date of Earth Overshoot Day 2026
Global Footprint Network identifies Earth Overshoot Day 2026 as 30 July. While the date appears later than in 2025, underlying ecological overshoot is at record levels. The report details nowcasting methodologies using proxy data to overcome UN data lags and highlights significant updates to carbon and trade accounting.