AXA Research Lab on Gender Equality (Gender Lab) at Bocconi University in Milan advances empirical research and education on gender economics, diversity and policy impact. The lab publishes reports, hosts events and fosters academic-industry collaboration to promote gender equality across labour markets, fertility dynamics, culture and political representation.

This month’s sustainability roundup covers Australia’s new 2035 emissions target, ASIC’s final climate disclosure guidance, and Fortescue’s revised transition plan. It also examines global developments, from ISSB reporting updates and TNFD nature disclosures to Woodside’s gas extension, rising physical climate risks, and evolving ESG policy debates shaping corporate and investor responses.

This study examines the evolution of sustainability reporting in the Netherlands, showing how moral intentions of corporate responsibility became standardised and financialised. Through commensuration, sustainability shifted from ethical values to measurable economic indicators, leading to a “crowding out of morality” as reporting prioritised comparability, performance, and investor relevance over genuine moral purpose.

Mark Carney’s “tragedy of the horizon” warned that markets would act too late on climate risks. A decade later, this article argues that framing climate change as a financial risk has misdirected efforts—what’s needed now is coordinated action to create investable markets, especially in emerging economies.

This paper, “ESG: A Panacea for Market Power?” by Philip Bond and Doron Levit (2024), examines how firms’ social (“S”) ESG policies affect market competition. It finds that moderate ESG actions such as fairer treatment of workers or customers can reduce market power and improve welfare, while overly aggressive policies harm both firms and stakeholders. The authors show that competition in ESG policies among socially minded firms can deliver efficient, welfare-maximising outcomes, linking ESG adoption to market structure, corporate governance models, and executive incentives.

Oxford University Press (OUP) is a global academic and educational publisher. It operates as a department of the University of Oxford, producing textbooks, scholarly works, English language resources and reference works. OUP emphasises digital innovation, sustainability commitments, and broad international reach in research and education.

The report introduces the concept of Regenerative Good Growth (RGG) as an alternative to extractive GDP-focused models. It argues that economic progress should regenerate five renewable capitals, natural, social, human, cultural, and sustainable physical, while ensuring fairness, engagement, and reduced environmental harm. RGG promotes inclusive, low-carbon, and nature-positive transitions through diverse public participation.

This report summarises over 1,000 studies (2015–2020) and finds that most show a positive relationship between ESG and financial performance. ESG integration and long-term strategies tend to enhance returns and risk management, while disclosure alone has limited financial impact.

This report summarises private shareholder engagements in Japan by Governance for Owners Japan between 2009 and 2019. Findings show high success rates and positive abnormal returns, with quiet activism proving more effective than public campaigns. Evidence indicates such private engagements support Japan’s governance reforms and long-term shareholder value.

NYU Stern’s Center for Sustainable Business (CSB) conducts applied research, education and engagement to embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices into core business strategy. It helps leaders quantify sustainability’s financial value, offers executive certificates, and develops tools to assess materiality and carbon impact.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides financial advice, investment strategies, and portfolio management for individuals, families, and institutions. Its services include retirement planning, sustainable investing, and access to global market insights. Morgan Stanley combines advanced digital tools with expert guidance to help clients achieve long-term financial goals and preserve wealth across generations.

This report summarises international investment trends in the digital economy, focusing on data, digital infrastructure, and technology services. It highlights uneven global distribution, the role of multinational enterprises, and policy implications for sustainable development, emphasising the need for balanced regulatory frameworks and equitable access to digital opportunities worldwide.

This report presents Enel’s case study on implementing CFO Principles for the SDGs. It outlines historical drivers, sustainability disruption, strategic responses, and SDG investments, highlighting decarbonisation, electrification, and financial performance assessment. The report details Enel’s renewable energy expansion, SDG alignment, and integration of sustainability outcomes with financial results.

This report by PRI outlines how Fonds de Solidarité FTQ and Ircantec integrate just transition principles into investment strategies. It highlights measures to support decarbonisation, quality jobs, community engagement, sustainable real estate, and shareholder dialogue, linking social considerations with environmental goals in advancing a low-carbon economy.

This report develops a 130-year index (ESIX) measuring public attention to environmental and social issues in business using historical news data. Findings show that such attention rises during instability (social) or prosperity (environmental), depresses short-term investment efficiency, but improves investment outcomes over longer horizons.

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.