Library | ESG issues
Environmental
The environmental pillar in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) assesses an organisation’s impact on the planet. It includes issues such as climate change, biodiversity, waste management and water management. Strong environmental practices help businesses reduce risks, comply with regulations, and drive long-term sustainability.
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Urban planning for the circular economy: A spatial turn in theory and practice
This report examines how urban planning can operationalise the circular economy by addressing spatial dimensions. Drawing on European city experiences, it explores circular developments, infrastructure, land management and multi-level governance. It provides strategic directions for integrating circularity into core planning instruments to support systemic, territorially grounded transitions.
Weekly cat report: Review of global catastrophe activity
This series provides a weekly review of global catastrophe activity, covering meteorological events and preliminary financial loss estimates. It tracks natural disasters such as severe convective storms, flooding, and landslides across multiple regions to assist in risk assessment. This report is part of a regular series.
Oil market report series
This monthly series provides a comprehensive analysis of global oil market fundamentals, including supply, demand, refinery throughputs, and price developments. Produced by the International Energy Agency, it offers detailed data and forecasts to support evidence-based decision-making. This document is part of a benchmark series.
Optimal flood insurance in a second-best world: Fiscal spillovers, reclassification risk and moral hazard
This report evaluates the U.S. National Flood Insurance Program's transition to risk-based pricing. It finds that unintended consequences, such as increased ex post disaster spending and household exposure to climate uncertainty, outweigh moral hazard costs. The authors conclude that an optimal premium subsidy of 52% is required.
Systems stewardship: Managing interconnected climate risks for lasting value
This report examines how Australian investors apply systems stewardship to manage interconnected climate risks. It identifies key practices, such as collaborative engagement and policy advocacy, while highlighting barriers like resource constraints. Six recommendations are provided to help investors safeguard long-term returns and support a net-zero transition.
Why resilience starts with understanding extremes
Climate resilience requires understanding high-impact, low-probability tail risks. Rising temperatures are transforming extreme events into common occurrences. Using examples like the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, this report advocates for assessing high-end warming scenarios and tipping points to evaluate the robustness of portfolios and assets against cascading physical risks.
Climate-related transition planning: Voluntary guidance
This voluntary guidance from the Australian Treasury helps organisations develop climate-related transition plans. It details a four-stage process—assessing position, setting ambitions, planning actions, and implementation—to manage risks and align with Australia’s net zero targets, building on international standards and domestic policy to enhance business resilience.
Smarter, leaner, cleaner: Direct reduced iron and the future of American steel
Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) is the most cost-effective new-build investment for the American steel sector. This analysis confirms that natural-gas-based DRI meets investment hurdles across all regions, offering a 15% real return and significant emissions reductions while providing flexibility for future hydrogen integration.
Community energy: Hope and headwinds
This report examines the Australian community energy sector, highlighting growth to over 126 projects by 2023. It explores the tension between strong community motivations and significant economic headwinds, such as scale diseconomies and market volatility. Key findings emphasise technical expertise and de-risking strategies as essential for success.
BSI Net Zero Barometer Report Series
This benchmark series examines the UK business landscape's transition to net zero. It tracks commitment levels, drivers, and barriers among senior decision-makers. The research explores how organisations are reframing sustainability as a commercial necessity and highlights the demand for government support, financial incentives, and standardised guidance to achieve 2050 targets.
WWF Risk Filter Suite
A free online screening suite from WWF featuring Water and Biodiversity Risk Filters. It helps financial institutions and companies identify nature-related physical and regulatory risks across portfolios using 80+ global datasets.
Faire Fonds Database
The Faire Fonds Database is a screening tool from Facing Finance and urgewald that analyses thousands of retail funds for controversial holdings. It identifies exposure to sectors like fossil fuels and weapons while highlighting potential greenwashing in ESG-labelled products.
Climate Risk Signals Explorer
The Climate Risk Signals Explorer is an AI-powered analytical tool by Climate Proof that tracks climate risk mentions in corporate earnings calls, helping finance professionals monitor physical and transition risks.
SUSREG annual report series
This benchmark series provides a comprehensive assessment of sustainable financial regulations and central banking activities. It tracks progress across global jurisdictions in integrating climate, environmental, and social risks within banking, insurance, and capital markets sectors, supporting the transition towards a net-zero and nature-positive global economy.
Global EV Outlook series
This benchmark series monitors recent developments in electric mobility across the globe. Produced annually, the report examines deployment of vehicles and infrastructure, battery demand, and policy developments. It evaluates the implications of growing adoption for energy consumption and emissions across major and emerging markets.
Global Methane Tracker 2026
The International Energy Agency report analyses global energy-related methane emissions, highlighting 124 million tonnes emitted in 2025. It examines abatement strategies, satellite data advancements and policy trends. The research underscores that 30% of emissions could be reduced at no net cost, advocating for robust international standards and increased transparency.