Publications

LA Forum - The case for ESG integration 2018

Whilst the concept itself is not new, Responsible Investment (‘RI’) is now one of the foremost issues on the corporate agenda.  The 10 years since the financial crisis have given it an additional impetus which has ensured RI is now firmly embedded right at the heart of the debate on the role of business.

ESG investing key benefits

Investors aim to achieve positive impact through corporate engagement with an emphasis on community, sustainability and workplace diversity.  Therefore, Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance (‘ESG’) investing means different things to different people.  However, a common thread is investors using a portion of their investments to provide future portfolio growth and to support issues, causes and practices that may lead to a better society.

Date added: 16-11-2018

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Robeco - Fact-checking nine common ideas about sustainability investing

Interest in sustainability investing has picked up massively in recent years, and with the growing interest has come a growing misconception of what people think it means.

Some still think it is a niche form of investing, or they believe that environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues are not relevant for all asset classes or markets. And many remain convinced that using sustainability harms performance, partly because of a related and equally incorrect idea that it only involves negative screening through exclusions.

Date added: 27-07-2018

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Allianz - Sustainability Report

Sustainability is an integral part of our business and value system. This makes Allianz shares and bonds attractive investments for investors who pursue a socially responsible investment (SRI) approach.

Date added: 25-07-2018

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TATA - We Dream of a Better World

his report by the Tata group represents a useful resource in terms of helping business understand the relevance of the SDG agenda, and acting as a source of inspiration for action. It underlines key ways in which business can contribute to the realization of each of the 17 SDGs, while also articulating the business opportunities that the goals represents. It also highlights 65 separate case studies which highlight different ways in which the Tata group is working to align with the SDGs globally throughout its various operations.

Date added: 17-07-2018

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Accelerating SDGs through ICT: 2018 ICT SDG Benchmark

This report leverages detailed data analysis and a series of case studies to highlight the pivotal role that the ICT sector has to play with regard to the realization of the SDGs. It also presents a benchmark which explores the degree to which a selection of 49 countries are currently leveraging ICT in the context of achieving sustainable development. The study represents a useful tool for both the public and private sectors to help identify opportunities for the further deployment of ICT solutions to tackle environmental, social and economic challenges globally

Date added: 17-07-2018

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Taking on Sustainable Development in Germany: A business view on the SDGs

This White Paper outlines why the SDGs are important and relevant for business in Germany. It advocates for an open dialog between business and all relevant stakeholders to discuss the operationalization of the 2030 Agenda and to support the achievement of the SDGs. The report includes short case examples of German companies, including: BASF, Deutsche Bahn, Covestro, Evonik, SAP and Siemens among others.

Date added: 17-07-2018

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Business and the SDGs : A survey of WBCSD members and Global Network partners

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) & DNV GL have conducted a global survey to explore trends around how business is currently working to align activities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This survey drew responses from around 250 companies across 43 countries and four continents. 

Date added: 17-07-2018

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Sustainable investing in Rio de Janeiro

The EEB Laboratory brought together specialists and representatives from several parts of the construction sectors in Rio de Janeiro, including investors, architects, engineering companies, building management companies, users and public authorities. Through inter-sectoral discussions, four main areas of action were identified:

Knowledge and perception of value (of the benefits of energy  efficiency); Capacity-building of the workforce; Investment and financing; Public policies and regulation.

Based on the knowledge acquired from the exchange of ideas between the various representatives of the construction sector, and considering the four key areas of action, it was possible to identify the main barriers and to prepare recommendations for actions to foster the development of energy efficiency in buildings in the Rio de Janeiro city. This data was used to create a Roadmap for transforming Energy Efficiency in the city of Rio de Janeiro, and identifies the main challenges and propose actions for each area.”

Date added: 17-07-2018

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Understanding public sector pension scheme asset allocation: The case for ESG integration

An ESG investing approach where investors seek long-term competitive returns while simultaneously creating positive societal impact.

Until now, for the LGPS being a “socially responsible” investor meant avoiding investments in companies whose products or services were “unethical.”  This includes companies that produced alcohol or tobacco, advocated gambling, manufactured weapons or burned fossil fuels and harmed the environment.  Continuing with this trend, investment managers now proactively screen for a wide range of ESG factors for potential long-term advantages.  With almost 80 percent of institutional investors incorporating ESG factors into their decision-making, “socially responsible” investors increasingly seek opportunities that contribute positively to society to generate sustainable and financial value.  Given this spike in interest and demand, we hope this report assists LGPS officers about key ESG investing topics today.

Date added: 01-12-2017

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Impax - Environmental Impact Report 2017

Impact investing is gaining momentum, In this report we set out: especially in liquid asset classes. Many investors are not only interested in making superior, long-term, risk-adjusted returns, but in also ensuring that their investments have a positive impact on the environment. 

Date added: 30-11-2017

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The 2017 Climate Survey Evaluating Progress on Climate Change

Two years after the breakthrough achievement of the Paris Agreement, we asked global sustainability experts representing business, government, NGOs and academia to evaluate progress made by the global community on addressing climate change generally and implementing the Agreement specifically. Our expert panel’s assessment is bleak. 

Date added: 24-11-2017

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Schroders - Global investor study Global perspectives on sustainable investing 2017

Sustainable investing has become more important in recent years to people who invest around the globe. But there is still some way to go before the majority recognise sustainable investing as an effective means of having a positive impact on the world. 

Date added: 23-11-2017

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Sustainable Investment and ESG: The past, the present and the future

FTSE Russell held a forum on the Past-Present-Future of Sustainable Investing. Market participants from across the globe came together with listed companies to hear about the evolution of investor ESG approaches and where to go from here as an industry.

Date added: 06-04-2017

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World Economic Forum - The New Plastics Economy Catalysing action

In January 2016, the World Economic Forum, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and McKinsey & Company published the report The New Plastics Economy – Rethinking the future of plastics. It was produced as part of MainStream – a multi-industry, global initiative which aims to accelerate business-driven innovations and help scale the circular economy. For the first time, the report provided transparency on global plastics material flows and associated economics. It found that, while plastics and plastic packaging are a key part of the global economy, the current plastics economy has significant drawbacks that are becoming more apparent by the day. In addition, it presented a blueprint for a more effective plastics system based on circular economy principles – in effect, a New Plastics Economy.

Date added: 17-01-2017

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A Sustainable Finance Plan for the European Union

This document has been developed by E3G as part of a joint initiative with 2 Degrees Investing Initiative, Ario Advisory, Carbon Tracker Initiative, ClientEarth, Climate Bonds Initiative, Climate Disclosure Standards Board, Eurosif, Future-Fit Foundation, Preventable Surprises, ShareAction, the University of Oxford Sustainable Finance Programme and WWF. 

Date added: 09-01-2017

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E3G - The EU Energy Union Legislative Package Benchmarks for Success

On 30 November 2016, the European Commission will launch a legislative package on energy. This represents a ‘once-in-a-decade’ set of reforms to the design of electricity markets, to renewables and energy efficiency targets and policies, and to the governance rules for planning and reporting on climate and energy. 

Date added: 09-01-2017

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LAPFF - Engaging for a Low Carbon Transition

The report sets out why a 2°C business model can be less risky than ‘business-as-usual’ for oil and gas companies and explains what this means for shareholder value.

Date added: 13-09-2016

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COP-21 in Paris – a guide for investors

COP-21 could be a turning point in the world’s response to climate change – governments have decided that there will be an agreement. How strong this agreement will be is the vexing question for the little time left before the deadline. This guide introduces investors to the UNFCCC process. 

Date added: 06-07-2016

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2016: From climate commitments to implementation

Guide to IIGCC's 2016 programmes and activities, featuring key policy interventions, corporate engagement initaitives and investor workshops on climate solutions.  

Date added: 06-07-2016

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Alliance Trust Investments - Sustainable Future Newsletter October 2015

In this issue, we feature highlights from the preceding months regarding companies we invest in, campaigns we are involved in, and the sustainable development themes we have been analysing.

Date added: 20-05-2016

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Alliance Trust Investments - Sustainable Future Newsletter February 2016

Investment returns across our product range were strong versus benchmarks and comparable funds*. This builds on a growing long-term history of strong investment returns, showing that investing in companies that do good, is simply a sensible investment strategy. For instance, our largest fund, the Sustainable Future Managed Fund, has beaten the average for its peer group over one, three, five, seven and ten years. For more on our funds performance read our Funds in Focus section on page six.

Date added: 20-05-2016

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Alliance Trust Investments- Sustainable Future Newsletter April 2016

The Sustainable Future funds invest in companies whose activities improve our lives or help to reduce the environmental impact from human activity. We believe that these companies will be more successful because of this approach and that we can, therefore, deliver strong investment returns alongside the positive impact of the companies in which we invest. 

Date added: 20-05-2016

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The Alliance Trust Sustainable Future fund range and UK Ethical Fund Position on sustainability and ethical issues

This document sets out the screening approach for the Alliance Trust Sustainable Future fund range, as well as for our UK Ethical Fund. These funds are primarily positively screened. We are looking for well managed companies that provide products or services that are more sustainable than the market and are set to benefit from a shift towards more sustainable development.

Date added: 20-05-2016

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United Nations - International Migration and Development: Contributions and Recommendations of the International System

Human mobility is a fact of life. People have always migrated to adapt to, or escape from, difficulties and disasters, or spurred by curiosity and dreams of a better life. What has brought particular attention to migration in recent years is the scale and complexity of movements, touching almost all countries around the world, catalysed by speed of information flow and means of transportation, and the increasing awareness of the countless developmental opportunities and challenges which mobility offers to migrants, their families, communities and societies at large.

Date added: 15-03-2016

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United Nations - How the United Nations System Supports Ambitious Action on Climate Change

This brochure has been jointly written and produced by some 40 United Nations (UN) specialized agencies, funds, programmes and other bodies that coordinate their respective activities on climate change. The brochure has one simple purpose: to show Governments and the public how the diverse entities of the UN system work together to support ambitious international action on climate change. It introduces the comprehensive and multidisciplinary projects and programmes undertaken by the UN system, many of them through partnerships involving UN and other international organizations, civil society, the private sector and academia. Given the extraordinary breadth and depth of these activities, the text provides representative examples to illustrate how the UN system is working globally, regionally and nationally around the world.

Date added: 15-03-2016

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Scottish Government - European Structural Funds A Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Scotland in Europe

This book is an overview of the 2007-2013 Programmes and also an introduction to the 2014-2020 Programmes. It includes case studies from both the European Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund.

Date added: 12-01-2016

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Scottish Government - One Million Acres by 2020

A report of the findings and recommended actions from the 1 Million Acre Short Life Working Group to deliver the target of achieving 1 million acres of land in community ownership by 2020.

Date added: 12-01-2016

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Developing an asset owner climate change strategy

This pilot framework offers a step-by-step approach for addressing climate change across three main strategies: engage, invest and avoid. Case studies outline existing examples of asset owner action, including several initiatives that have been started by project participants during the project.

Date added: 09-01-2016

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Environment Agency Pension Fund - Policy to address the impacts of climate change

Our objective is to ensure that our Fund’s investment portfolio and processes are compatible with keeping the global average temperature increase to remain below 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels, in-line with international government agreements.

Date added: 27-10-2015

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Towards a Stock-Flow Consistent Ecological Macroeconomics

This paper describes the challenge of modelling combined economic, ecological and financial systems and sets out a series of objectives for modelling the socio-economic transition towards sustainability. It highlights the modelling needs in relation to full employment, financial stability, and social equity under conditions of constrained resource consumption and ecological limits. It outlines the development of a dedicated system-dynamics model for describing Financial Assets and Liabilities in a Stock-Flow consistent Framework (FALSTAFF) and presents some hypothetical results calibrated for the Canadian economy. The selected scenarios illustrate the complex relationships between real and financial aspects of the macro-economy and allow some initial tests on the financial viability of green investment.

Date added: 06-10-2015

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Design Options for a Sustainable Financial Sector

Over 200 years ago, Adam Smith put forward the notion that individuals seeking to benefit themselves through trade were led as if by an invisible hand to a situation in which society as a whole could benefit. It can be argued, however, that social objectives such as sustainability and inclusiveness, do not emerge spontaneously through market forces. Such outcomes have to be designed through legal structures and institutions. In other words, for the invisible hand to operate, there needs to be a visible hand behind it. The financial inclusion experiment in South Africa provides lessons for the design of the type of financial sector required for the transition from greed to green.

Date added: 06-10-2015

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The Role of Policy-Driven Institutions in Developing National Financial Systems for Long-Term Growth

Policy-driven institutions such as national development banks (NDBs) and national green funds (NGFs) attract a growing interest to provide grants, credit-enhancement instruments or lend directly to project proponents in specific green sectors, with billions of dollars allocated by governments to support these interventions. As part of ongoing efforts to better understand their comparative effectiveness to deepen national financial systems, the paper discusses the role of NGFs in catalysing institutional innovations and facilitating access to long-term affordable finance for green, low carbon and climate resilient investment. It argues that the key added value of NGFs might rest in their capacity to foster institutional innovations and partner with other financial and regulatory institutions to increase the diversity and depth of local financial markets in order to enhance the domestic supply of green finance.

Date added: 06-10-2015

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