Digital library on sustainable finance
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responsAbility’s "Micro and SME Finance Market Outlook", which has been published each year since 2010, explores global developments in the microfinance industry and produces forecasts for the next 12-14 months. For the 2017 edition of the publication, the universe covered in the analysis was expanded to include SME banks for the first time.
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This is a global study that analyses the impact of responsible investment-related public policy initiatives. They identify almost 300 policy instruments globally that support investors taking longer-term views and mind some evidence that such policies drive better ESG performance by companies. Although currently, the report finds rather weak implementation, there are signs that governments are beginning to link sustainability and capital markets policy.
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To help identify the information needed by investors, lenders, and insurance underwriters to appropriately assess and price climate-related risks and opportunities, the Financial Stability Board established an industry-led task force: the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (Task Force). The Task Force was asked to develop voluntary, consistent climate-related financial disclosures that would be useful to investors, lenders, and insurance underwriters in understanding material risks. In this report, the Task Force presents four widely adoptable recommendations on climate-related financial disclosures that are applicable to organizations across sectors and jurisdictions. Importantly, the Task Force’s recommendations apply to financial sector organizations, including banks, insurance companies, asset managers, and asset owners.
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Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures - EN
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CISL has facilitated this report with ClimateWise, a growing global network of over 30 leading insurers, reinsurers, brokers and industry service providers with a voluntary, shared commitment to reduce the impactof climate change on both society and the insurance industry. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between the insurance industry, its investment activities and its potential support for climate resilience. This has been addressed through an overview of the existing and potential capabilities within the insurance industry’s asset management, underwriting and risk management activities that could promote broader societal resilience to climate risk. This report is intended to act as a foundation for further research and discussion across this crucial area. In order to provide a broad overview, we engaged with a wide range of stakeholders across the industry’s underwriting and asset management activities, as well as a variety of external stakeholders including representatives from rating agencies, engineering firms and central and local governments.
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As of November 2016, 271 cities in developing countries had committed to developing climate mitigation and adaptation plans. However, they currently have limited access to the capital necessary to implement these plans. This report offers a strategic guide for cities in developing countries to access green bond market flows, a potential source of finance for cities in developing countries looking to secure investment in low-carbon, climate-resilient infrastructure to meet the water, energy, housing and transportation needs of their expanding urban populations.
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Green-Bonds-for-Cities-A-Strategic-Guide-for-City-level-Policymakers-in-Developing-Countries (pdf 780.3 kB)Summary
The 2016 study covers 13 different European markets and reports on the state of the sustainable investment market as of the end of 2015.
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This report was commissioned by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment. It expands the knowledge about determining the climate impact of finance flows, and also examines the performance of investment strategies that are more climate-friendly.
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Climate-friendly investment strategies and performance (Summary) - DE
Climate-friendly investment strategies and performance (Summary) - EN
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Climate change, and the new risks and opportunities emerging from it are of high interest to policymakers, regulators, investors, corporations, and others. Similarly, the solution to climate change involves diverse communities acting together towards common goals, including the crucial role of business. This new report on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trends from 3,500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the world is intended to help clarify trends and opportunities in this group of actors and their value chains. These companies account for about 20% of global annual emissions (without even including their value chains). As with four previous GHG trends reports, this new report examines how much emissions have increased or decreased over the most recent four-year period from this group of companies.
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Global 3500 Greenhouse Gas Performance 2010-2015 - Key Trends & Opportunities for Leadership - EN
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With trillions of USD expected investments in infrastructure over the next 15 years, it will be important to finance the right kind of projects to tackle three important challenges: reigniting global growth, meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reducing climate risk. Read this comprehensive report to learn more about the decisions that need to be made regarding our infrastructure investments and mobilising the right capital for the right projects.
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With input of SSF CEO Sabine Döbeli on the role of insurance and financial services (see page 139).
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Brennpunkt Klima Schweiz - Grundlagen, Folgen und Perspektiven - DE
Brennpunkt Klima Schweiz - Grundlagen, Folgen und Perspektiven - FR
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Swiss Sustainable Finance has prepared a handbook on sustainable investments for Swiss institutional asset owners. The handbook contains relevant information for institutional asset owners and consists of 21 chapters, 8 case studies, a glossary, and over 30 visuals. It offers a comprehensive overview of the various available sustainable investment strategies and it contains concrete tips helpful in implementing a sustainable investment policy.
One year after the publication of the handbook in German and French, SSF updated and translated the publication into English
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The Federal Council names five key thrusts of the financial market policy, which demonstrate how the Swiss financial centre's opportunities and challenges will be addressed and how the centre's competitiveness should be maintained. The chapter on "innovation" states that the financial market policy should play a supportive role also in the area of sustainable investments.
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Financial market policy for a competitive Swiss financial centre - DE
Financial market policy for a competitive Swiss financial centre - FR
Financial market policy for a competitive Swiss financial centre - IT
Financial market policy for a competitive Swiss financial centre - EN
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This paper gives an overview of the most relevant sustainable finance trends and initiatives, focusing on sustainable investing. It explains the important role of the financial regulator in advancing sustainable financial markets. The purpose of this publication is to provide a brief overview and to stimulate further discussion and interest.
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Beyond growth: Sustainability of our planet - Private sector finance initiatives - EN
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This guidance document sets out remunderation policy guidelines that apply to management companies and investment companies under the Undertakings for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities (Ucits).
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Guidelines on sound remuneration policies under the UCITS Directive - IT
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Chapter 6.9 focusses on voluntary measures that the financial sector could undertake to re-orient the capital flows towards a low-carbon economy.
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Swiss Climate Policy revision linked to Paris Agreement - DE
Swiss Climate Policy revision linked to Paris Agreement - FR
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This annual study aims to provide an overview on market trends and peer group analysis on microfinance offshore investments. This 10th edition, is based on December 2015 financial and social performance indicators reported by nearly all microfinance investment vehicles (MIVs). It concludes that the the 93 participating MIV's had USD 11 billion AuM; thus nearly quintupled over the last 10 years.
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This report suggests 5 steps to transform tomorrow's global financial system to include financing for sustainable development. This is in light of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement, as they are the most ambitious multilateral goals ever agreed on. The steps range from financial market reform to mobilizing technology to building capabilities, tools and standards.
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Financing Sustainable Development - Moving from momentum to transformation in a time of turmoil - EN
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This report provides a picture of sustainability initiatives implemented by stock exchanges and regulatory bodies around the world. It seeks to highlight current good practices, trends, opportunities and challenges.
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This BlackRock study details how investors can mitigate climate risks, exploit opportunities or have a positive impact. They conclude that climate-aware investing is possible without compromising on traditional goals of maximizing investment returns.
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Adapting portfolios to climate change - Implications and strategies for all investors - EN
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There is an urgent need to mobilise unprecedented resources to achieve the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The private sector can be a powerful promoter of sustainable development. Companies provide jobs, infrastructure, innovation and social services, among others. Increasingly, investments in developing countries – even in the least developed countries – are seen as business opportunities, despite the risks involved. The public sector can leverage the private sector contribution, helping to manage risk and providing insights into effective policy and practice. The Development Co-operation Report 2016 explores the potential and challenges of investing in developing countries, in particular through social impact investment, blended finance and foreign direct investment.
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In this White Paper, the authors take stock of sustainable finance in Switzerland. They characterize potential drivers of sustainability and also discuss business interests and challenges related to incorporating sustainability considerations into the activities of Swiss financial sector players. Their analysis suggests that, apart from a range of specialized institutions and initiatives, the Swiss financial sector as a whole is currently not an international leader in terms of sustainable finance. An important implication of their study is that more high-level endorsement, leadership, and decisive action by all the major players of the Swiss financial sector is needed in order to strengthen Switzerland’s international position in the sustainable finance world.
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Swiss Finance Institute White Paper - Sustainable Finance in Switzerland: Where do we stand? - EN
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Die 8. Ausgabe der zRating-Studie zu Corporate Governance in Schweizer Publikumsgesellschaften hat die Corporate Governance von 171 börsenkotierten Schweizer Gesellschaften anhand von 62 Kriterien analysiert.
Geberit steht vor Ascom an der Spitze der diesjährigen Rangliste.
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Das BMF hat ein Gutachten über Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf den deutschen Finanzsektor in Auftrag gegeben.
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This report highlights the connection between measuring the social and environmental performance of impact investments and the application of these data to generate business value for investors and investees. 30 practitioners were interviewed for this report who provided detailed insights into how they maximize impact based on social and environmental KPIs.
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Since it was introduced in 2002, the “Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance” has strongly influenced the development of corporate governance in Switzerland and has proven to be an effective instrument of self-regulation.
It emphasises in particular the concept of sustainable corporate success as the lodestar of sensible “corporate social responsibility”. It also prescribes specific modifications to the composition of the Board of Directors (including representation of women) and to risk management (incl. compliance).
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Swiss code of best practice for corporate governance - DE
