Digital library on sustainable finance
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This report by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) identifies and assesses climate risks and climate-related opportunities for Switzerland up to 2060. With the participation of numerous experts from administration, science, and business, the first "Climate Risk Analysis" from 2017 was comprehensively reviewed and updated in terms of content and methodology. The results serve as the basis for the Federal Council's future adaptation strategy and for the development of adaptation strategies and action plans in cantons and regions
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Climate Risk Analysis for Switzerland: Basis for adaptation to climate change - DE
Climate Risk Analysis for Switzerland: Basis for adaptation to climate change - FR
Climate Risk Analysis for Switzerland: Basis for adaptation to climate change - IT
Climate Risk Analysis for Switzerland: Basis for adaptation to climate change - EN
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In its latest report, the Swiss Bankers Association underscores the urgency of scaling up nature-related investment in Switzerland to counter rising environmental pressures, especially in sectors like water infrastructure and sustainable agriculture. As banks begin to incorporate nature-related risks and opportunities into their practices, many initiatives still fall short of financial viability. The report points to the need for stronger demand signals, creative financing solutions and more robust data and metrics to attract private investment.
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The EDHEC Climate Institute’s report, "How to Assign Probabilities to Climate Scenarios", presents a new framework for estimating the likelihood of future climate pathways. Using empirical mitigation data and economists’ Social Cost of Carbon estimates, the study applies a maximum-entropy method to avoid bias. It finds that the chance of limiting warming to 1.5 °C is just a few percent, with a likely outcome of 2.5 to 2.7 °C by 2100. The probability of exceeding 3 °C is between 20–40%, highlighting serious tipping point risks. The framework offers a more realistic basis for climate stress testing by investors, regulators, and policymakers
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The Finance & Nature Toolbox v1.0, Partnership for Biodiversity Accounting Financials (PBAF), offers practical guidance for financial institutions – including asset managers, investors, and banks – on integrating biodiversity into every stage of their loan and investment process: from setting priorities, policies, and targets to due diligence, agreement terms, active ownership, and exit decisions. It maps which assessment tools, databases, and publications are most suitable at each stage, helping users choose the right instruments for their biodiversity-related questions.
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The report surveys 96 EBRD partner banks across 32 economies to assess climate practice integration. Since 2021, climate awareness and green finance adoption have increased, with most banks viewing it as a growth opportunity. However, progress tracking and resource allocation remain challenges. Governance engagement varies, and only 23% of banks have fully developed transition plans. The findings highlight both progress and fragmentation, stressing the need for stronger capacity building and risk management.
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Climate transition of the financial sector: the state of play in the EBRD regions 2025 - EN
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This new guide by TNFD, in collaboration with Chapter Zero, Competent Boards, Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative and Green Finance Institute, is aimed at board members. It outlines 12 key questions they wish to ask in order to understand the materiality of nature for their operations.
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Asking Better Questions on Nature – For board directors - EN
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The Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) published several short-term climate scenarios that allow central banks and supervisors updated tools to assess near-term macro-financial risks form climate change for a three-year horizon.
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NGFS Short-term Climate Scenarios for central banks and supervisors - EN
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André Hofmann and Peter Vanham explain why the traditional way in which most companies operate is no longer sustainable for society or the planet. Drawing on real-world case studies, they present a compelling blueprint for achieving 'sustainable prosperity', showcasing companies that have adapted to change and flourished as a result.
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This research study delves into the challenges that Swiss banks have the capacity to achieve net-zero emissions in their mortgage portfolios by 2050. The study highlights a global concern that, without regulatory mandates, voluntary climate efforts by banks are likely insufficient to meet targets, risking setbacks in the fight against climate change.
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The 5th edition of the Private Asset Impact Fund (PAIF) Report from Tameo analyses the private asset impact investing market, covering 798 funds and 468 managers. It highlights the dominance of private equity, Luxembourg’s growing role, and strong investment in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite a tough fundraising climate, the sector showed resilience with new funds, innovative strategies, and wider adoption of impact practices, pointing to steady momentum in sustainable finance.
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The Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth's Investor Guide to Systemic Investing explores how systems thinking can reshape investment strategies to tackle complex global challenges. It promotes a shift from isolated solutions to collaborative, long-term value creation across portfolios. Backed by practical tools and a growing community, it equips investors to align their capital with deeper, systemic impact.
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A recent study by Schroders and Oxford Saïd Business School's Rethinking Performance Initiative shows that impact investing can outperform, countering the idea that doing good limits returns. Using data from firms, it links impact materiality to stronger performance, with higher margins, job growth, and reinvestment proving purpose and profit can go hand in hand.
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A study by the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights surveyed 75 professionals and held 10 interviews to assess how European financial institutions address human rights. Covering banks, insurers, and asset managers across six countries, it focused on internal practices and client relations. Firms managing €14 trillion in assets took part.
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This report used a mixed-methods approach, combining a survey of 111 communication and sustainability practitioners with twelve in-depth expert interviews to investigate current ESG communication practices across various organizations. This report shows that organizations have not only institutionalized ESG communication by establishing dedicated ESG teams with experts who demonstrate considerable experience, but the corporations are also increasingly professionalizing their ESG communication practices. They are highly engaged in communicating E, S, and G-topics to various stakeholders (primarily employees, regulators, and leadership) and through a multitude of channels, notably via the corporate website and corporate reports.
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ESG Communication: Insights into Issue Management, Greenwashing, and Crisis Communication - EN
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For the third time, the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights has explored how financial institutions integrate human rights into their core business activities. Through research and discussions with practitioners and industry experts across Europe, the center has identified key trends, persistent challenges, and opportunities for progress. This study builds upon the findings of previous reports to assess the current state of human rights integration within financial decision-making.
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How Do Financial Institutions Address Human Rights in Their Core Business Activities? - EN
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Environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics increasingly inform a wide range of business and investment decisions. Based on the OECD’s collection and classification of over 2 000 metrics from eight major ESG rating products, this report assesses the scope, characteristics and comparability of ESG metrics.
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Private markets are developing rapidly worldwide and are becoming increasingly important as a source of capital for companies and investors. In Switzerland, asset managers already manage around CHF 360 billion in private market investments such as private equity, private credit and private infrastructure. This study by AMAS, SECA and BCG illustrates the potential of this booming asset class. At the same time, the study highlights measures to better exploit this potential so that Switzerland can strengthen its position as a leading financial centre and offer innovative companies a dynamic ecosystem. Of the CHF 360 billion managed in Switzerland, the majority is attributable to private equity (CHF 260 billion), followed by private credit and infrastructure investments (CHF 50 billion each). Swiss asset managers are strongly export-orientated: 75% of private market investments under management come from foreign investors
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Private Markets in Switzerland: Scaling Innovation & Growth - EN
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This report by FH Zentralschweiz highlights the importance of sustainable corporate financing in achieving global sustainability goals and securing long-term economic benefits. It provides detailed insights into various sustainable financing instruments, including green bonds, social bonds, sustainability-linked bonds, and green loans, emphasizing their role in promoting environmental and social responsibility.
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The ASIP ESG-Reporting Standard Version 1.1 provides guidelines for Swiss pension funds on how to incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into their investment decisions. The standard aims to promote transparency and accountability by requiring pension funds to report on their ESG practices and performance. It emphasizes the importance of considering ESG risks and opportunities as part of fiduciary duty and aims to enhance the sustainability of pension fund investments. The document also includes recommendations for improving the quality and consistency of ESG reporting among pension funds.
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The Study "Revenue alignment with the EU taxonomy regulation in developed markets" provides evidence on the capital market effects of the EU Taxonomy Regulation (TR). It introduces a new classification scheme to identify companies with environmentally sustainable economic activities and finds a significant TR alignment premium, indicating that investors are already applying the TR to allocate capital to TR-aligned companies. Furthermore, investor attention strengthens the association between TR alignment and realized stock returns, and that TR alignment has greater explanatory power for predicting stock returns than traditional ESG ratings. Additionally, the research highlights the importance of considering TR alignment in investment decisions to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.
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Revenue alignment with the EU taxonomy regulation in developed markets - EN
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As nature-related regulatory initiatives for banks are picking up globally, this report by UNEP FI and WWF helps make sense of these developments, and how broader policy frameworks interact. It highlights that at least 29 jurisdictions, representing over EUR 75 trillion in banking assets, have started to consider nature risk in their prudential frameworks. The report emphasizes the need for a broad coalition of actions across private and public sectors to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and live in harmony with nature by 2050. It also offers policy considerations and case studies for government policymakers to promote coherent and effective nature-related policies for the banking sector.
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Navigating Nature-related Regulations for Banks: Mapping the Policy Landscape - EN
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The report delves into the critical role forests play in global sustainability efforts and the financial risks associated with deforestation. It highlights how tropical forests are essential for carbon sequestration and biodiversity, holding around 70% of the global forest carbon sink power and home to 67% of all land-based biodiversity. Guidance for institutional investors on assessing and mitigating deforestation risks in their portfolios while capitalizing on nature-based opportunities is provided. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of biodiversity loss and climate change, urging investors to address both crises simultaneously.
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The Global Risks Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum reveals an increasingly fractured global landscape, where escalating geopolitical, environmental, societal, and technological challenges threaten stability and progress. The report presents findings from the Global Risks Perception Survey 2024-2025, capturing insights from over 900 experts worldwide. It analyzes global risks through three timeframes to support decision-makers in balancing current crises and longer-term priorities. The report highlights the need for collaborative efforts to address these multifaceted risks and ensure sustainable development.
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The ESMA Market Report on Costs and Performance of EU Retail Investment Products 2024 provides an analysis of the costs and performance of various retail investment products in the EU from January 2014 to December 2023. It highlights significant findings, including the increase in assets held by retail investors in UCITS, which reached approximately EUR 6.4 trillion in 2023. The report also addresses the European Commission's mandate for recurrent reporting on the costs and past performance of main categories of retail investment, insurance, and pension products. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the financial markets to ensure informed investment decisions.
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ESMA Market Report: Costs and Performance of EU Retail Investment Products 2024 - EN
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The importance of ESG risks for financial institutions cannot be overstated, as the financial sector is increasingly under scrutiny from regulators, investors and the public to uphold sustainable and ethical standards. The landscape of global finance is rapidly evolving, with a clear pivot towards sustainability that banks need to align with in order to remain competitive and compliant. This survey by KPMG assess where banks currently stand in terms of ESG risk management, providing critical insights for the global market.
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