Advancing the Industry’s Thinking on Sustainability Challenges
More Sustainability Content
CFA Institute Research and Policy Center is committed to providing investment professionals with tools and resources for understanding, measuring, and managing sustainability-related risks and opportunities; meeting client demands; and complying with regulatory requirements.
Our research covers an array of sustainability-related topics, including biodiversity, human capital, climate risk, net zero commitment issues, and environmental, social, and governance investment approaches and performance data. Our advocacy efforts and standards advance sustainability-related ethics, professional conduct, and market integrity.
Research Report
Guidance for Integrating ESG Information into Equity Analysis and Research Reports
A concise guide on how to identify ESG information, assess materiality, integrate ESG information into equity analysis, and present ESG information in research reports.
Financial Analysts Journal
Green Parity and the Decarbonization of Corporate Bond Portfolios
Based on an investment universe for the 2017–2021 period, this study examines different strategies that corporate bond investors can apply to achieve decarbonization goals. Analysis finds that a “Green Parity” strategy yields the best performance.
Financial Analysts Journal
Applying Economics—Not Gut Feel—to ESG
Mainstream economics can be applied to ESG once we realize that it is no different from other investments that create financial and social value. This paper overturns conventional thinking on 10 key ESG issues by applying sound economic principles.
Featured Blog
Policy in Action
Position Paper
CFA Institute Position Statement on ESG
Read CFA Institute’s positions on environmental, social, and governance integration in the investment process
Comment Letters
CFA Institute Comment Letters
We respond to current issues and proposed regulations and legislation related to sustainability-related ethical conduct, professional standards, and integrity in capital markets.
Sustainability Regulations and Standards
The ISSB Launches its Debut Sustainability Standards
The ISSB has launched its first two sustainability standards, which incorporate recommendations from the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. The standards enhance the usefulness of information entities disclose about their sustainability and climate-related risks and opportunities, thus enhancing the efficiency of global markets.
Be Informed
Podcast
Spencer Glendon: The Role of Climate in Shaping the Future of Business
In this episode of the Sustainability Story, host Andres Vinelli interviews Dr. Spencer Glendon, founder of Probable Futures—a nonprofit organization focused on climate science accessibility from the CFA Institute Climate Risk and Returns conference. Dr. Glendon, an expert on climate change with a background in finance and economics, shares his journey and the importance of climate literacy. He explains the importance of climate literacy and how it intersects with environmental issues.
Podcast
Julian Kölbel: Cutting through the Confusion on ESG Ratings and What Works in Impact Investing
In this episode of the Sustainability Story, we tackle two areas of mass confusion in the world of sustainable investing: what should be done about the divergence in ESG ratings, and what works and doesn't work in impact investing. Deborah Kidd, CFA, talks with Dr. Julian Kölbel, Assistant Professor in Sustainable Finance at the Center for Financial Services Innovation at the University of St. Gallen and Research Associate at MIT Sloan, where he co-founded the Aggregate Confusion Project.