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Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

publications

Our latest thought leadership and research aims to inform and equip decision makers across business, finance and policy to lay the foundations for a sustainable economy. 

Read more at: The ClimateWise Principles Independent Review 2025

The ClimateWise Principles Independent Review 2025

3 February 2026 - The ClimateWise Principles Independent Review for 2025 reveals momentum building on transition plans and a culture of continued improvement, despite a complex external environment. the-climatewise-principles-2025-cover.jpg Download the ClimateWise Principles Independent Review...


Read more at: CISL’s Annual Review 2024 - 25

CISL’s Annual Review 2024 - 25

28 January 2026 - This report sets out examples of how CISL has worked over the past year with leaders and innovators across business, finance and government to shape the markets of the future. cisl-annual-review-2025-cover.png Download the report. About 2025 was the year sustainability stopped...


Read more at: Assessing South Africa’s G20 Presidency at a time of geo-political turbulence

Assessing South Africa’s G20 Presidency at a time of geo-political turbulence

27 January 2026 – This paper reviews South Africa’s 2025 G20 Presidency and assesses how it advanced a Global South–led development agenda amid global geopolitical fragmentation and constrained cooperation. continuity_progress_for_africa_cover.jpg Download the paper This report from the University...


Read more at: Leadership Capabilities for the 21st Century: Thriving in an age of disruption

Leadership Capabilities for the 21st Century: Thriving in an age of disruption

11 December 2025 – In a turbulent age, effective leadership uses the energy and opportunity of disruption to create more thriving economies, societies and futures. This report updates the Leadership Capabilities for the 21st Century framework, published in 2023. It both incorporates feedback on its application in practice since publishing and explores the challenges and opportunities of leadership in the current context defined by disruption. It summarises the updates required and provides a revised relevant and practical framework and capabilities to influence leadership development and impact.


Read more at: Redefining Systemic Risk Governance in the Insurance Industry

Redefining Systemic Risk Governance in the Insurance Industry

4 December 2025 - A new report by ClimateWise provides a framework for insurers to drive co-ordinated governance to address financial system vulnerabilities


Read more at: Country Platforms in Africa and beyond - Transformational leadership for sustainable futures

Country Platforms in Africa and beyond - Transformational leadership for sustainable futures

21 October 2025 – This paper explores how country-led investment platforms in Africa can align development, climate and finance priorities through transformational leadership.


Read more at: Scaling Finance for Nature: A primer on what financial institutions are doing today

Scaling Finance for Nature: A primer on what financial institutions are doing today

6 October 2025 – A primer by CISL and A-Track partners examines what financial institutions can already do – today – to scale action on nature


Read more at: Improving diets of young children in the context of household nutrition in urban Kenya

Improving diets of young children in the context of household nutrition in urban Kenya

30 Sept 2025 – This policy brief, produced by CISL and Dalberg Research, examines factors shaping food consumption behaviours among urban households with children aged 6–23 months and highlights strategies to improve diets of young children as urbanisation proceeds in Kenya.


Read more at: Addressing nutrient and diet affordability gaps for families in Urban Kenya: Insights from Busia Kenya.

Addressing nutrient and diet affordability gaps for families in Urban Kenya: Insights from Busia Kenya.

30 Sept 2025 – This policy brief, produced by CISL, Save the Children (UK and Kenya), examines costs and affordability of nutritious diets for typical households with children aged 6–23 months in Busia Kenya, and highlights strategies for addressing diet affordability gaps for families with young children.


Read more at: Projected Impact of climate change on household diets in Kenya

Projected Impact of climate change on household diets in Kenya

30 Sept 2025 – This policy brief, produced by CISL and the University of Leeds, assesses the impacts of projected 2050 climate scenarios on food production and nutrition security in Kenya, using both national and subnational data from Busia County in Western Kenya.