Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

Publications

Our thought leadership provides practical, evidence‑based insights to help decision‑makers across business, finance and policy lead change, shape markets and scale solutions.

183 results

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. Download the paperThis report from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) examines South Africa’s performan…
Leadership Capabilities for the 21st Century: Thriving in an age of disruption

11 December 2025 – In an age of turbulence, 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 …
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 vulnerabilitiesDownload the reportAboutClimateWise has published a new report outlining the critical role of insurers in advancing systemic risk governance.The research warns that whilst physical climate impac…
CLG Europe: 10 Business Principles for High-Integrity Nature-Based GHG removals

19 November 2025 - CLG Europe has released a new set of Business Principles for Nature-Based GHG removals, providing a clear blueprint for credible, responsible and science-aligned corporate investment in nature-based solutions. As nature loss and climate impacts accelerate, businesses are increasingly expected not only to reduce emissions but al…
Driving economic growth: How the UK’s climate targets unlock business action and investment

10 November 2025 - A briefing by CLG UK and We Mean Business Coalition examines how the UK’s updated 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) can drive growth, competitiveness and innovation, while managing climate risks and delivering a socially inclusive transition. Download the report About The UK’s updated 2035 Nationally Determined Cont…
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. Download the paperThis paper from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) analyses the emergence of country-led investment platforms as mec…
Business and investors call on the EU to deliver an effective Clean Industrial Deal

5 December 2025 - Over 140 businesses and investors from across Europe and the value chain, including Signify, Danish Chamber of Commerce, Mirova, Ingka Group, EDF, CCLA Investment Management, ACCIONA, ROCKWOOL, Vattenfall, VELUX, Volvo Cars, are calling EU policymakers to secure its future competitiveness and technological leadership through a cle…
B20 South Africa Recommendations: Get Real and Get Granular

15 October 2025 – This CISL Africa paper analyses B20 South Africa recommendations and outlines priorities for African business engagement in the G20 process Download the paper The 2025 South African G20 Presidency has operated under the theme Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability, and this paper from the University of Cambridge Institute for …
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 Download the reportAboutNature (positive) finance is often narrowly perceived only as nature conservation finance, or ‘financing green’ with low financial returns, making it unsuitable and unattractive for p…
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. Download the reportAboutDespite strong policy commitments, less than one t…
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. Download the reportAboutDiet affordabilit…
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. Download the reportAboutBy 2050, climate change is expected to reduce maize yields …
COP30 Business Statement by the Ibero-American Business Network for Green Growth

22 September 2025 – The Ibero-American Business Network for Green Growth has launched its COP30 statement at Climate Week NYC, calling on governments to create the conditions for a just, inclusive, prosperous and nature-positive energy transition in support of the global goal of tripling renewables by 2030. Read the IABN Statement here: En…
Finance, climate action plans and carbon markets: What to expect from COP30

11 September 2025 – Ahead of COP30 in November, CISL’s new briefing sets out the likely negotiations, the elements needed for a successful outcome, and the leadership we need to see to help shape a just, nature-positive and resilient global economy. These insights will be invaluable for businesses planning to engage with COP30, as well as policymak…
Business and investor voices issue a joint statement on the Omnibus initiative for EU sustainability rules

4 September 2025 – 475 businesses and investors urge the EU to uphold strong sustainability rules in the Omnibus package, warning that weakening them risks competitiveness and investor confidence. Read the statement here.As Members of the European Parliament prepare Parliament’s position and debate sweeping changes to the EU’s sustainability framew…

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Our thought leadership provides practical, evidence‑based insights to help decision‑makers across business, finance and policy lead change, shape markets and scale solutions.