Publications

5 February 2026 – As citizens across G7 countries are losing belief in the future, leaders face increasing difficulty in taking bold action on climate change and nature loss. A new report, produced by CISL and Zero Ideas, explores how to rebuild public support by restoring human progress as a motivating vision, one that resonates with citizens, pro…

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.Download the ClimateWise Principles Independent ReviewAboutThe ClimateWise Principles have provided a framework for the insurance industry to disclose c…

Dr. Nina Seega – Director, Centre for Sustainable Finance, CISL, said: “In a year marked by a global recalibration of sustainability reporting, it is encouraging to see the insurance industry moving forward with quiet determination. Seeing such a strong baseline in our first-ever assessment of transition plans is particularly heartening. It shows t…

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.Download the report.About2025 was the year sustainability stopped sitting comfortably in the world of global goals, models of change, flagship projects, glos…

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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…

 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…

 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 …

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…

29 July 2025 – A new report by CISL commissioned by Cambridge City Council with funding from the Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund identifies actionable strategies for scaling up energy efficiency and low carbon technology retrofits across Greater Cambridge, in support of the Council’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 20…

24 July 2025 – The first in our new Future Visions series, a new report by CISL Fellow Paul Gilding argues that a major market-driven disruption of the global food system is not only imminent but already underway, challenging industry assumptions and highlighting both the risks and opportunities of inevitable transformation.   Download the reportAb…