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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. 

Market driven decarbonisation: The role of demand-led innovation in supporting emission reductions in foundation industries.

19 May 2023

24 May 2023 - A policy briefing by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) examines how UK markets can better drive decarbonisation in foundation industries such as steel, cement ands.

Roadmap: Identification and integration of nature-related risks and impacts in underwriting and insurance brokerage

4 April 2023

12 April 2023 – New roadmap from CISL’s ClimateWise charts a path for the insurance sector towards nature-positive underwriting and explores the industry’s role in supporting the transition of its clients towards a sustainable economy. 

The path towards a socially just Fit for 55 package: How have social elements of the Fit for 55 package evolved in the context of the climate, energy, and cost-of-living crises?

31 March 2023

March 2023 - This report was developed by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) to explore the ways social issues have been included in climate policies by the European Commission.

Innovation for Sustainability: The driving force of circular economy start-ups

21 March 2023

28 March 2023 – The Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and the Tsinghua-Cambridge Joint Research Initiative interviewed 60 start-up founders from various sectors to better understand the role of entrepreneurship in a circular economy transition. This new report offers insight into the alternative practices of innovative circular businesses seeking commercial success and positive social impacts that may not be achievable through classic commercial strategies.

The path to net zero: how SMEs can lead the way​

21 February 2023

22 February 2023 – The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), supported by Intuit and the We Mean Business Coalition (WMBC), spoke to 15 SMEs who have taken steps to decarbonise their business to share insight on the path to Net Zero for small and medium enterprises.

The ClimateWise Principles Independent Review for 2022

20 January 2023

23 January 2023 – The ClimateWise Principles Independent Review for 2022 sees scores continue to increase across the membership.

Financial innovation for SME net zero transition: Role of banks and buyers

6 January 2023

17 January 2023 – The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), We Mean Business Coalition (WMB) and the SME Climate Hub have published a new report highlighting the role of commercial banks and multi-national corporations in helping small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) reach net zero.

Competitive Sustainability Index: New Metrics for EU Competitiveness for an Economy in Transition

8 December 2022

8 December 2022 - The publication of the first edition of the Competitive Sustainability Index (CSI) has been welcomed by Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for the Economy, as a ground-breaking new approach to measuring the EU’s competitive sustainability performance, the EU’s strategy for global leadership in the sustainability transition.

CISL’s COP15 Briefing: Putting nature, wellbeing, and resilience at the heart of a new economic model

2 December 2022

7 December - Joint actions from governments, business, and finance are urgently needed to reset our relationship with nature, and the United Nation’s COP15 conference in Montreal is a pivotal opportunity to set a bold pathway. In its new COP15 Briefing, CISL presents three recommendations for driving nature-positive transformation. The briefing also highlights 15 practical steps that governments, business, and finance should take in this transformation journey.

Driving impact for a sustainable economy

24 November 2022

November 2022 - CISL’s first annual review takes a holistic approach in reviewing the impact of CISL’s work over the past year through its education programmes, research, policy engagement and outreach with startups & SMEs. It shows the progress made through our engagement with leaders and organisations across business, government and finance in helping to achieve net zero, protect and restore nature, and build inclusive and resilient societies

Contact

Adele Williams, Director of Communications  

Email | T: +44 (0)1223 768451