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The document provides legal proposals to integrate environmental rights into the LBI, emphasizing the need to hold transnational corporations accountable for environmental degradation and climate change. It advocates for the recognition of the RtHE, the inclusion of the financial and extractive sectors in the LBI's scope, and the implementation of strict liability for hazardous activities. The briefing also highlights the necessity of protecting environmental human rights defenders and ensuring that human rights obligations take primacy over trade and investment agreements.

The document advocates for the inclusion of all financial institutions—including banks, insurers, asset managers, and institutional investors—within the scope of the CSDDD. It argues that the sector's immense scale and influence make it integral to preventing human rights and environmental harms. The briefing highlights that excluding the sector would contradict UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines, and would leave a gap in conduct requirements that existing EU regulations like the SFDR and CSRD do not fill. It recommends that the CSDDD explicitly cover financing, investment, and advisory activities, while allowing for proportionate differentiation in how different types of financial entities meet their obligations without diluting the fundamental duties.

Reclaim Finance reports that the Paris financial center's transition away from coal has stalled, with many institutions maintaining weak policies or continuing to support coal developers. The analysis highlights gaps in exclusion criteria, the failure of passive funds to exclude fossil fuel bonds, and a lack of comprehensive exit plan requirements for portfolio companies. The document criticizes the French government for failing to legislate or enforce these commitments despite warnings from regulators.

A coalition of NGOs and unions welcomes the European Parliament's vote on the corporate due diligence directive but warns that the text has been weakened by private sector lobbies. They specifically highlight the removal of the reversal of the burden of proof, which they argue hinders access to justice for affected communities and workers, and note weaknesses regarding the financial sector and civil liability.

The document urges investors to use the 2023 annual general meeting season to pressure high-emitting companies to improve their climate strategies and transparency. It outlines three types of resolutions for investors to focus on: 'Say on Climate' proposals from management, shareholder-led climate resolutions, and standard governance resolutions (such as director mandates and remuneration) which should now incorporate climate change as a strategic theme. Additionally, the briefing offers sample written questions for companies in the energy, power generation, and finance sectors.

Reclaim Finance assesses Maybank's May 2021 announcement of its first coal sector financing exclusions, concluding that the policy is too limited because it focuses on new coal mining rather than new coal plants and lacks a phase-out commitment. The analysis notes that Maybank provided at least US$1.7 billion to the coal sector between 2018 and 2020 and currently supports companies planning 13.2 GW of additional coal capacity. The author urges Maybank to end all support for coal expansion and exit the sector by 2040.

Reclaim Finance reports that the Paris financial centre has failed to meet its mid-2020 deadline for coal exit strategies, with only about ten French financial actors adopting sufficiently robust policies. The analysis specifically criticizes Société Générale for policies that exempt companies with coal exposure under 25%, arguing that such gaps prevent a genuine transition to zero coal.

Reclaim Finance argues that the Paris financial center has failed its commitment to implement effective coal exit strategies by mid-2020. While some institutions like AXA and Crédit Agricole/Amundi have adopted strong policies, many others, notably Société Générale, are criticized for insufficient policies that do not require companies to establish closure plans for coal infrastructure. The author warns against 'greenwashing' and the substitution of 'exit' policies with weaker 'exclusion' policies.

The report analyzes the coal and shale oil and gas policies announced in May 2020 by BNP Paribas, Natixis, Rothschild & Co, Société Générale, and Crédit Agricole. It concludes that while some institutions like Natixis have made progress toward coal phase-out, many commitments remain insufficient due to narrow scopes, the exclusion of oil and gas majors, or a lack of firm disinvestment strategies. Notably, Société Générale is criticized for postponing action and continuing to support shale gas development.

The executive coaching market in Nigeria is described as nascent and significantly underdeveloped, with a critical shortage of accredited professionals capable of serving senior financial leaders. While there is high latent demand among HR directors, effective demand remains low due to a cultural belief in the 'infallible leader' and a lack of understanding regarding the business value of coaching. The report recommends strengthening local accreditation routes through institutions like Lagos Business School and stimulating demand by creating local case studies and exposing high-profile financial sector leaders to coaching interventions.

The Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) implemented a multi-year strategy to embed a coaching culture, targeting a workforce where 65% of staff are Generation Y. The initiative involved training 85 managers in coaching skills in 2014, followed by the 2015 'Managers as Mentors' programme where 15 managers received professional certification from the Academy of Executive Coaches (AoEC). These certified coaches supported staff through 360-degree feedback processes and provided one-on-one coaching. Early impacts include increased staff openness, greater empowerment in decision-making, and a shift from managers providing solutions to guiding staff to find their own. CBA aims to have 40% of its staff trained as coaches by 2018 to ensure a sustainable internal resource.

The report details how two Kenyan financial institutions, Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) and Jubilee Insurance, integrated executive coaching to address leadership gaps and workforce demographic shifts. CBA focused on creating a sustainable internal coaching culture by certifying managers and training line managers in coaching skills. Jubilee Insurance implemented a three-phased leadership programme involving self-assessment, 360-degree feedback, and planned internal coach development. Both institutions reported improvements in staff engagement, leadership cohesion, and a shift toward solution-focused management, with Jubilee specifically noting increases in revenue and productivity per employee.

South Africa's FDI environment is characterized by a transition from a liberal, open-door policy to a regime that prioritizes domestic socio-economic benefits, such as fighting unemployment and promoting inclusive growth. While the country offers a strategic gateway to the SADC region and possesses strong mining, finance, and retail sectors, it faces challenges in attracting manufacturing FDI due to high labor costs, technical skills shortages, and infrastructure constraints. Recent trends show volatile FDI flows, with a shift toward investments from developing Asia, though greenfield investment remains persistently low compared to mergers and acquisitions.

The Jubilee Insurance Company of Kenya Limited implemented a three-phased leadership development programme starting in 2013-14 to address challenges such as low staff morale and poor communication. The programme progressed from personality assessments and 360° surveys to a planned phase of building internal coaching capabilities. Early results indicate improvements in leadership cohesion, employee engagement, and business metrics, including a revenue increase from Kes. 15.48 billion in 2013 to Kes. 21.17 billion in 2014 and a reduction in staff turnover from 15% in 2012 to 10.7% in 2015.

The report analyzes South African foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mozambique, noting that while South Africa was the primary investor (49% of FDI from 1997-2002), businesses face significant hurdles. Key obstacles include systemic corruption, inefficient bureaucracy, a weak judiciary, and high import taxes. While large-scale projects like Mozal and Sasol succeeded through high-level government support, smaller firms are more exposed to 'small corruption' and bureaucratic delays. The document highlights a stark geographic imbalance in investment, with the majority concentrated in Maputo, and calls for structural reforms in land rights, infrastructure, and the financial sector to foster sustainable growth.

The paper presents a wildfire prediction and loss assessment framework designed for the financial sector, using a case study of five crops in Yunnan Province. It finds that historical annual losses for these crops ranged from US$135.8 million to $254.8 million between 2011 and 2020, with extreme events causing 15 to 30 percent of annual losses. Future projections indicate a shift in the peak Fire Weather Index (FWI) from March/April to February/March, with the SSP2-45 scenario showing the highest mean FWI. The study notes that financial institutions in Yunnan lack the capacity to manage these risks, though insurance companies and banks show interest in integrating physical climate risk analysis for parametric insurance and credit risk management.