ISF to collaborate with the MSCI Institute to support independent academic research with integrated climate risk data

Institute for Sustainable Finance (ISF) is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the MSCI Institute, which equips financial institutions, academic researchers, policymakers and NGOs with insights to help tackle systemic challenges through research, education and events.

High-quality independent academic research related to sustainable finance – particularly in accounting, finance, and management science – depends on robust, consistent, decision-useful data. Yet sustainability-related datasets are often fragmented, costly, difficult to access, or not comparable across firms and time, creating a persistent barrier to rigorous empirical research and evidence-based market insights.

“Data is the lifeblood of ISF’s work – but too often it is fragmented, costly, or unavailable,” said Maya Saryyeva, Director of ISF. “In sustainability research, lack of reliable data is frequently the biggest hurdle. The support from the MSCI Institute helps remove that constraint and is a meaningful contribution to ISF’s vision of being Canada’s most trusted source of sustainable finance knowledge.”

Daniel Cremin, Operating Officer of the MSCI Institute, said: “Through our Climate Data Knowledge Program, we’ll be equipping academics with the same investor-grade data and metrics used by asset owners and asset managers to measure, monitor, and mitigate climate-related financial risks. Beyond data, the program offers insight into how investors apply these datasets in practice, alongside access to research on emerging topics in climate finance.”

Data from the MSCI Institute will directly support the work of ISF academic staff and Research Fellows comprising finance and accounting faculty. They will be focusing on several research projects, including climate risk and mutual funds, the investment value of ESG data, and climate finance energy ratios. The data will underpin the largest share of ISF’s research portfolio on climate-related capital allocation, examining how risk assessment, pricing dynamics, and regulatory frameworks influence the flow of capital toward credible transition pathways in Canada, particularly in high-emitting and hard-to-abate sectors.