This study examines how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks intersect with climate-related disasters and social inequality. While ESG practices are promoted to enhance corporate accountability and resilience, their implications for disaster risk reduction and equity remain underexplored. We conduct a structured literature review across four intersections: ESG–disasters, ESG–inequality, disasters–inequality, and their combined nexus. This systematic review analyzes 269 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and bibliometric co-word mapping to identify thematic clusters across ESG, disaster, and inequality research. Findings show that ESG has been widely analyzed in risk disclosure, green finance, and accountability but less in addressing inequality. Disaster–inequality studies highlight vulnerable groups at heightened risk, yet few works integrate all three areas. This review highlights the need for greater integration among ESG, disaster, and inequality frameworks. Ultimately, ESG should be understood not only as a reporting tool but also as a driver of equitable resilience.

This study investigates the potential of Climate Transition Bonds as strategic financial instruments in promoting green transformations within Japan’s carbon-intensive sectors. Through a qualitative case study approach, we assess four prominent bond issuances—Japan Government Bonds, MUFG Bonds, TEPCO Bonds, and SMBC Bonds—focusing on their contributions to emissions reduction, renewable energy expansion, and technological innovation. The analysis reveals that these bonds play a pivotal role in enabling Japan to advance its carbon neutrality goals by financing key decarbonization projects. However, significant challenges persist, including the limited scalability of emerging technologies, disparities in economic benefits across sectors, and governance inefficiencies that may hinder optimal outcomes. The findings underscore the necessity of refining collaborative governance frameworks to enhance transparency, stakeholder inclusivity and regulatory oversight in the deployment of these bonds. This paper contributes to the discourse on sustainable finance by elucidating the policy implications of climate transition bonds, proposing avenues for improved governance, and highlighting the structural adjustments required to align these financial mechanisms with Japan’s long-term sustainability objectives.

The expansion of the online food services (collectively referred to as ‘OFS’) sector has been accelerating at high rates worldwide over the last few years. This sector is widely acknowledged, especially by urban consumers, for making life more convenient. During the strict lockdown following the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OFS sector saw major growth, as many restaurants and grocery stores turned to the delivery format. Conversely, the sector has also been facing many challenges, which have lasting social, economic, and environmental impacts. Considering this situation, this study carried out a review of existing literature on the social, environmental, and economic impacts of OFS and explored the resilience gaps of this fast-growing food service business. To achieve this, relevant literature was collected through Elsevier’s SCOPUS database and other sources. The authors have documented specific social, environmental, and economic impacts of OFS on consumers and providers. Furthermore, various changes in this sector following the pandemic have also been underlined in this study. A combination of policy actions at the national, local, private sector, and individual levels is crucial to mitigate the adverse impact of OFS; hence, greater resilience will be ensured.