FS Sustainability

Fixing Australia's complicated carbon market

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Australia's carbon market is "fragmented, inefficient and complicated," according to the Climate Change Authority (CCA).

COP27 preview: loss and damage, action on commitments

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   The next UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November is expected to focus on implementing commitments made at last year's conference, with the role of countries like Australia as well as investors and business to become enhanced.

APRA releases climate risk assessment results

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Almost 40% of banks, insurers and superannuation funds say climate-related events could have a "material or moderate impact on their direct operations," according to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

ESG product definitions a matter for legislation: ASIC

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   The Australian Securities and Investment Commission believes that standard definitions of ESG products and investments should be set by legislation.

Pact Group commits to reducing emissions 50% by 2030

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Pact Group has set a target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in Australia and New Zealand by 50% by 2030.

ESG strong factor in M&A activity: PwC

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   ESG considerations played an "unprecedented role" in the Australian mergers and acquisition market in 2021 and will continue to do so in future, according to PwC.

SGCH publishes first impact report

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   SGCH, NSW's largest community housing provider, has published its first impact report for investors and other stakeholders and prioritised three Sustainable Development Goals that align to its work.

Banksia Foundation National Awards highlight sustainable innovation

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   An organisation that uses wool waste as a sustainable packaging alternative to polystyrene plastic has taken out the Gold Banksia Award at the 33rd annual Banksia National Sustainability Awards.

Varying levels of progress on modern slavery: IAST APAC

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   APAC-based companies are at various stages of tackling modern slavery, from those coming to grips with the issue to those who are making progress in finding, fixing and preventing modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.

HESTA, ISPT invests in medical office development

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   HESTA and ISPT have invested $140 million to develop a medical office building in Melbourne, their first direct property acquisition in the healthcare and life sciences sector.

Uncovering value in ESG improvers: Pengana

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Investing in companies that are early in improving their ESG performance can be "more powerful" for investment returns than investing in companies which are already considered ESG leaders, according to Pengana Capital.

Does Canberra's agenda align with sustainable investment?

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Recently passed legislation to reduce carbon emissions 43% by 2030 in law is currently the most prominent example of the Labor government's new action on material ESG issues, but experts tell FS Sustainability that more is being done, even if it's not explicitly aligned to ESG or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

LGT Crestone hires head of sustainability

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   LGT Crestone Wealth Management has hired Amanda MacDonald as the head of sustainability.

UniSuper sustainability exec departs for Vanguard

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   UniSuper governance and sustainability manager Sybil Dixon is departing the fund after 14 years to join Vanguard.