RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Australia can implement a net-zero national energy market with renewable energy that is both affordable and reliable, but committing to go zero emissions makes little economic sense at this time, according to the Grattan Institute.RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   A major corporate superannuation fund has joined the ranks of super funds announcing plans to achieve net zero greenhouse carbon emissions by 2050.

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   One of the largest global fund managers will up the ante on companies by voting against directors of companies - including ASX100 companies - that are showing underperformance on material ESG issues.RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Super funds that display ESG characteristics on average have women comprising 40% of trustee positions on fund boards and 44% of executive teams, according to research from Rainmaker Information.

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   The New Zealand government has introduced world-first legislation that will require listed companies, banks, insurers and fund managers to make public climate risk-related disclosures.RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Supermarket giant Coles has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by more than 75% by 2030 and is aiming to do so without carbon offsets.

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   National Australia Bank has taken part in the first syndicated Sustainability Linked Loan to a UK-based not-for-profit provider of housing and care for older people.RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   A firm founded by ex-managers from Goldman Sachs and Bankers Trust are launching a $150 million impact fund to invest in small and medium-sized Australian businesses.

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Westpac has structured a $350 million sustainability-linked loan (SLL) that ties the interest rate to how a company performs on social issues that are material to the company's performance.RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Modern slavery, climate change and decarbonisation, engagement with indigenous people, waste and good corporate culture were key topics of engagement for Ausbil Investment Management.

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   State Street Corporation has established an ESG-aware commingled cash collateral reinvestment strategy for clients of its agency lending program.RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   As the depth and size of the global green bond market has grown in the past decade, it is evolving towards a more regulated definition of "green-ness" and ability to achieve carbon reduction aims, according to BNP Paribas Asset Management.

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   BlackRock have hired Emily Woodland as one of two co-heads of Blackrock Sustainable Investing (BSI) for Asia Pacific.RACHEL ALEMBAKIS   Loomis, Sayles & Company has promoted three people to new roles related to the firm's environmental, social and corporate governance work.