FS Sustainability

Non-profit urges Australia to step up ahead of COP31

KARREN VERGARA   A global non-profit is urging Australia to commit to concrete steps towards a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels and accelerate the expansion of renewable energy ahead of this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP31.

Neoen secures $1.8bn financing for Australian renewables

VINNY VUCAGO   Neoen has secured $1.8 billion in debt financing to support a 1.2-gigawatt (GW) portfolio of renewable energy and storage assets across Australia, including projects under construction in three states.

Two-strike remuneration rule remains effective: ACSI

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The two-strike remuneration rule remains effective and continues to strengthen alignment between pay and performance of the board, the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) said.

First Nations benefit fund executives breached duties: Court

MATTHEW WAI   The Federal Court found that former Youpla Group chief executive Bryn Jones and director Ronald Pattenden breached their duties as directors.

Anti-slavery commissioner calls for smarter due diligence for SMEs

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Australian anti-slavery commissioner has proposed to cut out repetitive questionnaires for more targeted modern slavery checks for SMEs.

FSU calls for universal PPL

ELIZA BAVIN   The Finance Sector Union is calling for universal paid parental leave allowing all parents equal access to parental leave regardless of their caring role with full wage replacement.

ARENA launches $30m startup fund

VINNY VUCAGO   The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has launched a new $30 million funding program to help early-stage technologies from development towards commercialisation.

Government grants $10m to First Nations clean energy projects

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   The government has opened a grant of up to $10 million to help First Nations organisations advance their clean energy projects.

Flexible work fails to follow women into leadership

VINNY VUCAGO   While a greater number of women are advancing into management roles, inflexible leadership positions and unequal caring responsibilities are forcing more women to leave senior positions.

Mining, property fuel Aussie billionaires' wealth: Report

KARREN VERGARA   Australian billionaires' riches are highly concentrated in mining, financial services, technology and property, accounting for 0.7% of the total US$15.1 trillion in global wealth studied by the 2026 Billionaire Census.

UN-backed investor alliance sets climate targets for private markets

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Members of the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance are setting climate targets for their private market investments, bringing private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt within the same climate ambition as listed assets.

Australian Ethical increases fees across most super options

KARREN VERGARA   Australian Ethical has increased fees across most of its superannuation investment options shortly after decreasing them earlier in the year.

Green moves: Frontier Advisors, OMERS

RIDDHIMA TALWANI   Frontier Advisors has appointed former Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) specialist Aneesha Singh as responsible investments consultant, strengthening its advice to asset owners on climate, sustainability and responsible investment.

AllianceBernstein overhauls thematic equity team

KARREN VERGARA   AllianceBernstein has overhauled its global equity team focused on achieving environmental and social outcomes, appointing a new lead for the division and announcing the exit of two long-serving portfolio managers.