Editor's Choice

Podcast: Recruitment and salary outlook 2025

THE GREENER WAY
In this episode of The Greener Way, Kaizen Recruitment's Simon Gvalda talks to Financial Standard managing editor Jamie Williamson about the current state of the job market for ESG professionals and offers tips around negotiating salaries and benefits.

Clean energy transition a top priority for productivity: PC

ELIZA BAVIN
The Productivity Commission has identified 15 priority reforms areas to boost productivity, with a focus on investing in cheaper, cleaner energy.

Green moves: Chief Executive Women, Hearts & Minds, Rabobank

ELIZABETH FRY
The Hearts & Minds chief executive will depart after less than a year in the role, while Rabobank brings on a sustainability lead and the ACSI head joins the Chief Executive Women board.

Australians reject net zero targets, polling claims

JAMIE WILLIAMSON
New polling suggests Australians are still not convinced a move to net zero is in their best interests, much preferring the government focus on affordability and reliability.

Environmental

Macquarie shareholders call for transparency

ELIZA BAVIN  |    3:59PM   More than 180 shareholders are calling on Macquarie to disclose the full extent of it financing for fossil fuels.

Carbon securities the next game-changer

MICHELLE BALTAZAR   Paul Clements-Hunt, the man who coined the term 'ESG' more than two decades ago, says tradable and regulated carbon securities could be the next trillion-dollar market for investors.

Governance

Proposals against ESG, DEI to increase: Proxy advisor

MATT TOLEDO   Shareholder engagement is likely to change this year, ISS-Corporate says.

HESTA divests MinRes over ongoing governance issues

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   HESTA has sold off the remaining shares it held in MinRes after the company failed to respond to the fund's long-held governance concerns.

Corporate Strategy

Public sector pay gap revealed

ELIZA BAVIN  |    4:01PM   The Workplace Gender Equality Agency published the public sector gender pay gap data for the first time.

WFH employees put in 20% more hours

ELIZA BAVIN   Australians who work from home are able to put in around 20% more hours than those who are in the office.

Positive Impact

Landmark greenwashing case against Energy Australia comes to an end

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   A landmark greenwashing case against Energy Australia was discontinued this week after the provider reportedly reached a settlement with Parents for Climate.

Bill Gates to give away wealth in next 20 years

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Bill Gates says he will give away all his wealth over the next two decades and close the Gates Foundation permanently in 2045.

Social

Trump presidency pushes Aussies to ethical super fund

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   The inauguration of President Donald Trump in the US and the heightened volatility and uncertainty that has followed has been a boon for Future Super, the fund says.

Westpac launches social term deposit

ELIZA BAVIN   The major bank has launched Australia's first Social Tailored Deposit, designed for those seeking investments focused on delivering improved social outcomes.

Investment

Record green bond issuance on the cards

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |    3:56PM   Green bond issuance is predicted to hit US$600 billion this year.

Industry fund dumps sustainable option

JAMIE WILLIAMSON   Prime Super will remove the SRI Balanced option from its investments lineup, citing its poor performance.

Executive Appointments

Green moves: First Nations Foundation, Future Fund

ELIZA BAVIN  |    4:17PM   Phil Usher has stepped down from his role as chief executive of First Nations Foundation, while Future Fund has welcomed a new director of responsible investment.

Green moves: Chief Executive Women, Hearts & Minds, Rabobank

ELIZABETH FRY   The Hearts & Minds chief executive will depart after less than a year in the role, while Rabobank brings on a sustainability lead and the ACSI head joins the Chief Executive Women board.