Environmental

AMP Capital lists fossil fuel exclusions for RIL funds

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 30 MAY 2014  |  NEWS
AMP Capital has developed a list of companies exposed to the most emissions-intensive fossil fuels that they will exclude from their Responsible Investment Leaders (RIL) funds range.

KPMG finds companies invest $12.2bn in social programs

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 30 MAY 2014  |  NEWS
One hundred of the world's largest companies made investments in social programs valued at US$12.2 billion in 2013, but less than a third of those companies are reporting on the impact of those investments, according to a new global report by KPMG International.

Westpac reports progress on sustainability targets

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 30 MAY 2014  |  NEWS
Westpac has revealed progress on its sustainability strategy and is conducting a review of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk framework, a biennial process that is considered a "refresh", said Siobhan Toohill, head of group sustainability ...

Net Balance, Gold Standard report on co-benefits value

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 23 MAY 2014  |  NEWS
Robustly designed climate mitigation projects can deliver environmental, social and economic benefits resulting in greater financial impact than previously calculated, according to a study from The Gold Standard.

Vast Solar begins construction on 6MW solar thermal station

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 21 MAY 2014  |  NEWS
Vast Solar has started construction on a 6MW concentrating solar thermal (CST) pilot project in New South Wales, a first of its kind Australian project.

UCA Funds Management names fossil fuel exclusion stocks

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2014  |  NEWS
UCA Funds Management has identified the listed companies that it will exclude from future equities investments, based on its recently announced fossil fuel policy.

Sedex Global partners with World Bank Institute on platform

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2014  |  NEWS
Sedex Global and OpenCorporates will partner with the World Bank Institute to develop the Open Supply Chain Platform, an initiative aimed at companies' transparency and performance in responsible supply chain data.

Government announces plan to abolish ARENA

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY 2014  |  NEWS
The Australian government has announced plans to repeal the Australian Renewable Energy Agency Act 2011 and abolish ARENA, a move that would return AU$1.3 billion to consolidated revenue.

ASX companies lag global peers in disclosing water risks

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 9 MAY 2014  |  NEWS
ASX listed companies in water-sensitive sectors are more likely to be exposed to near-term water risks than global peers, but only 46% of those ASX companies disclosed information to the CDP for its Australia Water Report 2013.

IGCC launches Perfect Storm Pension Fund video project

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 2 MAY 2014  |  NEWS
The Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) and Mercer have produced a video training module featuring superannuation trustees and professionals acting in a trustee board meeting role-play that considers concrete steps for integrating climate change ...