Governance

BlackRock ditches diversity targets, drops hiring mandates

ANDREW MCKEAN  |  MONDAY, 3 MAR 2025  |  NEWS
BlackRock has scrapped its "aspirational workforce representation goals" and will no longer require hiring managers to interview a diverse slate of candidates, according to an internal memo from chief executive Larry Fink and senior executives.

Climate Change Authority warns of nuclear bungle

ROSE MARY PETRASS  |  TUESDAY, 25 FEB 2025  |  NEWS
New independent analysis predicts nuclear could add two billion tonnes of emissions and reach 2.6°C of warming.

Banks' culture, conduct has government committee 'deeply concerned'

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  MONDAY, 24 FEB 2025  |  NEWS
A parliamentary committee has flagged serious governance concerns within Australia's big banks, saying it has seen a reversal of hard-won gains from the Royal Commission.

Nature-related education initiatives scaled up

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  THURSDAY, 20 FEB 2025  |  NEWS
The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) released two capacity-building tools in response to the need for upskilling on nature-related issues. At the same time, the PRI and others will work together to further educate global corporates.

CA ANZ issues warning over new financial standards body

ELIZA BAVIN  |  THURSDAY, 20 FEB 2025  |  NEWS
CA ANZ said not including practicing accountants on the new financial standards board was "akin to having a medical standards board without a practicing doctor".

Economists brace for an uncertain future

ROSE MARY PETRASS  |  TUESDAY, 18 FEB 2025  |  NEWS
After decades of unprecedented progress in reducing global inequality and poverty, the future looks increasingly uncertain, according to Angela Jackson, lead economist at Impact Economics and Policy.

Weak whistleblowing protocols risks ethicswashing

ROSE MARY PETRASS  |  FRIDAY, 14 FEB 2025  |  NEWS
ESG commitments without whistleblowing infrastructure in place risk 'ethicswashing' and enforcement by the regulator, warns global reporting services provider Report It Now.

Execs face shareholder backlash over pay: Georgeson

ROSE MARY PETRASS  |  TUESDAY, 11 FEB 2025  |  NEWS
The ASX300 experienced heightened shareholder opposition to executive remuneration proposals in 2024 for the second consecutive year, according to shareholder services provider Georgeson.

Regulation drives ESG advice boom

ROSE MARY PETRASS  |  MONDAY, 10 FEB 2025  |  NEWS
Consulting firms and artificial intelligence (AI) tools are experiencing growing demand from entities struggling to navigate new ESG rules, according to global technology research and advisory firm Information Services Group (ISG).

Investors slam dumping of nature positive laws

ROSE MARY PETRASS  |  THURSDAY, 6 FEB 2025  |  NEWS
In an "extremely disappointing" outcome for investors, Labor's 'Nature Positive' plan has been shelved after pushback from West Australian Premier Roger Cook and the mining industry.