Events & News

The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) has welcomed the Sustainable Finance Forum’s Roadmap Action Plan launched today in New Zealand. “The financial sector has a central role to play in contributing to New Zealand’s long term social, environmental and economic wellbeing and prosperity. This Roadmap lays the foundation for ensuringfinance plays its part in delivering a sustainable, net-zero economy” said Simon O’Connor, CEO of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). “Once implemented, this Plan will position New Zealand as a global leader in sustainable finance, and build the resilience of its capital markets into the future”. “We welcome the recommendation that definitions of sustainable finance products be further standardised, acknowledging the need for consumers to have confidence that products are delivering on claims and are true to label.” “In particular, we welcome the specific recommendation that RIAA’s long running Responsible Investment Certification Program play a key role as a requirement for all default KiwiSaver providers, as well as for other investors making responsible investment claims. The importance of such assurance was underscored in our consumer research launched last week that showed that 82% of New Zealand consumers would be more likely to invest in a product certified by a third party.”

As New Zealand prepares to release its sustainable finance roadmap, new research shows that more than three-quarters (78%) of New Zealanders with KiwiSaver or other investments believe that ethical or responsible investments perform better in the long term. The new study, conducted by Dynata for Mindful Money and the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), highlights the significant consumer demand for responsible and ethical investment, as the industry continues to grow in its size and influence. The study finds that savings could be boosted if people see a positive social or environmental benefit from their investments. Nearly two-thirds of New Zealanders would be motivated to save and invest more money if they knew their savings and investments made a positive difference in the world. “We are seeing overwhelming support from consumers for their hard-earned money to achieve positive outcomes and to avoid causing harm” said RIAA CEO Simon O’Connor. “In an important signal to New Zealand’s KiwiSaver, banking and wealth management sectors, 58% of New Zealanders would consider switching their KiwiSaver or other investments to another provider if their current fund engaged in activities inconsistent with their values.” “Demand for ethical investing remains strong through the COVID pandemic” says Mindful Money’s founder and CEO, Barry Coates. “Over 90% of those who do not perceive to currently have an ethical investment fund are intending to invest ethically, most of them within the next year. This is evidence of strong growth in the consumer movement.”

Companies which look after their employees, minimise their impact on the environment, have good governance and protect human rights across supply chains have become a key focus for New Zealand investors, the landmark annual study from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) has found. The new RIAA report undertaken in collaboration with KPMG, the Responsible Investment Benchmark Report 2020 New Zealand, shows that the vast majority (94%) of New Zealand investors now have a commitment to responsible or ethical investing. However just over half (52%) can demonstrate a leading approach that is contributing to real world outcomes. Responsible investors in New Zealand have shifted their focus from screening out harmful industries such as tobacco and armaments, to considering broader environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors when investing, as well as making impact investments which aim to deliver positive outcomes for society and the environment said Simon O’Connor, RIAA CEO.

The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) has welcomed the New Zealand Government’s announcement today that it will require the business and finance sector to report on climate risks. “This marks a significant step forward and demonstrates New Zealand’s exemplary leadership on the global issue of climate change and the sustainability of New Zealand’s financial system and economy” said RIAA CEO Simon O’Connor. “This requirement makes a pivotal contribution to New Zealand’s comprehensive engagement on climate change and help New Zealand to deliver upon its commitment to the Paris agreement. Once implemented, investors will be better able to price and value companies within the portfolios they manage, as well as realign portfolios to contribute to a lower carbon world.” “New Zealand’s future resilience and prosperity depends on being able to navigate climate change risk. It is now the expectation that our finance and corporate sectors deliver positive social and environmental outcomes, and they need to be able to measure and report on these over time.”

Companies which look after their employees, minimise their impact on the environment, have good governance and protect human rights across supply chains are more likely to deliver superior financial returns to investors, the landmark annual study from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) has found. The new RIAA report researched in collaboration with KPMG, the Responsible Investment Benchmark Report 2020 Australia, shows that in 2019, Australian and multi-sector responsible investment funds outperformed mainstream funds over 1, 3, 5 and 10 year time horizons. Further analysis shows the outperformance has continued amidst the major market disruption brought on by COVID-19. “The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant economic turmoil, severely impacting many people’s livelihoods and financial markets globally. However it’s become clear that responsible investors are ahead of the game. They are identifying the key themes influencing markets and returns, which helps them to better navigate turbulent times, avoid the biggest risks and capture more opportunities” said Simon O’Connor, RIAA CEO.

Responsible and ethical investing in New Zealand has reached a critical point. New Zealand now has $188 billion allocated across capital markets in accordance with environmental, social, governance and ethical factors. This is the highest proportion of financial markets covered by responsible investing strategies of any market across the globe. In this context, it is tempting to suggest this once niche style of investing has become mainstream.

The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) has welcomed today’s announcement that industry fund HESTA has committed to reducing the absolute carbon emissions in its investment portfolio by 33% by 2030 and being ‘net zero’ by 2050. “HESTA is the one of the first large Australian superannuation funds to make carbon reduction commitments of this scale across its entire portfolio, in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change.” said Simon O’Connor, RIAA CEO. “We welcome HESTA’s exemplary leadership. HESTA has read the tea leaves on the enormous risks that inaction on climate change poses to our economy and member returns. “HESTA’s announcement reflects the increasing momentum within financial services companies in Australia for insurers, banks and super funds to commit to aligning their business with the Paris Agreement. We hope other large Australian super funds committed to responsible investment will swiftly follow suit. “Increasingly we are seeing super funds step up to play an important role in delivering on critical agreements like the Paris Agreement in a manner that is aligned with their member expectations and is consistent with the direction our regulators are heading regarding climate risk guidance.

The market for impact investing – investments that deliver positive social or environmental impact alongside a financial return – is experiencing exponential growth in Australia, more than tripling over the past two years from $5.7 billion to $19.9 billion, finds a new study launched today by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). The study, conducted for RIAA by Deakin University Business School, reveals the burgeoning appetite for impact investing, with Australian investors – from super funds to family offices – indicating they’d like to increase their allocation towards impact investments more than fivefold to $100 billion over the next five years, and invest in clean energy, housing, health and wellbeing, education and conservation, among other themes. “As evidence mounts that companies with better records on social issues, environmental sustainability and good governance are more resilient to COVID market turbulence, this study shows a market delivering strong financial returns, while also positively impacting the lives of tens of thousands of people, such as through employment pathways, education, and health services, as well as benefiting our environment” said Simon O’Connor, CEO of RIAA.

In a time of massive market disruption brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic, it would be fair to ask how ESG investors have performed compared to the rest of the market.

Topical issues of plastics and water scarcity, along with continued strong interest in climate change are among the key issues being researched within the finance industry to inform and drive more responsible investment in Australia. At the 10th Annual ESG Research Australia Awards, Citi, Macquarie and Credit Suisse took out awards for excellence in ESG research by a broker. An additional award from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) was also presented to Ausbil Investment Management and the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors for new ESG research by a non-broker. COVID-19 presents the greatest of challenges to investors, and early signs are that many responsible investment funds and companies are holding up better than their peers. Investors rely on robust and rigorous ESG research and data to help navigate turbulent times, which is why RIAA is pleased to recognise the leaders in this important research. The ESG RA Awards, attended by Australia’s leading superannuation funds, fund managers and broking firms, recognise excellence in environmental, social and governance (ESG) research published by broking firms. The winners of this year’s ESG Research Australia Awards are: Best Piece of New ESG Research: 2 degree or not 2 degree: The ins and outs of scenario analysis in real life, by Zoe Whitton and Edward McKinnon, Citi • Best Piece of Ongoing ESG Research: Macquarie’s 2019 ESG Ratings Survey, by Anita Stanley and Linda Carlanita, Macquarie • Best ESG Broking Firm: Credit Suisse The winner of RIAA’s ESG Research Award recognising excellence in investor relevant ESG research by a non-broking firm is: • Best Piece of Investor Relevant ESG Research (non-broking firm): Modern Slavery Reporting – guide for investors, by Mans Carlsson-Sweeny, Ausbil Investment Management and Kate Griffiths and Ian McIlwraith, Australian Council of Superannuation Investors. The Guide was an initiative of ACSI and RIAA’s Human Rights Working Group.