Events & News

On 24 May 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed 46,000-year-old caves at Juukan Gorge – a place of personal, community, national and international significance. One year on, investors are working with First Nations peoples and organisations to increase First Nations voices in responsible investment and sustainable finance and ensure our investments respect and protect First Nations peoples’ rights and self-determination.

Modern slavery and human rights showed increased dominance in environmental, social and governance (ESG) research aimed at informing and driving more responsible investment in Australia over the last year, following the far-reaching local and global impacts of COVID-19. At the 11th Annual ESG Research Australia Awards held today at the RI Australia 2021 conference from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), Citi, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse took out awards for excellence in ESG research by a broker. An additional award from RIAA was also presented to the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility for new ESG research by a non-broker. The winners of this year’s ESG Research Australia Awards are: Best Piece of New ESG Research: Nothing to lose but chains – A modern take on slavery for investors, by Zoe Whitton and Edward McKinnon, Citi • Best Piece of Ongoing ESG Research: CEO incentives and analyst expectations, by Sameer Chopra et al., Bank of America Merrill Lynch • 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 and human rights showed increased dominance in environmental, social and governance (ESG) research aimed at informing and driving more responsible investment in Australia over the last year, following the far-reaching local and global impacts of COVID-19. At the 11th Annual ESG Research Australia Awards held today at the RI Australia 2021 conference from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), Citi, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse took out awards for excellence in ESG research by a broker. An additional award from RIAA was also presented to the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility for new ESG research by a non-broker. The winners of this year’s ESG Research Australia Awards are: Best Piece of New ESG Research: Nothing to lose but chains – A modern take on slavery for investors, by Zoe Whitton and Edward McKinnon, Citi • Best Piece of Ongoing ESG Research: CEO incentives and analyst expectations, by Sameer Chopra et al., Bank of America Merrill Lynch • 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): Labour Hire & Contracting Across the ASX100, by Dr Katie Hepworth, Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility

Climate Change Commission's first package of advice to government to help Aotearoa transition to a thriving, climate-resilient and low emissions future.

Federal Parliament Inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth into prudential regulation of investment in Australia’s export industries.

Exposure Draft Regulations and Explanatory Statement for the Australian Government’s Your Future, Your Super (YFYS) package of reforms designed to make sure the superannuation system delivers better outcomes for members.

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) sought views on its proposed guidance on advertising offers of financial products under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. The proposed guidance set out its expectations of what good conduct in the advertising of financial products would look like.

Two climate change bills to Parliament to set out a clear framework for national plans to be put in place and updated by the Australian Government, and for progress to be rigorously monitored and reported.

Indigenous Voice co-design process to achieve a design for the Indigenous Voice, considering local, regional and national elements and how they interconnect.

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.”