ESG

In November 2018 RIAA commenced an extensive review of our RI Certification Program. The Certification Team run through the upcoming changes to the program as a result of the review.

How are responsible investors responding to the pandemic including focus areas for company engagement?

The market for impact investing 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 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.

How are responsible investments performing? Speakers will highlight recent data and analysis on how responsible investments, funds and companies have performed over recent period of turbulence.

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.

As the globe comes to grips with the COVID-19 pandemic, the world of responsible investment and sustainable finance has been readying itself for crises such as this over some time.

Recent extreme weather events in Australia have led the nation to pay closer attention to where its money is being invested, with 86% of Australians expecting their savings and super to be invested responsibly and ethically, according to new research commissioned by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). The study, finds that in the wake of the devastating bushfires, 3 in 4 Australians would consider moving their banking and superannuation to an alternative provider that invests responsibly and ethically, and that environmental issues (80%) are of greatest concern when investing their money. “This consumer sentiment mirrors the continuing growth of the sector with nearly half ($980 billion) of Australia’s assets under management now being invested through responsible investing” said RIAA CEO Simon O’Connor.

Topics included: Getting started with your product certification Re-certification of products Key assessment criteria (including common hurdles) Benefits of certification and emerging ESG product themes How your product is presented on Responsible Returns and upcoming

New research shows that 9 in 10 Australians believe our finance sector has a role to play in generating positive social, environmental and economic outcomes for the country.