ESG

The unexamined underlying business rationale, culture and identity of a company and the wider system and mindset of which they are a part is a primary source of human rights violations in supply chains. Investors have a critical role to play in unearthing their impact and participating in their transformation. This meeting will begin with an Educating Workshop (a focus on modern slavery), in line with prioritised topics in the previous meeting. Modern Slavery specialist Gary Shaw will workshop how investors can engage with companies and go beyond ‘risk’ as the only tool with which to make their assessments. The meeting will then include updates from the Advocating and Connecting workstreams.

Join us for a free webinar as we unpack the findings of Aotearoa New Zealand's most comprehensive survey on consumer attitudes towards responsible investment.

The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) and Mindful Money are pleased to launch the 2024 consumer report, Voices of Aotearoa: Demand for Ethical Investment in New Zealand. The study reveals that more Kiwis support responsible investing than ever before, showing a strong preference for aligning investments with personal values and long-term sustainability. Key findings include: • 77% of New Zealanders expect their investments to be managed ethically. 57% would consider switching to a different provider if their investments were in activities not consistent with their values. • More respondents expect ethical and responsible investments to perform better in the long term, increasing to 46%. • There is growing support for investing for positive impact. 54% would invest in a fund that aims to create positive impact if the returns are comparable to investment benchmarks while 20% would accept a lower return. • Positive views about responsible investment are more strongly held by Gen Z and Millennials, those with higher levels of education and those with higher levels of investment. • Over half of New Zealanders have concerns about greenwashing. 59% are more likely to choose ethical and responsible funds that have independent certification.

People with superannuation accounts or investment portfolios have immense power. With substantial amounts of money invested – such as the $4 trillion in Australia’s superannuation funds (the 5th largest pool of pension assets in the world), consumers are in the driver’s seat when it comes to the allocation of that money to different industries and companies. Our research shows that 88% of Australians expect their super and banking to be invested responsibly and ethically. Similarly in Aotearoa New Zealand, 74% expect responsible and ethical management of their investments, and 59% are willing to move their funds if their investments do not align with their values.

This FAQ page aims to answer common questions about our certification and how consumers can be better informed when starting their ethical investment journey.

The second ACWG meeting of 2024 included an overview of the process conducted to develop the work plan, a presentation of the current plan and its accompanying visualisation followed by an interactive discussion where the members present were able to reflect on the work plan and vote on how the group would be prioritising the different components of the work plan. Members were then able to volunteer themselves to support with specific workstreams. The ACWG Terms of Reference was approved during this meeting as well as the ACWG Co-Chair Catherine Bodnar appointed. Please see the Post-meeting papers below for further details.

The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) welcomes the launch of the first consultation on Australia’s sustainable finance taxonomy. The consultation is seeking feedback on: • the draft headline ambitions for the Australian taxonomy’s environmental objectives; and • the proposed activities and draft substantive climate change mitigation criteria for the first three sectors to be developed under the taxonomy: 1. Electricity generation and storage. 2. Minerals, mining and metals. 3. The built environment. The process is being overseen by the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI). Submissions are due by Sunday 30 June. RIAA Co-CEO Estelle Parker called on interested parties to make a submission and reflected on this milestone in Australia’s sustainable finance policy. “The industry has been working towards this for years, and a lot of work has gone into this draft. RIAA’s CEO co-chaired the Australian Sustainable Finance Roadmap, of which the taxonomy was a key recommendation,” said Estelle. “RIAA is proud to have established ASFI in 2021, which has brought together many great minds of sustainable finance to drive development of the taxonomy.”

We’re reaching a tipping point, with people pushing the planet beyond many of its boundaries. The result will be escalating geopolitical conflicts over resources, a cycle of human rights issues, and continued planetary warming, resulting in what many scientists and policymakers are calling a Polycrisis. It’s no wonder RIAA’s latest research report ‘From Values to Riches 2024’ reveals Australians are concerned about so many different issues we are facing as a society.

The first meeting of 2024 of the ACWG included a review and discussion of the groups Terms of Reference including the structure of the working group. The working groups Co-Chair Rachel Tinkler was appointed during this meeting. Please see the post-meeting papers for further details.

Join the Responsible Investment Association Australasia for a free webinar as we unpack the findings of Australia's most comprehensive survey of consumer attitudes towards responsible investment.