Blogs

What are materiality thresholds? Derived from financial accounting, materiality thresholds are set limits for exposure to certain industries. By setting these thresholds, funds define how much a product will be exposed to these industries. Materiality thresholds may be used in combination with chosen approach(es) to responsible investing and, risk/return considerations. They allow for greater flexibility to progress their responsible investment strategy (i.e., integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors into the process).

RIAA disagrees with the recent article, “Watering down super fund tests risks lower returns” published by the The Australian Financial Review. The Your Future, Your Super (YFYS) performance test is having a direct impact on the movement of capital to climate transition and achieving a net-zero economy.

The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) is pleased to announce Pollination as the Principal Partner of our Nature Working Group for the financial year of 2024.

Where to start? How do we process the decision that Australia will not change our constitution and enshrine a Voice to Parliament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples? Perhaps we need to go further back, to Paul Keating’s famous Redfern speech, some 30 years ago.

With the election coming up, it’s critical that Aotearoa New Zealand doesn’t lose focus on sustainable finance.

We are in the midst of significant change in the way finance operates in Australia and with the Treasurer set to shortly release a draft Sustainable Finance Strategy, this change is about to accelerate further.

In an age where climate concerns and social consciousness dominate headlines, it’s no surprise that investors are increasingly seeking investments that align with their values. With several high-profile cases recently exposing alleged greenwashing practices, many investors are left wondering if they can trust a company’s sustainability claims.

With the ASX 300 staring down the barrel of a 4.5-degree temperature rise, it is critical that Australia’s largest leading companies incorporate more sustainable practices into their business operations. At the RI Australia Conference 2023, representatives from ASX listed companies Mirvac, Wesfarmers and the A2 Milk Company unpacked ‘Transitioning the ASX: Company Insights into Progress towards Net Zero’ with Nathan Parkin, Investment Director and Co-Founder of Ethical Partners Funds Management.

The starting gun has fired in the global clean energy race and Australia stands at a crossroads – will we soar as a competitive force or falter at the starting line? Worldwide there is a scramble for capital to fuel the transition to a cleaner global economy and governments are locked in fierce competition, vying for investments crucial to sustainability.

Modern slavery has become a key issue for the responsible investment community in recent times. At the RI Australia 2023 conference, Tomoya Obokata, the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery presented on the global state of modern slavery. During his keynote speech and interview with RIAA Chair, Ross Piper (CEO of Australian Ethical Investments), Tomoya reflected on current trends, provided an update on efforts to combat contemporary forms of slavery, explained international laws and norms, and explored what investors can do to reduce instances of modern slavery in their portfolios and supply chains.