Media releases

Consumer polling released today highlights just how strongly New Zealanders believe their KiwiSaver providers should consider environmental, social and ethical factors as a part of delivering good investment products and financial returns. A clear majority of respondents (81%) believe that it is important that KiwiSaver funds consider environmental, social and/or ethical factors providing a loud and clear signal to the industry that New Zealanders expect that their retirement savings are invested in a responsible manner. Launched today at the New Zealand Responsible Investment Conference in Auckland, the polling very clearly highlights that New Zealanders don’t see this as a choice between financial considerations or personal values, but that both should be part of good investment practice.

A significant sum of New Zealand’s capital is now being invested responsibly – totalling $NZ 78.7 billion – with early signs showing consumer demand is increasingly following this rise that has resulted in billions shifting from mainstream to responsible funds. The new report launched today by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), shows this strong up take of responsible investment, from the largest institutions through to boutique funds and KiwiSaver products, is not only benefiting New Zealanders by underpinning strong investment strategies that deliver strong returns, but also contributing to a better environmental and social outlook for New Zealand.

Nearly half (47%) of Australia’s investments are now being invested responsibly – totalling $633 billion – with a significant step up in consumer demand cementing this rise that has resulted in billions shifting from mainstream to responsible funds. The new report launched today by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), shows it’s not only consumers who are benefiting, but financial advisers, superannuation funds, fund managers and banks who are leading the way in delivering great products with great returns, whilst creating a better environmental and social outlook for Australia. “In observing the significant and consistent growth in responsible investment we can say without a doubt that this isn’t just a passing trend, but an evolution of the entire sector that is now being driven strongly by consumer demand and engagement with where they invest and bank their life savings,” said Simon O’Connor Chief Executive of RIAA. “Years of demonstrated long-term investment benefits to investors, who consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, have quietly shifted around half of Australia’s investment industry to invest responsibly. Now, it is consumer demand targeted at superannuation funds, banks and financial advisers that is creating unstoppable momentum with implications for all parts of the finance sector,” said O’Connor

The Seventh Annual ESG Research Australia (ESG RA) Awards function was held today in Melbourne. The award winners were: Best ESG Broking Firm: Citi Best piece of new ESG Research by an Individual Analyst or Team: “Risks in Payday Lending andGoods Rental” by Sandra McCullagh and Chris Parks of Credit Suisse Best Piece of Ongoing ESG Research by an Individual Analyst or Team: “Australian ESG/SRI AGM Series” by Sandra McCullagh and Chris Parks of Credit Suisse At a luncheon function today in Melbourne attended by some of Australia’s leading superannuation funds, fund managers and broking firms, the coveted annual ESG Research Australia (ESG RA) Awards were announced. ESG RA is an association of Australian superannuation funds, fund managers and asset consultants which has the single objective of increasing the quantity and quality of broker research in Australia that includes consideration of ESG issues (Environmental, social & governance issues). Membership currently represents over 50 institutions managing over $100 billion in Australian equities, and includes some of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, fund managers and asset consultants. The awards ceremony also included an experienced panel showcasing and debating many of the very relevant issues raised by this broad array of research reports produced in 2015. The panel was expertly moderated by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia’s CEO Simon O’Connor. Twenty-two pieces of research conducted during 2015 were nominated by members for consideration. Environmental and social research pieces dominated the nominated topics for this year’s awards with six nominations each. Social issues included cyber security, employee safety, and payday lending, whilst climate change issues dominated the environmental nominations. Governance issues were also well represented with executive remuneration the dominant area of interest.

Responding to the surging consumer interest in responsible and ethical investments, RIAA is today announcing the re-launch of its Responsible Investment Certification Program – a tool designed to help consumers and financial advisers navigate towards the growing range of responsible investment options. RIAA’s Certification Program has been in place for 10 years and in recent months was revised and strengthened with a focus on the internal governance, program requirements, criteria and verification processes. Responding to the surging consumer interest in responsible and ethical investments, RIAA is today announcing the re-launch of its Responsible Investment Certification Program – a tool designed to help consumers and financial advisers navigate towards the growing range of responsible investment options. RIAA’s Certification Program has been in place for 10 years and in recent months was revised and strengthened with a focus on the internal governance, program requirements, criteria and verification processes. “With the recent work we have done on the Certification Program, we are now very excited to be bringing this to market at a time when it couldn’t be more important to provide clear, verified and transparent information about the rapidly growing range of responsible investment products.” said RIAA CEO Simon O’Connor.

Responsible investment assets in New Zealand continue their strong growth reaching $63.5 billion following a 10% increase in 2014. Launched today, the new report from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), the most comprehensive review of the responsible investment sector in New Zealand (now in its 14th year, but the first year as a stand alone NZ report), found more money is being invested under responsible investment portfolios through superannuation funds, fund managers, advisers and kiwisaver accounts to underpin strong investment returns, and deliver a healthier environment and society.

Responsible investment assets form an ever greater portion of the country’s investment industry reaching $630 billion of assets and showing no signs of slowing down. The new report from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), the most comprehensive review of the responsible investment sector in Australia (now in its 14th year), found more money is being directed into responsible investment portfolios by superannuation funds, fund managers and advisers to underpin strong investment returns, and deliver a healthier environment and society.

The global sustainable investment market has grown substantially in both absolute and relative terms, according to The Global Sustainable Investment Review 2014, a report released today by the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (GSIA).

Most Australians (54%) would rather invest in a responsible super fund than a super fund which only considers maximising financial returns (46%), according to a national poll released today by RIAA.

The world’s leading responsible investment education business, the Responsible Investment Academy, will move to a new home with the Principles for Responsible Investment, enhancing the RI Academy’s global reach across the investment and finance community.