Australian Sustainable Finance Institute

Achieving ASFI’s bold vision of a sustainable, resilient and inclusive financial system needs a new approach and a new kind of leadership – a network of people within and across organisations, across sectors and across countries who will coordinate and collaborate to achieve faster action and greater impact than any organisation can achieve on its own. Over the past year, ASFI has continued to establish and strengthen partnerships across the financial system to drive the ambition and change needed to achieve our collective sustainability goals, and today we are delighted to share our annual strategy and business plan for 2024. This year, our work will be focused under five pillars: 1. Enabling sustainable finance; 2. Finance sector leadership; 3. Natural capital; 4. First Nations and finance; and 5. Sustainable finance solutions.   These areas represent a continuation of work from 2023 in order to support efforts to create a sustainable, resilient and inclusive Australian financial systems for the benefit of all Australians. Learn more about ASFI’s 2024 Strategy and Business Plan in our interactive report: https://lnkd.in/gB-eArvT #sustainablefinance #naturalcapital #sustainability #finance

The Indigenous economy in Australia is growing rapidly – but finance sector leadership and innovation is essential for unlocking the capital needed to sustain this growth.   Canada’s Indigenous Growth Fund (IGF) is an example of an innovative financial model which is being used to unlock capital for Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs), and ultimately support First Nations economic empowerment.   The IGF does not lend directly to businesses. Instead, it builds on the successful track-record of IFIs as community lenders. IFIs know their regions and clients, and investing in them builds on their strengths to accelerate economic growth and create a more resilient Indigenous economy.   This innovative financial approach empowers First Nations-led solutions to economic development, supporting the achievement of long-term economic self-determination for First Nations.   #FirstNationsFinance #EconomicSelfDetermination #SustainableFinance

Climate Change Minister, Chris Bowen MP has outlined the Government’s plan for the future of Australia’s energy grid – and the economic opportunities of climate action – in yesterday’s address to the National Press Club of Australia.   The Minister stressed the need to reduce emissions now, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to renewable energy, and with First Nations equity in projects, to achieve this. He also highlighted the need for policy certainty to attract investment and achieve Australia’s renewable energy ambitions, including through enshrining our national emissions reductions targets.   We welcome the Minister’s comments and look forward to continuing to support ambitious climate action through our work across the finance sector, government and industry.   Read the Minister’s address: https://lnkd.in/gsZzxvGr   #sustainablefinance #climate #energy

Join ASFI and the Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) for an introductory webinar on gender lens finance to learn how investing in women leads to better social and financial outcomes.   Featuring Purdie Bowden (ASFI), Natasha Garcha (IIX), Kathleen Bombell (Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), and Sarah Ng (ANZ), the session will unpack how IIX’S Orange Program leverages the power of capital markets to support gender equality.   The Orange Program’s ‘gender lens’ approach helps financial institutions integrate gender into capital allocation decisions – achieving better financial outcomes, enhancing their market position, and contributing to positive social change.   This webinar will bring the Orange Program to life with case studies and practical examples of how Australian banks and investors can adopt gender lens approaches for their operations in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.   Register now: https://lnkd.in/gF-KFqMa   #sustainablefinance #impactinvesting #genderlensfinance

As we draw closer to the world’s first global nature positive summit in Sydney, we are excited to share the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation pulse check survey, which seeks to understand awareness and perceptions of Nature Positive in the Australian business community.   The survey will be open until the end of July 2024 and can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/gm-yvjZC   Nature Positive, the process of halting and reversing nature loss so that species and ecosystems can start to recover, is the responsibility of us all. Former Treasury Secretary and current Chair for The Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, Dr Ken Henry, reminded us in a speech last week that the nature positive position "argues that for some time, perhaps generations, we must seek to restore environmental condition, understanding that without doing so, we cannot be confident that future generations will have the capacity to be as well-off". #naturepositive #sustainablefinance

This NAIDOC Week, ASFI proudly hosted film screenings of "UNDERMINED - Tales from the Kimberley" in Naarm (Melbourne) and Gadigal (Sydney).     The screenings celebrated the strength and resilience of First Nations communities in the Kimberley, highlighting their deep connection to culture and country. The film showcased the unwavering dedication of First Nations leaders and their efforts to preserve their culture, care for their communities and country in the face of modern development activities.    Missed the event? We'll be hosting a Q&A Webinar with the Director, Stephanie King and Traditional Owner, Bardi-Kija-Nyul Nyul man and Executive Producer, Albert Wiggan, where we will explore the film's themes and hear more tales from the Kimberely. Keep your eyes peeled for details on this shortly. #NAIDOC2024 #FirstNationsStrength Angelica Del Hierro Liza McDonald GAICD Tiarne Shutt Natalie S. Rachel Lohan

Collectively, the finance sector and Government have a crucial role to play in supporting the economic self-determination objectives of First Nations communities.   This was one of the key takeaways from our ASFI member visit to Canberra last week, where we came together on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country for a full program of meetings with Ministers, Parliamentarians and Senior Officials.   Our discussions touched on ways that Government and the finance sector can ensure First Nations participation in the transition, and the systemic barriers to First Nations communities accessing capital.   Highlights included a fascinating interactive working session for members on the role of financial institutions in supporting economic self-determination. The session used the South West Native Title settlement – the largest native title settlement in Australian history – as a case study to unpack systemic barriers to First Nations communities accessing capital. Thank you to Rebecca Blurton from First Nations Affairs for providing the content and inspiration behind this session.   Read a full summary of our insights and reflections from the day at https://lnkd.in/gdzWWiBs   #FirstNations #sustainablefinance #policy

ASFI is pleased to partner with First Nations Affairs on the development of First Nations Criteria within the minimum social safeguard subject area of the Australian sustainable finance taxonomy. The Australian Taxonomy is the first in the world to develop First Nations specific minimum social safeguards, ensuring that taxonomy aligned activities do not compromise First Nations outcomes.  We are excited to work with First Nations Affairs as we continue to advance the taxonomy’s development.   #FirstNations #sustainablefinance #taxonomy

Don't forget to register for ASFI's 2024 Movie Night – an evening of powerful storytelling elevating First Nations voices and lived experiences. Following the success of our 2023 movie nights, we are pleased to host a screening of UNDERMINED - Tales from the Kimberley during NAIDOC Week on 11 July in Gadigal (Sydney). Spaces are limited so please register below to reserve a seat. This event is free to attend and light refreshment will be provided. We are also pleased to be hosting this event on 9 July in Naarm (Melbourne). Register for our Naarm screening here: https://lnkd.in/g7PcQSpW #sustainablefinance #FirstNations #storytelling

It was fantastic to come together with our members today in Canberra to discuss the critical and emerging issues in sustainable finance. Our conversations with senior politicians and government officials, including Jenny McAllister, Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall OAM MP, touched on: → What more Government can do to unlock finance and investment to accelerate Australia’s climate transition, including ensuring Australia has an ambitious and science-aligned 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) supported by robust sector level plans. → The importance of public-private collaboration in the Future Made in Australia vision, including through investment facilitation and blended finance vehicles → Mechanisms for the finance sector and Government to ensure meaningful First Nations participation in Australia’s climate transition, including integrating FPIC in policies and programs, developing First Nations disclosures by corporates, and capability building. → How Government can support the finance sector’s role in Australia’s National Adaptation Plan through provision of consistent data, broadening the application of the Australian sustainable finance taxonomy, and expanding the mandate of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. → The need to continue implementation of the Government’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap, including sustainable product labelling, corporate transition plan guidance and regulatory reform. We look forward to building on these reflections as we continue to work closely with our members and government to accelerate the Australian sustainable finance agenda. Sign up to our newsletter to receive a full wrap up of the day: https://lnkd.in/dberb6dS #sustainablefinance #climate #FirstNationsfinance Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Commonwealth Treasury Net Zero Economy Agency National Indigenous Australians Agency Kristy Graham Oliver Doraisamy Purdie Bowden Tiarne Shutt Brian Cahill Brooke Pettit Charles Davis Frida Panayi George Karagiannakis Janie Wittey GAICD Jeff Brunton Jillian Reid Jo Saleeba Jo Dodd Jodi Keall Katharine Tapley Leilani Weier Moe Elrifai Nicholas S. Scofield GAICD Nicholas Mant, CFA GAICD Rachel Halpern Ros McKay GAICD Stella de Cos Sarah Broadbent Sarah Gallard Sybil Dixon Tessa Dann Tim Parker