University of Melbourne’s Sustainable Finance Futures Forum 2025 will bring together leaders from finance, business, government and academia to shape Australia’s sustainable finance future. Looking to 2030, it will explore how the financial system can align with the SDGs, Paris Agreement and Global Biodiversity Framework, while also tackling near-term priorities like climate reporting, scope 3 emissions, and scenario planning. Altiorem has been invited to join this exclusive, invitation-only gathering, reflecting the importance of collaboration in driving the systemic changes needed for people, planet and economy.

Panel 1 discussion & Q&A: Sustainable finance

12:55pm

Financing the transition to a low-carbon economy requires innovative approaches to sustainable investment to unlock sufficient capital. This session examines the evolving landscape of green and sustainable finance and asks whether the current progress being made is sufficient to drive this step change in investment, or whether more needs to be done.

Navigating transition finance: An action list

CFA Institute (2024)

• This report addresses the importance of transition finance in supporting the decarbonisation of high-emitting sectors, highlighting the need for innovative investment strategies, clearer definitions, and collaborative efforts to effectively drive the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Transition today: A progress update – How investors can support climate transition across portfolios

Mercer (2024)

• This report examines how investors can support climate transition across portfolios through decarbonisation, alignment, and climate solutions, offering insights into whether current financial practices are sufficient or need scaling to drive systemic change.

Transforming global finance for climate action: Addressing misaligned incentives and unlocking opportunities

Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (2024)

This report identifies systemic barriers preventing capital from flowing into climate solutions and offers policy and investor actions to realign incentives, providing practical guidance for unlocking sustainable investment to accelerate the low-carbon transition.

Want more resources? Visit the library and use our filters to narrow down what you’re after. If you know of a resource that needs to be in our library relating to this topic. Suggest it here.

Panel 2 discussion & Q&A: Scenario planning for the net zero transition

2:10pm

In an era of climate, geopolitical, regulatory, and technological uncertainty, scenario planning is a critical tool for risk management and strategic decision-making, helping to inform our climate transition plans. This session will open with two short framing presentations and then explore how organisations use climate scenarios to assess future risks, test resilience strategies, and align their operations with long-term sustainability goals.

Getting physical: Scenario analysis for assessing climate-related risks

BlackRock (2019)

• This report emphasises scenario analysis as a tool for assessing climate-related risks, highlighting the importance of understanding various emissions scenarios. This approach aids organisations in developing effective transition plans and enhancing resilience against future climate challenges

2 degrees of separation: Transition risk for oil and gas in a low carbon world

Carbon Tracker Initiative & Principles for Responsible Investment (2017)

• This report addresses scenario planning by analysing oil and gas production in a carbon-constrained future. It utilises the IEA’s 450 Scenario to assess demand and transition risks, crucial for organisations in their climate transition planning and resilience strategies.

Climate endgame: Exploring catastrophic climate change scenarios

Kemp et al. (2022)

• The report highlights the need for exploring worst-case climate change scenarios, which aids organisations in scenario planning. Understanding extreme risks informs resilience strategies and decision-making, aligning operational goals with sustainable practices amidst climate uncertainties.

Investing in a time of climate change: The sequel 2019

Mercer (2019)

• The report details how climate scenario modelling helps investors assess risks, align portfolios with sustainability goals, and prepare for various climate outcomes. This modelling informs strategic decision-making and resilience strategies vital for a successful net-zero transition.

Net zero investment framework: Implementation guide

Ceres, Institutional Investor Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) & Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC) (2021)

• This report highlights the importance of scenario analysis in strategic asset allocation, which helps investors assess climate risks and opportunities, informing their transition plans in the face of uncertainties related to climate, geopolitics, regulation, and technology.

Want more resources? Visit the library and use our filters to narrow down what you’re after. If you know of a resource that needs to be in our library relating to this topic. Suggest it here.