This series offers concise, structured overviews of the impact of customer-owned banks in Australia. It highlights their role in promoting competition, supporting communities, and advancing sustainability, focusing on their economic, social, and environmental contributions.

Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) represents customer-owned banks, credit unions, and mutual banks in Australia. The organisation advocates for the interests of its members, promoting competition and ethical banking practices. COBA provides resources and insights to enhance customer-focused finance, supporting a sustainable and equitable banking sector for all Australians.

This report explores the transition from financial inclusion to financial health, emphasising the need for accessible, high-quality financial services. It highlights that while inclusion is essential, poor service provision or lack of financial literacy can undermine financial health. Public policy recommendations focus on financial literacy, consumer protection, and regulatory measures.

The report discusses emissions attribution analysis for net-zero investment portfolios. It highlights key decarbonisation drivers, including portfolio reallocation, real-world emissions reductions, and changes in data coverage. The analysis helps financial professionals understand and steer investment strategies toward decarbonisation, aligning with climate goals set by the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance.

This report presents a multi-asset class decarbonisation framework aimed at bridging the global climate investment gap and guiding financial institutions in capital allocation strategies to decarbonise the real economy. The framework includes steps to set emission reduction targets, allocate capital accordingly, and monitor progress using metrics like the Net Zero Deviation Index (NZDI), while emphasising collaboration with policymakers and stakeholders.

The report discusses how concessional finance can accelerate the deployment of offshore wind (OSW) in developing nations. It analyses OSW's potential as a renewable energy source and highlights two key strategies for enhancing concessional finance. The report also explores the challenges of financing OSW projects, particularly in developing countries, and recommends technical assistance, regulatory support, and blended finance solutions to facilitate investment in OSW.

This report assesses the barriers and opportunities for scaling private sector investment in natural capital. It outlines key recommendations, including the establishment of a Nature Finance Accelerator, to drive financial flows towards nature. The study highlights the importance of overcoming low returns, small deal sizes, and high transaction costs to attract private investment.

This report highlights the essential role of nature in supporting the global economy, underscoring the insurance sector's crucial function in managing financial and economic risks linked to nature loss. This encompasses integrating nature-related considerations into underwriting and investment activities and advancing nature-positive insurance practices.

Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) represents the general insurance industry, advocating for industry interests and promoting best practices. It provides resources on insurance regulations, policies, and consumer protection. ICA supports resilience and preparedness in response to natural disasters, ensuring accessible and transparent insurance solutions for Australians.

NatureFinance focuses on advancing sustainable finance to address global environmental challenges, particularly biodiversity loss and climate change. It promotes innovative financial tools, policies, and partnerships that align financial systems with nature-positive outcomes.

This report provides a manual to guide financial institutions in implementing target-setting practices within the blue economy. It outlines the principles of sustainable finance, focusing on sectors like seafood and aquaculture. The document includes guidance for creating actionable targets, monitoring progress, and integrating environmental and social risks, with case studies and examples for practical application.

The report highlights the growing importance of natural capital in economic and environmental sustainability. It emphasises technological advances, innovative financial instruments, and new business models that support nature-positive investments. The report also presents case studies showcasing successful projects aimed at preserving biodiversity and scaling investments in natural capital through innovative financing mechanisms and technology-driven solutions.

This report examines the relationship between sustainable agricultural practices and non-financial support in impact investments, highlighting how such support can enhance performance. Findings reveal that non-financial support improves outcomes for smallholder farmers, especially women, by increasing service provision and adoption of sustainable farming, contributing to resilience and profitability.

This report investigates whether green investors influence corporate carbon emissions by either divesting from polluters or engaging with management through stock ownership. The findings suggest green investors significantly reduce emissions through active engagement, whereas divestment strategies may counterproductively increase emissions. The report highlights private markets’ potential to address environmental issues independently of government regulation.

The report highlights the critical need for sustainable cooling in developing countries to meet climate goals, reduce emissions, and support health, food security, and productivity. It estimates a market demand of $600 billion annually by 2050 and provides strategies to attract private investment through policy, financing models, and international collaboration.

This working paper explores how open finance can drive financial inclusion by reducing costs, improving access, and providing better-suited products for underserved populations. Key building blocks—digital accounts, fast payments, and diverse financial providers—are essential for achieving open finance's potential, with case studies from Brazil and India highlighting successful implementation pathways.