Library | Sustainable Finance Practices

Governance and directors’ duties

Resources addressing the specific responsibilities of boards and directors in integrating sustainability into decision-making, ensuring accountability, and promoting long-term value creation.

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Climate risk governance guide: An introductory resource for directors on climate risk governance

MinterEllison
The guide provides an introductory resource for directors on climate risk. It considers fundamental concepts, distinguishes key industries impacted by climate change, and outlines duties and expectations of directors. Governance and reporting frameworks are discussed, with due care and diligence emphasized for adequate disclosure.
Research
1 September 2021

Superannuation fund trustee duties and climate change risk

Equity Generation Lawyers
This report analyses the duties of trustee directors in relation to climate change risk under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993. It concludes that climate change risk should be considered by trustee directors to the extent that risks intersect with beneficiaries' financial interests. Trustees should weigh relevant information and keep records documenting the decision-making process.
Research
15 June 2017

Superannuation fund trustee duties and climate change - updated memorandum of opinion 2021

Equity Generation Lawyers
This is an updated memorandum of opinion with the last one given in 2017. The report looks at recent regulatory and industry statements and develops a two-step approach superannuation trustees should take to remain compliant with their regulatory obligations. Trustees must understand the risk posed by climate change to investments and manage any identified risks.
Research
16 February 2021

Women's empowerment principles: Global trends report 2018

United Nations Global Compact
This report provides an analysis of data submitted by businesses using the Women's Empowerment Principles Tool, which measures companies' commitments to gender equality. Results indicate that while companies are making efforts to advance gender equality in their leadership and workplace, improvement is still needed in marketplace and community categories.
Benchmark/series
13 March 2018

Sustainable investing capabilities of private banks

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
This report presents the findings of research into the sustainable investing capabilities of private banks, including governance, sustainability risk, and client interactions. The report notes progress among leading banks but highlights the need for continuing education for client advisors and improved ESG and impact reporting and monitoring capabilities.
Research
26 May 2022

Elevating stakeholder voices to the board: A guide to effective governance

Australian Institute of Company Directors
This guide offers Australian directors valuable insights on elevating stakeholder perspectives to the board, emphasising a broader view of corporate interests. It explores stakeholder governance, effective practices, and the advantages of integrating voices from employees, customers, suppliers, and the community into board-level decision-making.
Research
26 April 2021

The role of women on boards in corporate environmental strategy and financial performance: A global outlook

This paper examines the relationship between board gender diversity and environmental strategy and financial performance of firms. Empirical findings indicate that women on boards promote proactive environmental strategies leading to a sustained competitive advantage in both short-term and long-term financial performance.
Research
3 April 2020

Climate governance study 2024: Moving from vision to action

Australian Institute of Company Directors
This study reveals that Australian directors increasingly prioritise climate change as a material governance issue. However, stakeholders are pulling in a variety of directions, making it challenging for organisations to execute their climate strategies. Policy uncertainty poses the most significant obstacle for climate governance, although the implementation of mandatory climate reporting from July 2025 presents an opportunity for greater accountability.
Research
5 March 2024

Greenwashing: A governance perspective

Governance Institute of Australia
This report provides an overview of greenwashing practices and their impact. The report expounds on the various forms of greenwashing and highlights the need for governance professionals to ensure accurate claims by companies. It also touches on Australia's legal and regulatory environment as regards greenwashing and contains helpful advice on how to manage it.
Research
12 December 2023

Global Governance Principles

International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN)
The Global Governance Principles (GGPs) from the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) are corporate governance standards that act as a framework for well-governed companies to follow. The GGPs are widely applicable, irrespective of national legislative frameworks or listing rules.
Research
2 September 2021

Climate solutions at work: An employee guide to drawdown-aligned business

Project Drawdown
This guide is for employees concerned about climate change and offers a suite of transformative actions that redefine business climate leadership by looking beyond “net zero”. It aims to democratise climate action so that all employees can contribute to climate solutions and helps employees across all sectors find their inroad.
Research
21 September 2021

The return on purpose: Before and during a crisis

Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP)
This paper demonstrates that investment in corporate purpose can improve company performance. To study the impact of purpose on performance, the authors conducted analysis on how corporate purpose relates to company financial performance, market valuation and shareholder value creation.
Research
21 October 2020

Blueprint for business leadership on the SDGs: A principles-based approach

United Nations Global Compact
Business cannot thrive unless people and planet are thriving. This publication presents a framework for the next generation of business leadership with the intention to foster contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at scale.
Research
21 September 2017

Corporate governance principles and recommendations: 4th edition

ASX Corporate Governance Council
The report sets out eight principles and thirty-five recommendations of corporate governance practices for listed entities on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The principles and recommendations address emerging issues around culture, values, and trust. It includes governance standards around disclosure, gender diversity, corporate reporting, risk management and director remuneration.
Research
27 February 2019

Can government policies that drive strong economic outcomes for the private sector alleviate poverty?

United Nations Global Compact
The report examines how the adoption of policies that drive strong economic outcomes for the private sector often reduce poverty in the developing world, primarily through opportunities for job creation. In particular, the report calls for policies that promote greater access to credit and the protection of minority investors.
Research
11 October 2019

Women on boards and the human capital connection

MSCI Inc.
Companies with a gender diverse board and stronger talent management practices enjoyed higher growth in employee productivity compared to companies with a diverse board only or with strong talent management practices only. Companies with mostly male boards and lagging talent management practices had the lowest rates of employee productivity growth.
Research
1 March 2018
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