This article analyses institutional investors’ incentives to internalise negative externalities across their portfolios. It focuses on climate change, showing how large asset managers influence fossil fuel companies to reduce emissions, disclose risks, and limit lobbying, reframing shareholder primacy by prioritising portfolio-wide welfare over firm-level profit maximisation.

This report summarises why firms should maximise shareholder welfare rather than market value, noting that investors often have ethical and social preferences beyond profit. It proposes shareholder voting on corporate policy to better align company decisions with investor welfare, particularly where externalities are inseparable from production.

The Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards series is a benchmark series issued by the External Reporting Board. It sets out the framework for climate-related disclosures, including governance, strategy, risk management, metrics and targets, adoption provisions, and general requirements. The series provides entities with a consistent structure to report climate-related risks and opportunities.

The report outlines how banks can link technology investments to value creation. It presents a framework to improve returns through strategic allocation, outcome-based execution, and transparency. It identifies five tech-enabled themes that align with shareholder value drivers such as revenue growth, fee income, and risk mitigation.

The report explores how board directors perceive and advance climate action. While most recognise its importance and opportunity, competing priorities and knowledge gaps hinder progress. Local Chapters of the Climate Governance Initiative are shown to support action through resources, training, and peer networks across varied global contexts.

The report examines how corporate climate litigation in Australia and New Zealand is shaping private law. It highlights legal actions involving directors’ duties, disclosure obligations, consumer protections, and tort law. The analysis shows incremental adaptations in private law to address climate change impacts, especially through anti-greenwashing and climate accountability claims.

AI is reshaping financial services by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs and unlocking new revenue opportunities. With $97 billion in projected investment by 2027, firms must address risks like misinformation and data bias while prioritising governance, regulation and workforce reskilling to ensure responsible, secure and effective AI adoption.

The report outlines AI’s growing use in finance—especially in underwriting, fraud detection, and customer support—highlighting regulatory challenges around explainability, governance, and data security. It discusses evolving global guidance and the need for risk-based, proportionate oversight, particularly as generative AI gains traction in high-impact applications.

The Doughnut Design for Business tool presents case studies of enterprises applying Doughnut Economics principles. It supports companies in aligning operations with ecological boundaries and social foundations, offering structured insights into practical implementation and outcomes across diverse sectors and regions.

This report outlines strategies for corporate boards to foster long-term value creation. It highlights the need for tailored governance, alignment between boards and management, and adaptive practices across geographies. Practical toolkits support board effectiveness through strategic focus, risk management, and director development.

This FAQ guide explains key concepts in nature-related financial disclosures, including biodiversity, dependencies, impacts, and the TNFD framework. It outlines disclosure requirements, materiality, governance responsibilities, and greenwashing risks, offering practical insights for businesses preparing for future regulatory expectations and aligning with international sustainability standards.

Companies excelling in disability inclusion earn higher revenue, profit, and productivity. Despite rising interest, action lags. Barriers include disclosure fears and cost assumptions. The report introduces a five-part “A List” framework—Access, Awareness, Advocacy, Action, Accountability—to guide inclusive practices and improve organisational and financial outcomes.

This benchmark series provides an annual analysis of board diversity across ASX300 companies. It tracks representation beyond gender, covering areas such as cultural background, skills, age, tenure, and independence. The series offers longitudinal insights to assess diversity trends and board composition in the Australian corporate sector.

This benchmark series, produced by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, reports on employer gender pay gaps across Australia’s private sector. It provides comparative insights into pay disparity trends by industry, employer size, and remuneration levels, supporting ongoing evaluation and improvement of workplace gender equality practices.

This benchmark series tracks annual progress in women's representation in executive leadership roles across the ASX300. It provides a consistent and comparative overview of gender diversity trends, highlights structural barriers, and evaluates corporate efforts towards achieving gender balance in leadership.

This report offers practical guidance for investors engaging companies on managing conflict-affected and high-risk area (CAHRA) exposure. It highlights legal obligations, best practices in heightened human rights due diligence, and governance strategies, drawn from pilot dialogues with tech and renewable energy firms. Recommendations target risk mitigation aligned with global standards.