The Greener Way

When you think of high-net-worth investors, you probably think of fast cars, designer bags and all-inclusive vacations. The last place your mind likely turns to is their interest in sustainable investing.

But according to Amanda MacDonald, high-net-worth investors are increasingly looking to make an impact in their portfolios.

But the global sustainable investing landscape is changing, experiencing pushback and becoming increasingly politicised.

So how does this impact the responsible investment goals of high-net-worth investors?

LGT Crestone’s Head of Sustainable Investing Amanda MacDonald joins us on the podcast today. 

The host of The Greener Way is Rose Mary Petrass.

Today, Rachel Alembakis joins us on the show to discuss her role as stewardship manager at U Ethical.

Alembakis pivoted from a career in journalism – including as the prior editor of FS Sustainability – and says that communication skills are one of the most important aspects of stewardship and engagement with companies to ensure they are following U Ethical’s responsible investment principles.

With its first funds established in 1985, U Ethical is one of Australia's largest ethical investment funds.

Alembakis joins Rose Mary Petrass, the host of The Greener Way and senior journalist at FS Sustainability.

With energy efficiency highlighted as a global priority at COP29, asset managers are faced with a big task: to align their strategies to meet new international standards.

Joining us today is David Scaysbrook, co-founder and managing partner of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners.

With over 28 years in energy and renewables infrastructure, Scaysbrook leads Quinbrook's strategy in advancing green decarbonisation and renewable energy projects globally.

Scaysbrook discusses how Australia is rising to the challenge of grid stability and renewable integration.

He also talks challenges and opportunities in data centres – particularly with the rise of AI.

The host of The Greener Way is Rose Mary Petrass, senior journalist at FS Sustainability. 

Sustainable investing is experiencing a rise in anti-ESG sentiment – both abroad and at home.

US President Donald Trump’s move back to the White House this week heralds the next stage of anti-ESG, anti-climate, and anti-DEI sentiments overseas.

Media reports here in Australia predict that we could soon see the same on home soil depending on the outcome of the federal election to be held to be held on or before 17 May 2025.

This comes as Meta recently announced it will swap fact-checking for user-generated community labelling.

Here to discuss is Morningstar Sustainalytics executive Michelle Cameron.

The host of The Greener Way is Rose Mary Petrass.

First Nations businesses in Australia face many barriers to accessing financing, including historically exclusionary policies, institutional barriers, and lack of capital.

Jake Berthelot is Associate Director of Business Advisory at First Australians Capital – an organisation uniting private, public and philanthropic investment in Indigenous businesses.

Jake, a Potaruwutj Padthaway man, was drawn to a career in strategy and finance and works to empower First Nations entrepreneurs to succeed in a new economy.

n August, it was revealed that PFAS known as ‘forever chemicals’ have been found in water filtration plants and even in platypus livers across NSW, which Australian authorities said were at a ‘safe’ level of exposure for the population – a level which is considered unsafe by US standards.

Here to discuss is Georgia Hall, the London-based ESG and investment director, global listed infrastructure, with boutique investment manager Maple-Brown Abbot, which recently put out a paper outlining the impact of PFAS on water infrastructure investments and what investors can do about it.

With 2024 now officially over, for those that want to get a higher salary and career progression in 2025, this episode is for you. 

Today we’re going to talk about jobs trends, most highly paid roles, how can professionals can level up their salaries in 2025. We will also delve into that big scary word that has been everywhere the past two years – layoffs, and why being laid off might not be such a bad thing. 

To discuss we have Richard Evans, CEO of Talent Nation. 

The sustainability and ESG recruitment firm recently updated its salary guide for the sector.

With the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, companies are facing growing pressure to ensure their AI practices are ethical, transparent, and aligned with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

But what does responsible AI look like in practice, and how should investors approach this emerging frontier to manage risks and seize opportunities?

Joining us today to unpack these questions is Jessica Cairns, head of ESG and sustainability at Alphinity Investment Management.

The host of The Greener Way is Rose Mary Petrass, senior journalist at FS Sustainability.

Alongside Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, Alphinity earlier this year released ‘Intersection of Responsible AI and ESG: A Framework for Investors Report’ with an actionable toolkit to help investors navigate the accelerating AI opportunity. 

Gold shines brighter than ever with a record-breaking 37 price highs this year solidifying it as a safe haven in uncertain times.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) produces 20% of the world’s gold but employs 80% of gold miners – an estimated 10-15 million people, often in low-income countries.

However, 30-35% of ASGM miners are children, and the sector is riddled with black market criminality – financing terrorism, war, and organised crime.

Today we take a closer look at human rights and ESG in the value chain, and the important work being done to pinpoint the problem and clean up gold’s act.

Terry Heymann, CFO and ESG Lead at the World Gold Council (WGC), joins host Rose Mary Petrass, senior journalist at FS Sustainability.

Some of the initiatives discussed in this episode include the industry-wide Consolidated Mining Standards Initiative and WGC’s Gold Bar Integrity database.

Today we take a closer look at weapons and defence-related holdings. 

We ask the question, what does responsible investing mean in the context of conflict?

To answer this question Estelle Parker, co-CEO at Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) joins guest host, Financial Standard senior journalist Karren Vergara on the podcast today.

In her reporting, Karren Vergara has found many of Australia's super funds have no qualms about investing in contraversial weapons manufacturers like BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Elbit.

This episode uncovers investment risks, how materiality thresholds impact decision-making, and the call from super members for greater transparency – and even divestment from – weapons and defence-related holdings.