The Greener Way

Australia’s big five banks – ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Macquarie Group, NAB and Westpac – have all committed to limiting or cutting financing to fossil fuel projects that they feel are not aligned to achieving a net zero future.

This requires a lot of work on several fronts, and for investors it’s about understanding how realistic the success of such initiatives is – but the data just isn’t up to scratch. While our banks are performing well in terms of reporting on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, there’s far less transparency around Scope 3 emissions, or their financed emissions.

U Ethical stewardship manager and friend of the podcast Rachel Alembakis joins Financial Standard managing editor Jamie Williamson to discuss why the fund manager is so committed to collaborating with Australia’s big banks to ensure alignment with the Paris Agreement and improve data accuracy and transparency.

In this episode of The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar speaks with Brian Redican, Chief Economist at TCorp, about the economic implications of transitioning to renewable energy. They discuss evolving priorities in financial analysis, the volatility of energy prices, and the geopolitical risks that influence investment decisions. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities in sustainable investments, the importance of long-term energy strategies, and key considerations for superannuation fund members.

00:00 Introduction to Economic Perspectives

00:26 Welcome to The Greener Way

00:41 Today's Topic: Transition to Renewable Energy

01:20 Guest Introduction: Brian Redican

03:27 Energy Prices and Economic Implications

04:36 Geopolitical Risks and Energy Transition

06:43 Investment Uncertainty and Energy Security

10:00 Challenges in Sustainable Investments

11:49 Key Considerations for Super Funds

13:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Greener Way, Michelle Baltazar speaks with Dave Rae, a responsible investment advisor from Unless Financial.

They discuss common myths about responsible investing, affirming it doesn't sacrifice returns and requires global diversification to be successful.

The discussion also highlights the growing role of tech in sustainable investments and the importance of addressing climate change for portfolio risk and opportunity.

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability Themes

00:36 Welcome and Guest Introduction

01:21 Dave Ray's Background and Responsible Investing

01:56 Financial Advice for Climate-Conscious Investors

02:25 Engaging Clients in Sustainable Conversations

06:57 Risk and Return in Sustainable Investing

09:48 Misconceptions About Ethical Financial Advice

12:02 Global vs. Australian Sustainable Investments

13:01 Technology's Role in Sustainable Investing

14:55 Urgency of Climate Action in Investing

16:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar, Director of Media at FS Sustainability, speaks with Estelle Parker, Co-Chief Executive of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA).

They discuss the surge in public awareness and demand for responsible investments in Australia, the success of RIAA's Sustainable Classifications Initiative, and the AI toolkit for human rights.

Estelle also provides updates on the upcoming RIAA annual conference in Sydney on May 28-29, where crucial topics like global investment trends, policy impacts, and sustainability in finance will be covered.

01:56 Sustainable Classifications Initiative

04:09 AI Toolkit for Human Rights

07:28 Responsible Investing for Financial Advisors

09:53 Global Perspectives on Responsible Investing

10:30 Upcoming Conference Highlights

13:54 Australian Election and Sustainable Finance

15:58 Nature and Biodiversity Risks

16:39 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Join host Michelle Baltazar as she interviews Rob Langrick, CFA Institute's Chief Product Advocate, on the evolving landscape of sustainable finance and investing. Learn about the CFA program's integrated approach to sustainability education, the impact of recent U.S. regulatory rollbacks, and the innovative advancements making decarbonisation more appealing and feasible. Discover how countries and industries worldwide are adapting to balance climate action with economic realities.

00:00 Introduction to the New Era of Decarbonization

00:14 Welcome and Acknowledgements

00:30 Recap of Last Year's Episode

00:51 Updates on CFA Institute's Sustainable Finance Program

02:04 Global Changes in Sustainable Investing

02:40 Impact of U.S. Environmental Policy Changes

04:05 European Climate Action and Regulatory Shifts

06:21 Innovations in Sustainable Finance

07:15 Technological Advancements Driving Decarbonization

08:47 CFA Institute's Commitment to Sustainability Education

09:50 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

In this episode of The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar, Director of Media at FS Sustainability, discusses the newly implemented climate-related financial disclosure standards in Australia with Nicholas Guest, co-lead of HLB Mann Judd's Sustainability Steering Committee. They explore the phased approach of the new regime, its impact on small to large companies, the role of technology in easing compliance, and the broader commercial opportunities and challenges. 

The discussion also touches on global political influences, particularly the reversal of climate policies in the U.S. Tune in to understand why these disclosures are critical and how your organisation can stay ahead in this dynamic landscape.

Harnessing Synthetic Biology for Sustainable Mining and Pollution Mitigation.

In this episode of The Greener Way, guest host Michelle Baltazar interviews Nicole Richards, CEO of  Allonnia, about the company's use of synthetic biology to address sustainability issues. The discussion covers Allonia’s work in accelerating nature's process of breaking down contaminants like PFAS, and their initiatives in the mining sector to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The episode highlights  Allonnia's partnerships in Australia, significant investors including BHP, Vale, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the company's aim to commercialise these technologies.

Today we are going to talk about founder-led companies, which can provide high returns for investors – but also be high risk.

From Uber's aggressive expansion tactics under Travis Kalanick, Theranos's fraudulent blood testing under Elizabeth Holmes, and WeWork's unsustainable growth under Adam Neumann, founder-led companies can be more at risk of corporate management shortfalls and pose a need for more rigorous governance standards.

Lawrence Lam joins host Rose Mary Petrass on the podcast today.

He is the managing director and founder of Lumenary Investment Management and the author of The Founder Effect – a book that provides a framework to identify and invest in high-performing founder-led companies.

Recent research has revealed that sustainability professionals are fighting anxiety, loneliness, imposter syndrome.

43% of green professionals are the sole staff member responsible for sustainability within their organisation, according to a UK study out of the University of St Andrews and the University of Strathclyde.

Here to discuss is Heather Lynch, a coach working with sustainability professionals, who was a lead researcher on the study.

The host of The Greener Way is Rose Mary Petrass.

If this podcast has raised concerns for you, support is available. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

Oil spills, leaks and contaminants can wreak havoc on marine life, and abandoned and decaying platforms and pipelines can cause large-scale damage through chemical and heavy-metal pollutants.

With LNG markets declining and ageing offshore oil and gas infrastructure representing an environmental safety risk, titleholders are now having to decommission offshore infrastructure.

This process represents an estimated $60 billion liability for investors over the next 30–50 years.

In December 2024, the Australian government released the 'Offshore Resources Decommissioning Roadmap', helping titleholders fulfil their regulatory obligations under laws like the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.

Here to discuss is Joshua Runciman, lead analyst of Australian gas at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

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