Topic: Investor Group on Climate Change

Bushfire Royal Commission: Government must help unlock private capital to build national resilience to climate change

30 October 2020

In response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) General Manager, Crystal Fleming, said: “IGCC welcomes the recommendations of the Royal Commission, which will go a long way to making our communities safer in the face of worsening natural disasters.

New ten-year private sector-focused initiative launched to back deeper Australian emissions reductions

14 October 2020

A new ten-year, private sector-focused initiative – backed at launch by 16 institutional investors with over $850 billion collective assets under management as initial participants – will support and act towards deeper emissions reductions for Australia. Climate League 2030 asks participants to support efforts to drive a further reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions of at least 230 million tonnes on top of what is already projected for the end of the decade, and pledge at least one new action each year under three themes:
  • Integration of Paris-aligned emissions reduction goals into investment policies or business strategies.

Adopting Paris-aligned climate plan would create billions of dollars in fresh Australian investment opportunities

12 October 2020

Australia would create $63 billion in fresh investment opportunities over the next five years by strengthening climate targets and policies in line with reaching net zero emissions by mid-century, new economic modelling finds. The analysis also finds that under this scenario private investment would accelerate out to 2050, with hundreds of billions of dollars in opportunities created across renewable energy, green hydrogen, manufacturing, electrified transport and carbon sequestration.

New survey finds investors continue to mainstream climate response as COVID-19 fails to dent progress

2 October 2020

Australian and New Zealand investors are increasingly mainstreaming their climate change responses by applying dedicated strategies and targets to portfolio-wide and specific asset classes over and above responsible investment offerings, a new survey has found. The IGCC 2020 Net Zero Investment Survey canvasses the views of 38 participants from superannuation funds, asset managers and sovereign wealth funds representing $1.5 trillion in assets under management about their current and future appetite for climate change-aligned investments.

Technology investment plan needs a 2050 net zero destination to unlock private capital

22 September 2020

In response to the release of the Federal Government’s Low Emissions Technology Statement, the Investor Group on Climate Change’s Director, Policy, Erwin Jackson, said: “The development and deployment of emerging technologies is a significant opportunity to unlock the scale of greenhouse gas reductions needed to achieve a climate resilient, net zero emissions economy by 2050.

Expanded ARENA and CEFC remit can help accelerate investment towards net-zero emissions but climate constraints must be clear

17 September 2020

In response to the Federal Government’s announcement on the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) mandates and budget allocations, Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) CEO, Emma Herd, said: “Investors are increasingly seeking to manage the systemic economic risk of climate change by aligning their portfolios with the overarching Paris Agreement goals.

Global investor groups call on companies to reflect climate-related risks in financial reporting

16 September 2020

  • Investors are concerned that companies risk overstating financial statements by failing to include the effects of climate change on profits and assets
Major investor groups from around the world and representing assets worth over $US103 trillion have released an open letter on accounting standards calling on companies and auditors to fully reflect the effects of climate change in their declared results.

Mandatory NZ financial disclosure regime a critical step towards managing climate risk

15 September 2020

In response to the New Zealand Government’s announcement that it intends to implement mandatory disclosure of climate change risk by investors, banks, insurers and listed companies, Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) Chief Executive Officer, Emma Herd, said: “This is a crucial step by the New Zealand Government. Mandatory disclosure of climate risks is vital  to managing the systemic economic risks posed by climate change to the New Zealand economy and the long-term savings of all New Zealanders.

Climate Action 100+ calls for net-zero business strategies and sets out benchmark of largest corporate emitters

14 September 2020

  • Letter sent to CEOs and chairs of the board at 161 global companies sets out benchmark and calls on firms to commit to net-zero business strategies.
  • Initiative, involving over 500 global investors with over $US47 trillion in assets, to assess company progress in line with net-zero transition against 30 indicators.

New Australian guidelines launched to ensure consistent climate change risks assessments and disclosure

14 September 2020

An Australian-first collaboration between climate scientists, insurers and the finance sector has produced new guidance for assessing the physical risks – such as tropical cyclones, bushfires and floods – of climate change to homes, buildings and critical infrastructure. The Climate Measurement Standards Initiative (CMSI) has developed a set of open-source voluntary guidelines that will, for the first time, provide Australian banks, financial institutions and insurers with consistent scientific and technical guidance on how to assess the risk of climate-related damage to their buildings and critical infrastructure from extreme weather events.