The Greener Way

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 deca...

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...

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...

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, w...

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 no...

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...

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...

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 f...

COP29, the 2024 UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, ran from November 11-22 in Azerbaijan. The main decision was how to pay for poorer nations' climate financing - decarbonisation, adaptation, and resilience to climate impacts – which are hitting them hardest despite contributing the least. The major win of the event was an eleventh-hour agreement on carbon markets, while some other ne...

Donald Trump’s election victory has far-reaching implications for the clean energy sector and climate finance as a whole. Today, we jump in the time machine and take a look at the next four years under Trump, with our guest Lachlan Carey. Lachlan is a Washington-based expert on clean energy investment and a non-resident fellow at the United States Studies Centre. Opinions expressed are solely Lach...

The next wave of sustainability investment professionals is poised to benefit from a new  movement. The 24/7 clean energy approach could surpass 100% renewable energy status as the way to manage our escalating global energy use. Google and Microsoft have already adopted it but how does it work? Climate advocate Ian Lieblich breaks it down in this episode with guest podcast host Michelle Balta...

It’s fair to stay that AI is officially here to stay – it’s everywhere, in our workplaces and even in our homes. However, the datacentres used in AI churns through energy and leaving behind a hefty carbon footprint, especially when we consider scope 3 emissions. Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Prabakar Shrinivasan, Director and Co-Lead of Artificial Intelligence at Synechron, the global consultin...

Many in the investment community believe that implementing net zero policies comes with high risk and is incompatible with active investing, but is this really true? To discuss this, Guido Baltussen  joins us on the podcast today. Guido is Northern Trust Asset Management’s International Head of Quantitative Strategies. He recently put out a paper on ‘carbon misconceptions’ and the impact of n...

After 20 years of progress, we are now seeing rising inequality and poverty reaching levels not seen in a century, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In response, there’s been an uptick in demand for companies to report on social impact through the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) – and along with it, an increase in misleading marketing through ‘social-w...

With mandatory climate reporting coming into force in Australia, the corporate regulator ASIC is stepping up enforcement, targeting misleading and deceptive practices with serious consequences for non-compliance. Today's episode is your guide to mastering climate reporting and avoiding greenwashing. To explain we have special guest Kate O'Rourke, Commissioner at the Australian Securities and Inves...

As the green revolution sweeps the globe, professionals are searching for quality sustainable finance education to help them stay on top of the game in an ever-evolving ESG landscape. This week we hear from Rob Langrick, chief product advocate of CFA Institute, a global professional organisation that provides investment education – including on sustainable finance. Alongside the Chartered Financia...

This week, host Rose Mary Petrass, senior journalist at FS Sustainability , is joined by two expert guests from the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) – Mark Rigotti, Managing Director and CEO, and Anna Gudkov, Policy Advisor. The AICD is a member-based organisation helping improve corporate governance by providing courses, programs, and other professional development opportunities....

This week we have Duncan Paterson, Director of Investor Practice at the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) on the show to discuss Australia’s mandatory climate reporting regime.  It’s undoubtedly a massive opportunity to open the door wider to green investment and reach net zero by 2050. However, investors face the unique challenge of understanding portfolio emissions, as well as growing...

With ESG and sustainability roles in high demand, many professionals are eyeing a career change into this impactful sector. In this episode, host Rose Mary Petrass speaks with Belinda White, who successfully transitioned from a communications background into the world of responsible investing and ESG. She now works company-side at Telix Pharmaceuticals as Director of Investor Relations and ESG. Be...

Australia recently gave employees the right to ignore their boss outside of ordinary work hours. The law is meant to protect the health and wellbeing of workers and reduce stress and overwork, allowing for better work-life balance in a time when the world is more hyper-connected than ever before. But what role does corporate culture and employee satisfaction play in financial performance, and will...

Responsible investors are pushing back against so-called ‘Tea and Scones Stewardship’ and demanding meaningful company engagement. Done right, stewardship can steer companies toward net zero; done wrong, it’s as unsatisfying as a lukewarm brew and a stale scone. Today, we’re joined by Rachel Halpern, head of sustainability at JANA Investment Advisers, which advises on over $1.3 trillion in fu...

When investors want to avoid specific activities in their portfolio – like tobacco, gambling, weapons, or adult entertainment – they turn to ESG screening. But what happens behind the scenes when fund managers make these crucial decisions? Are all ESG funds created equal? And how can an investor be sure their money isn’t inadvertently supporting sectors they wish to avoid? In this episode, we’re j...

This episode outlines the climate and commercial case for sustainable buildings. With buildings and building materials in hot demand, especially as the nation grapples with meeting its housing targets, momentum is growing on the sustainability side. To discuss, host Rose Mary Petrass, senior journalist at FS Sustainability welcomes Davina Rooney Davina is CEO of the Green Building Council of Austr...

There are currently more than 400 nuclear power reactors in 32 countries, generating about a tenth of the world's electricity. The Coalition’s plan to build seven nuclear power plants to replace Australia's ageing coal-fired power stations and to abandon the government's 2030 net zero target has been receiving plenty of attention. Is this idea viable? To discuss we have Jai Mirchandani, founder an...

No one should be left behind in the transition to a net zero economy – and behind the scenes, both private and public sectors are working hard to understand where funding needs to flow. But putting aside nice-to-haves, will achieving a just transition have an impact on investor returns and reduce risk whether financial, reputational or systemic? Amanda Cahill is the CEO of the Next Economy, which...