ASFI Newsletter – February

We’re excited to have kickstarted our work program for 2024, continuing our mission to create a sustainable, resilient and inclusive financial system. Last week, we held a member-only “Lunch and Learn” to introduce our 2024 strategy, meet our newest team members, and discuss opportunities to get involved. Please see an abridged recording here.

This month’s newsletter has all the info you need on upcoming events and early highlights from ASFI’s expanded 2024 work program – read on for more!

2024 Work Program

Enabling Sustainable Finance

Sustainable finance taxonomy

The development of an Australian taxonomy continues apace. ASFI is working with its taxonomy advisory groups and Taxonomy Technical Expert Group to develop draft screening criteria for climate mitigation across the first three priority sectors; finalise the draft headline ambitions for the taxonomy’s six environmental objectives; and define the taxonomy’s core social pillars. Public consultation on this work is expected to commence in May. Read more

Policy Engagement

Consultations are already underway on a range of climate and sustainability related reforms including exposure draft standards for Australia’s Climate-related Financial Disclosure framework. ASFI welcomed the opportunity to provide comment on the Exposure Draft legislation earlier this month. Read more

Finance Sector Leadership

ASFI is pleased to have welcomed Jackson Rowland to the team as our Capability Program Manager. We are excited to have him on board as we increase our focus on building sustainable finance capability.

We are currently looking for sustainable finance related case studies to include within our various training. If you have any you’d like to share, please contact Jackson.

Natural Capital

In September 2023, the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) released additional guidance for financial institutions to apply the TNFD Recommendations. The guidance applies to banks, insurance companies, asset managers and owners, and development finance institutions and is open for feedback until March 29. ASFI looks forward to sharing our feedback on the TNFD additional guidance for financial institutions next month.

First Nations and Finance

In November 2023, the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy, and Water opened a consultation process to develop the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy. ASFI was pleased to provide a submission to the Strategy earlier this month. Read more

Sustainable Finance Solutions

We are excited to bring you an investor showcase on the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) on February 29, 4:30pm – 5:30pm AEDT. This introductory webinar from PIDG will outline investment opportunities in Southeast Asia. Register now

ASFI is delighted to welcome Mahilini Kailaiyangirichelvam to the ASFI team as our Blended Finance Manager to support this work.

Events and Opportunities

Events

There are a range of upcoming sustainable finance events below which we welcome your participation in. You can also learn about other industry events through our Sustainable Finance Events Calendar.

We are excited to share that Sarah Polce has joined the ASFI team as our Events and Administration Manager to support us in delivering an expanded events schedule in 2024 – keep an eye on your inbox for more!

• 4:30pm – 5:30pm, Thursday 29 February: ASFI Investor Showcase – The Private Infrastructure Development Group.

• 15-16 May, Sydney: Energy Efficiency Council National Conference.

Opportunities

Visit our Jobs Board to learn about the latest opportunities in sustainable finance. If you would like to advertise any job opportunities to ASFI’s network of sustainable finance and responsible investment professionals, please click here.

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