Public Policy

The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) has lodged its submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s consultation on Implementing Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2024–2030.

ASFI has responded to Treasury’s Draft Transition Planning Guidance, supporting clear and internationally aligned standards to help businesses develop credible transition plans. Our submission calls for stronger principles, clarity on government direction, use of the Australian taxonomy, funding disclosure, robust First Nations engagement, and clear guardrails on carbon credits.

ASFI’s submission highlights the importance of clear, Paris-aligned guidance for credible transition planning, recommending stronger safeguards on taxonomies and capital expenditure alignment to ensure finance supports genuine decarbonisation.

ASFI has responded to the Climate Change Authority’s 2025 Issues Paper, emphasising the link between climate change and productivity, the need for strong policy signals to unlock investment in mitigation and adaptation, and the role of supportive regulatory settings. Our submission highlights reforms to drive decarbonisation, resilience, and capital flows towards Australia’s net zero transition.

ASFI has lodged its submission to Treasury’s consultation on Sustainable Investment Product Labels. We support a flexible, credible framework that improves transparency, reduces greenwashing, and aligns with international approaches. The submission sets out three core principles; flexibility, integrity and international alignment, to strengthen consumer trust and grow Australia’s sustainable finance market.

The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Productivity Commission’s consultation on ‘Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation.’

The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Australian Accounting Standards Board’s exposure draft of proposed amendments to the S2 standard.

The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the TNFD’s discussion paper on nature transition plans. Nature loss poses considerable systemic and organisational risks to financial institutions. In this regard, we welcome the focus from the TNFD on nature transition plans, including the recommendations that organisations seek to move towards integrated transition plans (covering a range of sustainability issues) in time.

ASFI has made a submission to ASIC’s consultation paper on its proposed regulatory guidance for sustainability reporting.

ASFI welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to Australia’s Carbon Leakage review.

ASFI welcomes the opportunity to respond to consultations on the establishment of a new ‘Front Door’ for major transformational investments, announced as part of the Future Made in Australia package.

The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) is pleased to respond to Treasury consultations in relation to the National Competition Policy (NCP).

ASFI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ consultation on green metals.

The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to provide input and feedback to the Parliament of South Australia Natural Resources Committee’s Inquiry on Environmental, Social & Governance.

The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the Australian Government’s plan to progress Nature Positive law reforms.

ASFI welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback in relation to the Australian Government’s consultation paper on design options for the Your Future Your Super (YFYS) Annual Superannuation Performance Test.

The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Australian Accounting Standards Board’s exposure draft climate disclosure standards.

The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Exposure Draft of the Climate-related financial disclosure legislation.

Find ASFI’s submission on the Agriculture and Land Sectoral Plan.

Read ASFI’s submission to the Government’s Sustainable Finance Strategy Consultation.

After two years of iterative development, on 18 September 2023, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) published its final (v1.0) recommendations for nature-related risk management and disclosure. Read our “ASFI explainer” for the final recommendations.

ASFI contributed to a joint submission to the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) on proposed priorities for its next two-year work plan together with 15 peak professional, industry and investors bodies in Australia.

In July 2023, the Australian Treasury invited feedback on its second consultation paper on Climate-related Disclosures. ASFI supports the introduction of mandatory climate disclosures for the Australian market. A robust and workable climate disclosures framework will help financial institutions make better decisions, firms understand and manage climate risk and opportunity, and regulators combat greenwashing.

Find ASFI’s submission to the Climate Change Authority’s consultation on “Setting, tracking and achieving Australia’s emissions reduction targets”.

Read ASFI’s submission to the Nature Repair Market (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023.

Read ASFI’s submission on the Australian Government’s Safeguard Mechanism Reform.

The Australian Government is developing a nature repair market to encourage investment in biodiversity and drive environmental improvements across Australia. Read ASFI’s submission to the Bill.

Read ASFI’s submission on the Australian Government’s Climate-related Disclosures Consultation

Read our submission on the National Reconstruction fund.