Exploring the expansion of the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) is leading research to expand the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy beyond climate mitigation, ensuring capital flows support broader environmental and social objectives.
ASFI’s expansion research explores how Australia’s taxonomy can evolve beyond climate to cover other sustainability objectives.
The report — Integrating Nature into Finance — was commissioned by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), with strategic support from the Treasury and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
The report explores science-based methods for developing draft taxonomy nature criteria for agriculture, forestry and land management, providing a pathway for capital to flow into practices that protect biodiversity, strengthen agricultural productivity and build long-term resilience.
Taxonomy Expansion Research
Integrating Nature into Finance: Laying the foundations to expand the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy to drive positive environmental outcomes in the agriculture and land sectors
The Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy is the first in the world to cover the mining sector, and now ASFI is once again breaking new ground, after being engaged to explore science-based methods for developing draft taxonomy nature criteria for agriculture, forestry and land management – sectors critical to biodiversity, water, pollution management and national resilience.
Recognising the interconnectedness of climate and nature, ASFI was commissioned by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to explore how the taxonomy could expand to include nature-related objectives.
The research report, titled ‘Integrating Nature into Finance’ was guided by senior officials from Treasury, DCCEEW and the Department of Agriculture, with input from major agricultural lenders, including the world's leading specialist bank for food and agribusiness Rabobank, financial institutions, superannuation funds, First Nations organisations, and leading environmental groups.
This rigorous process has ensured that the research outcomes reflect diverse expertise and exhibit broad market credibility. It marks an important step toward integrating nature-related objectives into financial decision-making and supporting Australia's commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2024-2030.
Launch Event:
Integrating Nature into Finance
On Tuesday 16 September 2025 between 1pm and 2pm (AEST), ASFI will host an online launch event for the report ‘Integrating Nature into Finance: Laying the foundations to expand the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy to drive positive environmental outcomes in the agriculture and land sectors.’
Commissioned by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), with strategic support from the Commonwealth Treasury and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), this report will introduce exploratory draft nature criteria for agriculture and land management activities that contribute to biodiversity protection, sustainable water use, and pollution prevention.
The launch will host a panel of expert speakers including, Melanie Madders, Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Mark Robinson, NAB, Jurre Smits, Rabobank, Mel Cutler GAICD, Australian Land Conservation Alliance and Kristy Graham, CEO of ASFI.
Moderated by Nicole Yazbek-Martin, ASFI’s Executive Manager of Sustainability Standards & Practice, the discussion will unpack the findings, explore investment implications, and examine how capital can drive positive outcomes in these critical sectors.
