With the 2020s often termed ‘the decade of action’ there has been a shift in companies (67 percent of ASX100) linking the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) into their business activities.

Business is a critical player in achieving the Paris climate goals and is certainly not immune from the physical effects of climate change or the impacts of transitioning to a net zero economy.

The Q1 results are clear; despite trillions of dollars being wiped off the market, globally, ESG funds simply lost less.

Expectations that businesses need to act to minimise their contribution to potential future climate change have increased.

Whilst we are still in the early days, initial indications from the capital markets show ESG investments are performing at least as well as mainstream funds and new capital is continuing to flow into ESG investments.

The circular economy is about working with governments and businesses to help them suck every molecule of value from finite resources.

Increasingly investors, regulators, and other major stakeholders are demanding organisations to report their exposure to climate-related financial risks.

To prevent climate change we need both a global ambition and an action plan.

The budget attempts to have something for everyone, but those waiting for a strong signal about Australia’s response to climate change will again be disappointed.