Currently, there is a lack of consequence and impact for an organisation whose current activities constitute what I refer to as “Greenwashing 2.0”.

It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land.

Looking after the world we live in for future generations is not just important to communities and society at large, but to business as well. Embedding ESG, or environmental, social and governance principles into a company’s strategy is now a business imperative.

Australia’s current position of ‘preferably by 2050’ is likely to come under increasing pressure during 2021 due to international government regulatory changes as well as rapid changes in the private sector.

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.