Stewardship, or active ownership, is being embraced by more and more investors as a means to deliver long-term returns while contributing to a more sustainable future. RI Australia 2023 explored current trends in stewardship, examined cases of best practice and explored whether stewardship really can deliver the outcomes we all need.
The shear range of ESG issues facing companies was laid bare during the two– day conference: privacy, e-safety, human rights, modern slavery, psychosocial safety in the workplace, First Nations peoples’ rights, diversity, climate, nature. Within all of this, it is important to prioritise the right issues. After all, as Fiona Reynolds noted during the opening plenary that considered whether ESG is – as some would have it – ‘woke and broke’, at its core, ESG is about considering material risks and maximising opportunities.
RIAA’s 2022 research on stewardship, conducted in partnership with KPMG (Engage, Advocate, Collaborate: Unpacking Stewardship in Australasia in 2022), showed that, while climate change is the number one issue that investors currently engage on, diversity, equity & inclusion and human rights are also a strong focus.
Speakers at RI Australia 2023 demonstrated how important it is to understand companies’ business models and be specific in engagement – something ASX company directors recommended as a way to maximise effectiveness. Stewart Investors’ Pablo Berrutti described:
‘We try to keep the issues very specific…
By Estelle Parker, Executive Manager, Programs at RIAA.
RIAA members read more in our Exclusive Blogs section.
Join now to access members only content.
About the contributors
About the speakers
Estelle Parker
Co-CEO
-
RIAA
With a distinguished 20-year career at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Estelle Parker brings crucial expertise in government relations, policy-making, and themes important to responsible investors, including human rights and the SDGs. As a leader driving RIAA’s research, certification, policy, standards, and working group programs, her leadership has elevated these initiatives to achieve heightened levels of professionalism, impact, and value delivery for our members, aligning seamlessly with RIAA’s strategic objectives.
Beyond her organisational impact, Estelle is a respected figure in the responsible investment landscape, serving as a strong advocate on influential global and government committees, including the Principles for Responsible Investment’s Global Policy Reference Group, the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance and the Australian Government’s Natural Capital Working Group. Additionally, she serves as the Convenor of the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures official Consultation Group for Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Steering Committee for the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute. She is also a member of the Council of the Australian Institute for International Affairs (Victoria).
Stewardship, or active ownership, is being embraced by more and more investors as a means to deliver long-term returns while contributing to a more sustainable future. RI Australia 2023 explored current trends in stewardship, examined cases of best practice and explored whether stewardship really can deliver the outcomes we all need.
The shear range of ESG issues facing companies was laid bare during the two– day conference: privacy, e-safety, human rights, modern slavery, psychosocial safety in the workplace, First Nations peoples’ rights, diversity, climate, nature. Within all of this, it is important to prioritise the right issues. After all, as Fiona Reynolds noted during the opening plenary that considered whether ESG is – as some would have it – ‘woke and broke’, at its core, ESG is about considering material risks and maximising opportunities.
RIAA’s 2022 research on stewardship, conducted in partnership with KPMG (Engage, Advocate, Collaborate: Unpacking Stewardship in Australasia in 2022), showed that, while climate change is the number one issue that investors currently engage on, diversity, equity & inclusion and human rights are also a strong focus.
Speakers at RI Australia 2023 demonstrated how important it is to understand companies’ business models and be specific in engagement – something ASX company directors recommended as a way to maximise effectiveness. Stewart Investors’ Pablo Berrutti described:
‘We try to keep the issues very specific…
By Estelle Parker, Executive Manager, Programs at RIAA.
RIAA members read more in our Exclusive Blogs section.
Join now to access members only content.
