In this issue
- A morning volunteering with The Good Box
- Now is the time to learn about changes to your ‘Support at Home’
- Positive Outlook for Sustainable Investments
Volunteering with The Good Box
On Census night in 2021, more than 122,000 people in Australia were without a home. And the need continues to grow, in 2023-24 specialist homelessness services supported around 280,000 people, with women making up the majority of those seeking help.
Last week, our Brisbane team spent the morning volunteering with The Good Box, an Australian charity and social enterprise that brings care, dignity and connection to people experiencing homelessness. Their mission is simple but powerful: to challenge misconceptions, reduce stigma and make sure people feel seen.
Together, we packed thoughtfully curated boxes filled with essential items including non-perishable food, hygiene products and small comforts that can make tough days a little easier. A personal notes was added to go inside each box.It was hands-on and a reminder that small, practical acts of kindness can go a long way. And yes, we had a whole lot of fun doing it!
Now is the time to learn about changes to your 'Support at Home'
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Positive Outlook for Sustainable Investments
The shift towards ethical and sustainable investing continues to build pace globally and here in Australia. Recent research from the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing shows that almost eight in ten asset managers and over 85% of asset owners expect the share of sustainable assets in their portfolios to grow in the next two years. Many point to strong financial performance and increasingly reliable track records as key reasons for expanding their allocations.
More than 75% of institutional investors now expect physical climate risks to affect asset prices within five years, a view echoed by companies themselves, with over 60% anticipating direct impacts on their operations. Investors are responding by seeking opportunities in climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in areas such as water infrastructure, modernisation of the grid, and improved climate data and analytics.
Closer to home, new research from UNSW shows Australia’s impact investing market has grown far faster than expected. Impact products have increased from $20 billion in 2020 to more than $157 billion today, driven largely by the rapid rise of green, social and sustainability bonds. The number of impact products has grown by 77%, and impact funds and GSS bonds continue to expand as mainstream options for investors looking for both financial returns and measurable positive outcomes.
Morgan Stanley and UNSW Sydney
In Conversations with Al Gore
Recently, some of our EIA advisers at Sky Summit Financial attended ‘In conversation with Al Gore’.
Adviser Nat Chell, shared with us from the evening where Al-Gore spoke candidly about the urgency and complexity of climate action.He led the conversation with the term “Climate Realism,” and how this term is largely being used as a form of climate denial and deferral that downplays the severity of future climate impacts. He warned that the term is increasingly used to downplay the severity of climate change, promoting adaptation and delay over real mitigation.Despite the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution, Al pointed out that the energy demands of data centres, infrastructure and fast-growing consumption mean AI is unlikely to deliver the carbon reductions many hope for, at least not unless energy sources are radically decarbonised.
His number one carbon emission problem that he believes contributes to large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions (methane) is “open land fill”. According to Al, covering and properly managing landfill waste, rather than leaving it exposed could dramatically reduce greenhouse-gas emissions worldwide.On a personal note, Nat and Al connected over the importance of biodiversity, land regeneration and the role of sustainable farming – themes Al is putting into practice on his own Tennessee property. We’re thankful that Nat had the opportunity to bring back these powerful perspectives.
The contents of this newsletter are intended as general advice only. No specific person’s circumstances, financial situation or objectives have been taken into consideration. You should not act on the information provided without seeking personal advice from an appropriately qualified financial planner. Research sources: CAER Corporate Monitor. While the source has been verified as reliable, the actual content has not been checked for accuracy. Consequently Ethical Investment Advisers does not warrant the accuracy of the information nor accept liability for any errors in the data.
