Australian and New Zealand ESG Update

ASX may be running carbon exchange

The Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) is in the running to develop and run a carbon exchange administered by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER). A tender has been put out inviting expressions of interest for an online exchange-traded market for emissions offsets. The launch date is in 2023. There have been 27 expressions of interest so far.

ISS delves into diversity around sexual orientation to celebrate Pride Month

Responsible investors have long been aware of the potential correlation between good management of diversity issues and strong company performance. To mark #PrideMonth 2021, ISS ESG’s Data Solutions team delves into our trove of governance information in search of insights into how companies are managing diversity around sexual orientation.

This is an excerpt from the full Investing with Pride report from ISS

LGBTQ Pride Month is held every June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots that occurred in the USA in June 1969, to celebrate the contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, and to reflect on how far civil rights have progressed across 50 years.

Amazon shifting to renewables ahead of schedule

Amazon.com Inc has announced new contracts to buy electricity from 14 new renewable energy projects in the United States, Canada, Finland and Spain to get the company to 100% renewable energy by 2025, including in Australia. This is a revised target, with the previous goal being 2030.