The global climate solutions market is booming, with substantial capital available for investment gravitating towards regions with robust policies, as seen in the US, Japan, and Europe. For Australia to remain competitive and avoid jeopardising its economic stability and energy security, it must attract investment and prevent capital flight.

Is Australia's current policy framework strong enough to draw in global capital and retain domestic investment?

This panel will focus on international policy strategies and global best practices and examine how Australia can enhance its policy environment to stay competitive in the international climate solutions market.

Designed for: government relations & policy teams, policymakers, regulators, chief investment officers, strategists, macro economists.

Session Sponsor: Mirova

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  Rod Sims AO

  Chair at The Superpower Institute
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  Sonya Sawtell-Rickson

  Chief Investment Officer at HESTA
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  Zoe Whitton

  Managing Director, Head of Strategy and Impact at Pollination
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  Guy Debelle

  Investment Committee Adviser at Australian Retirement Trust
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  Nathan Fabian

  Chief Sustainable Systems Officer at PRI
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  Manuel Coeslier

  Lead Expert, Climate at Mirova

Investor engagement in recent years has contributed to better corporate climate governance, target setting, and disclosure. The focus is now on driving significant decarbonisation. Many investors are strengthening stewardship teams and enhancing internal capabilities to implement effective engagement strategies.

However, challenges remain, including navigating an evolving policy and regulatory landscape, overcoming political and internal pushback, and acquiring the necessary technical and scientific knowledge across multiple sectors and companies.

This panel will explore how investors of different sizes can overcome these challenges and resource their teams effectively, examining strategies such as hiring or upskilling, joining collaborative initiatives, conducting research, and developing data capabilities for impactful climate engagement.

Designed for: Chief Investment Officers, Chief Strategy Officers, Company Directors.

Session sponsor: Australian Ethical Investment

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  Alison George

  Head of Impact & Ethics at Australian Ethical Investment
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  David Russell

  Chair at Transition Pathway Initiative - TPI
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  Alison Ewings

  General Manager, ESG at QIC
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  Sasha Courville

  Chairperson at Aluminium Stewardship Initiative

The Australian Government will soon announce a new 2035 emissions target and detailed sector-by-sector decarbonisation plans to achieve it. The Climate Change Authority is the key independent statuary body advising the Government on this target and plan.

The Government’s target and plans will guide capital across the economy. Policies will touch every sector and asset class.

What action from government, business, investors and the community are needed to achieve an orderly transition to net zero emissions?

The Chair of the Climate Change Authority will outline the recent advice to the Australian Parliament on its recommended targets, sector policies and actions are needed.

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  Hon. Matt Kean

  Chair, Climate Change Authority, Former State Member for Hornsby, Former NSW Treasurer & Energy Minister, Director Regulatory Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, Wollemi Capital of Climate Change Authority & Wollemi Capital

While climate risks have become mainstream in business and investment, 'nature' is emerging as a key investment consideration. Many Australian trading partners are enacting policies that will affect businesses exposed to high levels of nature risk. Nature-related investment risk is where climate risk was five to eight years ago but is progressing more rapidly.

With 30-40% of Australia’s economy facing moderate to high exposure to nature risk, including clean water, air, and soil, new global policies will incentivise Australian companies to adopt nature-positive practices. This panel will explore how investors can address these challenges to remain competitive while safeguarding Australia’s environment.

Designed for: senior investment strategists, trustees, senior economists.

Session sponsor: New Forest, Windlab and MSCI

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  Estelle Parker

  Co-CEO of Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA)
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  Mark Rogers

  CEO of New Forests
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  Nathan Blundell

  Chief Development Officer at Windlab
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  Marina Wang

  Senior Investment Analyst at UniSuper
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  Kuldeep Yadav

  Head of ESG & Climate Research, Australia and New Zealand at MSCI

By harnessing ultra low-cost renewables, Australia can drive decarbonisation solutions for green metals and critical minerals, exporting embedded green energy to the world. This will stimulate domestic economic growth through investment, job creation, and productivity gains, and help other countries decarbonise their energy systems and supply chains.

For investors to confidently allocate capital to develop new green industries, they need assurance of strong market demand and an ample supply of renewable energy.
This panel will discuss the impact of the Future Made in Australia agenda, and the changing dynamic between industry, energy and trade in the transition to net zero.

Sessions sponsors: Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Fidelity

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  Monique Miller

  Chief Investment Officer – Renewables and Sustainable Finance at Clean Energy Finance Corporation
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  Sam Heithersay

  Investment Analyst at Fidelity International
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  Marghanita Johnson

  CEO of Australian Aluminium Council
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  Ian Lieblich

  Head of ESG at EG Funds
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  Tsen Wong

  Head of Energy Transition - REI Australia at ANZ

The Federal Government is implementing and developing policies that will materially impact on the ability of investors to allocate capital to transformational emissions reductions and adaptation. Investor needs are at the heart of these considerations.

Australia’s Net Zero Australia Plan – 2035 target and sector-by-sector plans – and National Adaptation Plan will be finalised in the coming months. Both are economy-wide plans to ensure Australia remains prosperous and resilient in the decades ahead.

What are the Government’s key priorities in the Net Zero Australia Plan and National Adaptation Plan and what role do investors having in shaping these policies?

The Minister responsible for the delivery of Australia’s net zero and adaptation policies will provide an update on policy development, the Government’s priorities and how investors can influence policy outcomes in line with the best financial interest duty.

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  Hon Chris Bowen MP

  Minister for Climate Change and Energy at Australian Government

As climate-related damage and disruption escalate, the impact on Australia’s economy will rise. Increased awareness of physical risks in businesses and investment portfolios could, at some point, cause significant capital flight from vulnerable regions and industries, echoing trends in insurance and banking.

Drawing on new research by IGCC and Energetics, this panel will examine the dynamics for exposed regions and industries, and the actions investors and policymakers can take to get private capital flowing for resilience and adaptation.


Designed for: Banking, insurance, investment professionals, policy decision makers, mayors from exposed regions, agriculture industry, strategists, chief investment officers, risk officers.

Session sponsors: IFM Investors, ERM Energetics and Zurich Resilience Solutions

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  Nicolette Botha

  Head of Climate Resilience Services APAC at Zurich Resilience Solutions
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  Olivia Kember

  Principal Consultant at ERM Energetics
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  Rena Pulido

  Head of Sustainable Investment, Australia at IFM Investors
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  Andrew Sellick

  Senior Principal at QIC

As the world transitions to a net zero economy, demand for fossil fuels will decline - what is Australia’s next top export? Australia’s economy currently relies on the export of fossil fuels and iron ore. However, with fossil fuels set to decline and steel makers looking for iron ore that can be used to produce green steel, how will Australia retain its position as a key global exporter in a decarbonised economy?

This panel will explore the consequences to our economy if Australia can no longer rely on exporting fossil fuels and high emissions iron/iron ore, and how it can maintain a foothold in the global steel industry by supplying green iron.

Designed for: ESG staff, business decision-makers, senior policymakers and advisors, economists, investment strategists.

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  James Choi

  Managing Director of J2 Advisory
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  Tanya Hodgson

  Manager Business Development and Transactions at Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
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  Daniela Jaramillo

  Head of Sustainable Investing, Australia at Fidelity International
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  Frank Jotzo

  Head of Energy at Australian National University

Companies’ just transition planning is essential for managing social risks during the energy transition. It’s a key element of corporate climate action. But what's needed to enable a just transition in Australia?

This panel discussion will feature recent insights from the Climate Action 100+ regional thematic initiative, offering guidelines for Australian investor engagement on corporate just transition planning. Our panellists will offer diverse perspectives on key considerations, sectoral and regional differences, investor engagement, company responses, and the current policy context.

Designed for: asset owners, corporates, industry bodies, policy makers, community organisations.

Session sponsor: Adamantem Capital

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  Liza McDonald

  Head of Responsible Investments at Aware Super
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  Felicity Ryan

  A/g First Assistant Secretary, Industry and Investment Division at Net Zero Economy Authority
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  Amanda Cahill

  Chief Executive Officer at The Next Economy
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  Natasha Morris

  Managing Director Responsibility and Impact of Adamantem Capital