Public Policy
Deep public sector expertise and strong government relationships drive and support policy reform for better climate and sustainability outcomes.
Policy and regulation fundamentally influence the flow of capital
Policy and regulatory settings that support sustainable finance are critical to ensure Australia’s ongoing access to capital, to drive our domestic transition, and support financial institutions to embed sustainability considerations into financial decision making for stronger long term returns.
ASFI acts as a bridge between finance sector and policy makers, promoting reforms that can unlock private capital for climate in Australia and in the Asia-Pacific.
We support our members to navigate the complexity of government policy processes, and engage directly through briefings, roundtables, and other engagements.
Policy Submissions
ASFI outlines key design principles for Australia’s $1.1bn Cleaner Fuels Program, focusing on taxonomy alignment, cost-effective abatement and policy settings to unlock low-carbon liquid fuels.
ASFI’s submission to DFAT’s Southeast Asia FTAs modernisation review, outlining priorities to support green trade, sustainable investment and regional capital flows
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) has lodged its submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s consultation on Implementing Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2024–2030.
ASFI has responded to Treasury’s Draft Transition Planning Guidance, supporting clear and internationally aligned standards to help businesses develop credible transition plans. Our submission calls for stronger principles, clarity on government direction, use of the Australian taxonomy, funding disclosure, robust First Nations engagement, and clear guardrails on carbon credits.
ASFI’s submission highlights the importance of clear, Paris-aligned guidance for credible transition planning, recommending stronger safeguards on taxonomies and capital expenditure alignment to ensure finance supports genuine decarbonisation.
ASFI has responded to the Climate Change Authority’s 2025 Issues Paper, emphasising the link between climate change and productivity, the need for strong policy signals to unlock investment in mitigation and adaptation, and the role of supportive regulatory settings. Our submission highlights reforms to drive decarbonisation, resilience, and capital flows towards Australia’s net zero transition.
ASFI has lodged its submission to Treasury’s consultation on Sustainable Investment Product Labels. We support a flexible, credible framework that improves transparency, reduces greenwashing, and aligns with international approaches. The submission sets out three core principles; flexibility, integrity and international alignment, to strengthen consumer trust and grow Australia’s sustainable finance market.
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Productivity Commission’s consultation on ‘Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation.’
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Australian Accounting Standards Board’s exposure draft of proposed amendments to the S2 standard.
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the TNFD’s discussion paper on nature transition plans. Nature loss poses considerable systemic and organisational risks to financial institutions. In this regard, we welcome the focus from the TNFD on nature transition plans, including the recommendations that organisations seek to move towards integrated transition plans (covering a range of sustainability issues) in time.
ASFI has made a submission to ASIC’s consultation paper on its proposed regulatory guidance for sustainability reporting.
ASFI welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to Australia’s Carbon Leakage review.
ASFI welcomes the opportunity to respond to consultations on the establishment of a new ‘Front Door’ for major transformational investments, announced as part of the Future Made in Australia package.
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) is pleased to respond to Treasury consultations in relation to the National Competition Policy (NCP).
ASFI welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ consultation on green metals.
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to provide input and feedback to the Parliament of South Australia Natural Resources Committee’s Inquiry on Environmental, Social & Governance.
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the Australian Government’s plan to progress Nature Positive law reforms.
ASFI welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback in relation to the Australian Government’s consultation paper on design options for the Your Future Your Super (YFYS) Annual Superannuation Performance Test.
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Australian Accounting Standards Board’s exposure draft climate disclosure standards.
The Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Exposure Draft of the Climate-related financial disclosure legislation.
After two years of iterative development, on 18 September 2023, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) published its final (v1.0) recommendations for nature-related risk management and disclosure. Read our “ASFI explainer” for the final recommendations.
ASFI contributed to a joint submission to the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) on proposed priorities for its next two-year work plan together with 15 peak professional, industry and investors bodies in Australia.
In July 2023, the Australian Treasury invited feedback on its second consultation paper on Climate-related Disclosures. ASFI supports the introduction of mandatory climate disclosures for the Australian market. A robust and workable climate disclosures framework will help financial institutions make better decisions, firms understand and manage climate risk and opportunity, and regulators combat greenwashing.
Find ASFI’s submission to the Climate Change Authority’s consultation on “Setting, tracking and achieving Australia’s emissions reduction targets”.
Read ASFI’s submission to the Nature Repair Market (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023.
The Australian Government is developing a nature repair market to encourage investment in biodiversity and drive environmental improvements across Australia. Read ASFI’s submission to the Bill.
Read ASFI’s submission on the Australian Government’s Climate-related Disclosures Consultation
Policy Insights
Work Programs
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Public Policy
ASFI is actively engaging with the Australian Government on a range of policy areas to support the flow of finance and investment for climate, nature, and social outcomes in Australia.
Leveraging our deep public sector expertise and strong government relationships, ASFI drives and supports policy reform for better climate and sustainability outcomes.
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Sustainability Standards and Practice
ASFI’s standards and practice work predominantly supports Australian financial institutions to pilot the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy in practice.
ASFI works in partnership with the Australian Government and members to inform future guidance and uses, and on the international harmonisation of taxonomies.
ASFI is actively promoting Australia's approach to green and transition finance through a range of bilateral and multilateral fora, and as technical and private sector partner to the Australian Government.
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Blended Finance
Blended finance, where public investment helps de-risk projects and crowd in private investment, is a key tool for decarbonisation and climate resilience. Effective blended finance structures to accelerate the flow of capital into projects and organisations that deliver sustainable outcomes.
This work program is being undertaken in partnership with Government, in particular the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the ACCC has granted ASFI formal authorisation to work with institutions and governments on co-designing new blended finance structures.
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Leadership and Capability
ASFI is committed to embedding sustainability into leadership and practice across the financial services landscape, and is actively working to unlock financial institution skills, leadership, and ambition on sustainable finance.
Leadership is critical to sharpening organisational focus on sustainability, driving internal buy-in and culture, and facilitating action across the real economy. ASFI works in partnership with the Australian Government, members and others to deliver targeted courses, mentor programs, working groups, member delegations and a Capability Framework.
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First Nations and Finance
ASFI is positioned to act as a partner to First Nations-led businesses, Peaks, projects, Nations and communities, as lasting impact depends on First Nations leadership being centred and supported, not substituted.
This approach embeds First Nations rights in financial decision-making; increases access to finance and support for First Nations communities and businesses; elevates First Nations perspectives and priorities across Australia’s financial system; and ensures more First Nations peoples in Australia benefit from economic self-determination.