Standards & Practice
Working with government, regulators and industry to steward sustainable finance standards and support their practical application domestically and internationally.
Shaping how sustainability is embedded in finance
Clear, credible standards are essential to ensure sustainability considerations are consistently understood, compared and applied across the financial system. They provide a shared foundation for decision-making, risk management and capital allocation.
ASFI plays a stewardship role in the development and application of sustainable finance standards, domestically and internationally, including as custodian of the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.
Alongside standards development, ASFI works with government, regulators and industry to support implementation in practice, share lessons from application, and contribute to alignment with international approaches as sustainable finance frameworks continue to evolve.
Research
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.
