Written by:
Future Group
14 April 2024
Future Group has established a Carbon Advisory Board as part of our commitment to implementing a science-aligned strategy toward achieving net zero emissions.
Research shows 88% of people want their super invested responsibly and ethically, and 79% want to see a formal commitment to reduce emissions and a net zero commitment from their fund.
As Future Group implements our net zero plan, we want to see the superannuation industry as a whole progress towards that goal too.
To get there, we’ve enlisted the skills of Jeremy Cooper to complement Future Group’s expertise. Jeremy was the Deputy Chair of ASIC and was subsequently appointed by the government to lead a wide-ranging review of the superannuation system, known as the Cooper Review.
Jeremy will act as external chair of the Carbon Advisory Board as it works to engage key stakeholders across academia, government, regulators and the superannuation industry to understand how we can work together to achieve net zero.
All super funds are being mandated to consider the climate impact of their investments and operations under new disclosure requirements around climate risks and opportunities, which will apply to most super funds by 2026.
“Super members will benefit from these new disclosure requirements because they will understand the impact their super is having on the climate. There’s also the sunshine theory, which suggests that if you shine a light on something it tends to get better. So I believe these disclosures will play a part in uplifting the practices of the whole industry over time,” Jeremy explains.
The Carbon Advisory Board will advise on Future Group’s approach to managing both climate-related risks and opportunities alongside the development of our net zero strategy. It will also assess Future Group’s progress towards interim targets and share insights on sustainable finance and climate risk research developments.
“When I think about the biggest challenge facing us right now - it’s climate change. I’m not a scientist but I’ve thrown myself into the issue of climate when it comes to the area where I do have some expertise, superannuation,” Jeremy says.
“There is enormous potential through the power of capital to achieve net zero and to fund climate solutions, but there’s work to be done to unlock that power.”
Future Group has been focused on investing for a future worth retiring into since our inception - with divestment, reinvestment and meaningful engagement guided by rigorous screens and ESG principles at the core of our work.
Future Group’s operations are also certified carbon neutral by Climate Active. Implementing a science-backed net zero plan, developed in partnership with the Institute of Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology, Sydney, across our portfolios takes this work a step further.
Who’s on Future Group’s Carbon Advisory Board?
Chief Impact Officer, Emily Flood
Sustainability & DEIB Manager, Steve James
Chief Risk Officer, Fahmi Hosain
Senior Impact Analyst, Navi Mangalvedhekar
External Chair, Jeremy Cooper
