On 22 August 2024, the Senate passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (the Bill), which requires certain organisations to make mandatory climate-related financial...more
In this week’s edition, we discuss a drop in support for ESG shareholder proposals at one of the world’s largest asset managers; a decision by a U.S. federal court to strike down an anti-ESG investing rule in Missouri; and...more
The Development: On August 22, 2024, the Australian Senate passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill 2024 ("Bill")....more
Australian Update - Proposed Code of Practice to Reduce Modern Slavery Through Lending, Investment and Asset Management - The New South Wales (NSW) Anti-Slavery Commissioner (Commissioner) recently released its discussion...more
Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” was one of the highest grossing music tours of all time with approximate proceeds exceeding US$1 billion. While this is a monumental feat, Taylor Swift also gained negative attention during the tour...more
On 27 March 2024, the Australian Government published the first reading draft of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (New Bill), which superseded the previous exposure...more
AUSTRALIAN UPDATE - Updated Bill to Introduce Climate-Related Financial Reporting Regime - Background - The Australian Government released the first reading draft of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market...more
Australian Update - Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Enforcement Priorities for 2024-2025 - The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its enforcement and compliance priorities for...more
On 27 March 2024, Australia's climate disclosure regime moved a significant step closer to implementation, with the federal government's introduction of proposed legislation into Parliament. Any organisations with a presence...more
Australian Update - Australian Securities and Investments Commission Continues Greenwashing Enforcement Efforts - On 28 February 2024, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) reported that an outsourced...more
Australia continues to be a highly active jurisdiction for climate-related lawsuits. Since our last update in August 2023, we have seen a steady stream of suits commenced against corporations and government bodies in relation...more
Australian Update - Draft Legislation – Climate-Related Financial Disclosures The Australian Government has released Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2024: Climate-related financial disclosure, which is draft legislation...more
Australian Update - ASIC to Focus on Net Zero Statements and Targets - On 21-22 November 2023, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) hosted the ASIC Annual Forum, outlining: The progress and outcomes ASIC...more
Australian Update - Warnings Issued About Active Investment Greenwashing As reported by the Australian Financial Review, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has warned that superannuation funds who justify...more
On August 10, 2023, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced its third civil penalty proceeding this year for greenwashing against LGSS Pty Limited, which is trustee for superannuation fund Local...more
In a speech delivered at the Australian Finance Review’s ESG summit on June 5, 2023, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) Chair, Joe Longo, warned companies that greenwashing is an ongoing concern for...more
On February 28, 2023, Australia’s securities regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), announced that it had commenced “civil penalty proceedings” in federal court against Mercer Superannuation...more
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) appears to be making up for lost time as it imposed another greenwashing-related penalty, this time against Black Mountain Energy, an upstream oil and gas company,...more
In June 2022, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) released guidance (INFO 271) for entities offering sustainability-related financial products to avoid making misrepresentations in promotional material,...more
This edition of the Update covers: KEY LEGAL AND REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS Regulatory Priorities ASIC and APRA Release Their Corporate Plans for 2021-25 On 26 August 2021, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission...more
Following in the footsteps of its international counterparts, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority ("APRA") is ramping up its guidance on the management of climate-related risks. On 22 April 2021, APRA released...more