The Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy: Unlocking sustainable investment for minerals, mining and metals
Free public webinar presented by the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute
Join us for a webinar exploring the critical ‘minerals, mining and metals’ priority sector within the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.
The Australian Taxonomy Development Project – a collaboration between the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute (ASFI) and the Commonwealth Treasury – commenced in July 2023. The taxonomy provides clear and consistent criteria for identifying sustainable economic activities, helping companies and investors align with Australia’s net-zero commitments by 2050.
This targeted session will provide an in-depth look at how the taxonomy will transform capital allocation and sustainability assessment in the minerals, mining, and metals industries. As the heavy industry sector faces unprecedented decarbonisation challenges, this taxonomy represents a pivotal tool for strategic decision-making and sustainable investment, which will make it easier to identify opportunities, create sustainable assets and activities and guide capital.
The webinar will help attendees understand how the taxonomy will:
- provide clear, consistent definitions for sustainable economic activities in minerals, mining, and metals
- assess whether economic activities are aligned with or contribute to net-zero sustainability goals
- guide capital allocation to sustainable projects, reduce transaction costs and boost investor confidence
- support Australia’s 2050 net-zero commitment.
The initial taxonomy development phase will cover climate mitigation criteria for six priority economic sectors, with the minerals, mining and metals sector of primary relevance to HILT CRC partners and stakeholders.
WEBINAR AGENDA
- Welcome – Jenny Selway, CEO, HILT CRC.
- The Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy – Nicole Yazbek-Martin and Michael Dolan, ASFI.
- Q&A moderated by Associate Professor Fiona Beck, Australian National University and HILT CRC Program 3 Leader. Nicole and Michael will be joined by Bridget Boulle from the Climate Bonds Initiative to answer attendees’ questions.
Watch a recording of the webinar:
SPEAKERS
Nicole Yazbek-Martin, Australian Sustainable Finance Institute
As Head of Taxonomy and Natural Capital at ASFI, Nicole leads the development of the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, working closely with government and regulators to develop common definitions for sustainable economic activities and investments. She also leads a body of work at ASFI with major finance sector entities to integrate nature considerations into financial capital allocation decisions.
Nicole has a background in climate and sustainability in government, banking, private equity and law. She has deep knowledge and experience working across the finance value chain on structuring sustainable products, assessing sustainable investment credentials and applying key sustainability monitoring frameworks, and has led the review of major climate policies, including the Emissions Reduction Fund, during her time in the public sector. Nicole holds a Master of Laws in international trade and postgraduate qualifications in finance and economics.
Michael Dolan, Australian Sustainable Finance Institute
As Taxonomy Technical Manager at ASFI, Michael supports the development of the Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy. As well as managing and contributing to the development of the six initial sectors in scope for the first phase of the taxonomy, he develops elements related to the taxonomy’s implementation, including technical and policy advice related to use cases, long-term governance arrangements, and usability.
Prior to moving to ASFI, Michael was the International Policy Manager at Climateworks Centre, a climate change mitigation thinktank in Australia and Southeast Asia, focusing on emerging market transitions, energy and climate finance, and climate diplomacy. Michael holds a Master of Environment and a Bachelor of Economics and Political Economy (Hons).
Bridget Boulle, Climate Bonds Initiative
Bridget is Director of Technical Development at the Climate Bonds Initiative, where she has worked since 2012. In her current position, she is responsible for the Policy, Standards, Taxonomy and Market Intelligence teams. Before this, she worked as Head of Taxonomies, where projects included the Common Ground Taxonomy through the International Platform on Sustainable Finance as well as ASEAN, Singapore and others. Her previous roles have included Head of Market Intelligence, Head of Asia Pacific, and Content and Production Manager. Currently based in Cape Town, South Africa, Bridget has been working in sustainable finance for 15 years in London, Sydney and Cape Town.