Insights

Australian insights

New Forests launches first global natural capital strategy(Opens in a new tab/window)

New Forests, a Sydney-based global investment manager of nature-based real assets and natural capital strategies, has announced(Opens in a new tab/window) the launch of its Global Landscape Opportunities (GLO) strategy. The GLO strategy will invest across a broad spectrum of natural capital assets, including sustainable forestry assets, agricultural land and food production systems, carbon and climate-related investments, and biodiversity and ecosystem markets. The GLO, which is for institutional investment only, brings together opportunities across North America, Europe, Australia-New Zealand, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa into a single, globally integrated portfolio. The launch is responding to growing investor demand, as capital markets increasingly recognising the role of land-based assets in delivering inflation resilience, diversification, and the potential for attractive long-term real returns, alongside environmental outcomes. 

Landmark Australian impact lending partnership(Opens in a new tab/window)

The Nari Nari Tribal Council (NNTC) has acquired(Opens in a new tab/window) the Great Cumbung, 34,000-hectares in south-west New South Wales of significant wetland Country, for ongoing protection and restoration. The acquisition of Juanbung and Boyong Stations, was supported through a $15 million impact loan from Bank Australia and commitment from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. The wetland sits alongside Gayini, a 90,000-hectare sister property across the river that’s already owned and managed by the NNTC. These two sites form one of the largest and most significant areas of First Nations-led stewardship in Australia. The NNTC will now embark on a significant program of long-term conservation works, including removing floodplain barriers, regenerating native wetland and woodland systems, and protecting habitat for threatened species. The long-term environmental stewardship will also improve carbon sequestration in the region, reflecting growing recognition that Indigenous-led land management and climate action go hand in hand.

Bank Australia(Opens in a new tab/window) contributed $1.5 million, 4% of its net profit after tax in 2025, to its impact fund. 

Nature‑related risks and the EPBC reforms: what Australian boards need to know (Opens in a new tab/window)

The Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative (CCLI) has published(Opens in a new tab/window) insights on what it thinks boards need to know on nature-related risks and Australia’s environmental law reforms. For Directors, CCLI suggests that nature-related risks are no longer a peripheral consideration, instead the key question is what do these risks mean in the context of Directors own organisations. Environmental reforms and the rapid growth of global nature-related disclosure expectations are reshaping the governance and accountability landscape for Australian companies. CCLI identifies the key takeaways from the amendments to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act for boards are:

• Clearer national environmental standards - reforms are sharpening the expectations of board oversight and have direct implications for directors’ duties.
• Environmental offsets and clear visibility of physical risk - reforms also strengthen requirements to first avoid and mitigate environmental harm, and only where impacts cannot be avoided, to offset residual damage and deliver a net gain for nature.
• Clearer limits and stronger enforcement - ensure breaches are properly managed, hold offenders to account, and prevent non-compliance from being treated as a routine cost of doing business.

Voluntary Biodiversity Credit Markets Report 2026(Opens in a new tab/window)

The Pollination Foundation has published(Opens in a new tab/window) a report providing practical insights, based on a survey of 52 market actors, on voluntary biodiversity credit markets. Pollination’s analysis shows that buyers are motivated less by price than by confidence, credibility and connection to place. Other factors that rank above cost in reported purchasing decisions include location and proximity to operations, verification, standards and Indigenous-led design.  

DCCEEW consultations open on National Environmental Standards(Opens in a new tab/window)

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has two consultations open for feedback on the exposure drafts of the National Environmental Standards. These are both open until Tuesday, 7 July 2026.

• Data and Information(Opens in a new tab/window) - Statutory consultation on the exposure draft of the National Environmental Standard for Data and Information (Data and Information Standard).
• Community Engagement(Opens in a new tab/window) - Consultation on the exposure draft of the National Environmental Standard for Community Engagement (CE Standard).

John Bradley to lead Australia’s National Environmental Protection Agency(Opens in a new tab/window)

Mr John Bradley PSM will be the first CEO(Opens in a new tab/window) of Australia’s National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Mr Bradley has been appointed for 5 years. He has over 25 years of leadership experience across environment, water, energy, climate and planning. His experience includes work across government, industry and the not-for-profit sector in environment, resources, energy and water.

The National EPA, an independent regulator, will begin operations on 1 July, bringing together Australia’s main national environmental regulatory functions. A key focus will be building strong relationships with the state and territories, industry and the community. The National EPA will:

• improve compliance with environmental laws
• improve accountability and transparency in decision making
• support national productivity through faster, more efficient project decisions.

CEFC and Cleanaway: Investing in the sustainable future of Australia, together(Opens in a new tab/window)

Cleanaway and the CEFC have committed(Opens in a new tab/window) $180 million since 2017, to transform Australia’s waste sector, targeting hard‑to‑abate emissions and shifting from landfill disposal to a circular, resource‑recovery model. The collaboration combines landfill methane capture, low‑emissions transport, advanced recycling, organics processing (FOGO), and energy‑from‑waste to deliver measurable emissions reductions and operational improvements. Investments are expanding facilities like Eastern Creek Organics, developing innovations like Cycleback Plastics, and promoting education programs to reduce waste, cut methane emissions, and support Australia’s transition to a circular economy.

Queensland government consultation on bioregional planning(Opens in a new tab/window)

The Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation has released(Opens in a new tab/window) the first two draft bioregional guidance plans for public consultation. The draft plans focus on:

• wind farm development in the Collinsville area of the Brigalow Belt North bioregion in Northern Queensland, and 
• minerals mining in the Julia Creek and Richmond area of the Gulf Plains bioregion in North-Western Queensland. 

Under national environmental laws, decision‑makers must have regard to bioregional guidance plans when making assessment and approval decisions. Bioregional planning is a way to plan for the environment and manage development at a landscape scale, that considers entire regions rather than individual projects. 

The draft plans are open for public comment through to 17 July 2026. 

AASB encourages input to SASB standards (Opens in a new tab/window)

The Australian Accounting Standards Board has noted(Opens in a new tab/window) the International Sustainability Standards Board’s consultation on industry-based standards, as an opportunity for Australian stakeholders to help shape the future of industry-based sustainability disclosures.  The consultation, which has a focus on agriculture products; meat, poultry and dairy; electric utilities and power generators, closes on 24 July 2026.

2026 Australian Water Awards(Opens in a new tab/window)

The Australian Water Association's (AWA) 2026 Australian Water Awards(Opens in a new tab/window) brought the water community together to celebrate outstanding achievements across the sector. The awards recognised innovation, expertise and collaboration demonstrated through projects spanning research, infrastructure, leadership and community initiatives. 

Danielle Francis from the Water Services Association of Australia was named the 2026 Water Professional of the Year for her strategic leadership, particularly in advancing purified recycled water for drinking and reframing national discussions on water supply. Declan Clausen of Hunter Water received the 2026 Young Water Professional of the Year award, recognised for integrating environmental stewardship, strategy and community engagement in his work. 

Speakers at the event highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing community needs, reconciliation and climate challenges within the water sector. AWA Chief Executive Corinne Cheeseman said the awards recognise individuals and organisations leading the sector through innovation, collaboration and a shared commitment to a sustainable and resilient water future.

The 2026-2027 award nominations(Opens in a new tab/window) will open in July 2026. 

RIAA names Australia’s leading responsible investors and super funds for 2026(Opens in a new tab/window)

The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) has announced(Opens in a new tab/window) the 2026 Responsible Super Fund Leaders, Responsible Investment Leaders and Responsible Investors in Australia at the RIAA Conference Australia in May 2026. A total of 12 Responsible Super Fund Leaders, 47 Responsible Investment Leaders, and 26 Responsible Investors were recognised this year. “Responsible investment is entering a more mature phase, where leadership is defined by what organisations do, not just what they say,” said Estelle Parker, Co-CEO of RIAA.