Penguin Perspectives Blog

Time is running out. Climate scientists have put us on notice: our actions over the next 10 years will decide where humanity lives for the rest of its existence. We need government, business and individuals to participate and accelerate climate action. Against the backdrop of the UK’s net zero target, our 3 climate leaders from Landsec, M&G Investments and ETL shared the secrets to their success.

Vast oceans, gushing rivers and calm lakes, heavy rain, even dripping taps: water is all around us, and all of life on Earth depends upon it. But why is water important in the context of climate?

Focusing on the theme: ‘Net Zero 2030 – Mitigation and Adaptation’, the event brought together representatives from Australia’s private, public and civil sectors to discuss how businesses, industries and individuals can work together to reach zero emissions in a way that is good for people, the planet and profits.

Queensland is a place of contrasts: natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef are central to a booming tourism industry – yet this is at odds with historically important sectors of agriculture and mining. The Sunshine State faces unique climate challenges. It was against this backdrop that South Pole's CEO & Co-founder, Renat Heuberger, visited for the inaugural Brisbane Climate Leaders Forum.

In 2017, Alexa Poortier founded itmustbeNOW.com, an online platform connects sustainably-minded properties and companies in the travel and tourism sector to foster more mindful travel. We recently spoke to Alexa about her greatest sources of inspiration, motivations behind founding itmustbeNOW – and why we must listen to younger generations!

A better tomorrow awaits if we succeed in limiting global warming to 1.5°C, yet we are hopelessly off-target in capping rising temperatures, and it’s becoming exceedingly difficult to do so. We know that time is quickly running out, that taking climate action makes financial sense, and that we need to channel trillions to mitigate climate change and accelerate the turn to zero net carbon. So what does this mean for European financial centres and how can they best prepare to the inevitable shift towards green and sustainable finance? The new climate reality is a ‘use it or lose it’ moment for financial centres in Europe. The UN-led Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S) wants to make sure it is the former – read on to find out how.

El camino hacia un futuro sostenible no es sencillo. Parece que tan pronto como descubrimos una forma de limpiar la mitad del plástico de los océanos en los próximos cinco años, la deforestación en el Amazonas comienza a aumentar drásticamente. Si bien la voz de los jóvenes hace un llamado enérgico a la acción, los políticos todavía están discutiendo sobre cuán sólida es la ciencia climática.

Integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the core of investment strategies and decision-making is becoming a reality. ESG criteria have made their way to institutional investors’ active investment strategies as well as passive strategies, for example in the growth of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) considering ESG criteria.

The path to a just, sustainable future isn't straightforward and global teamwork is needed to reduce emissions and mitigate the environmental, economic and social impacts this shift will create. One of the most broadly implemented voluntary measures available to companies and individuals who want to act now is carbon offsetting.

A survey found that Climate and Environment were the most important topics amongst Swedish voters when deciding on political party in the EU election last month. In fact, flying and meat consumption amongst Swedes decreased during 2017 and 2018 for the first time in a South Pole invited key sustainability players to the Climate Leaders Forum in Stockholm on 28th May to explore how businesses should respond to growing public demand for companies to take climate responsibility.

On World Environment Day, Colonial First State's Pablo Berrutti joined more than 700 people for Climate Reality Leader training in Brisbane. Led by Chairman Al Gore, and CEO Ken Berlin, the Climate Reality Leaders program has trained almost 20,000 people who in the first six months of 2019 have logged almost 19,000 ‘acts of leadership’ ranging from delivering Mr Gore’s famous presentation to writing blogs – like this one!

In an age where flying places seems almost fundamental to doing business, South Pole Australia’s Jay van Rijn shares some tips for reducing your organisation’s emissions from air travel – and how South Pole’s partnership with travel industry data and solutions management provider, Tramada, is making it easier than ever to offset emissions from unavoidable business flights.