Your investment is helping to repair the world - here's how
In short
You're already making a difference. Each year, we give 10% of our company profits (after tax, before bonuses) to the Australian Ethical Foundation which works with organisations protecting and restoring nature and advancing clean energy solutions. This means your investment is working in two ways:
- Investing for returns – through companies building a better future; and,
- Funding early-stage impact – supporting on-the-ground projects that government and investment markets may not be ready to fund yet.
You’re not just choosing where your money is invested, you’re also choosing the kind of world it helps to build.
Where investing and nature come together
We already consider environmental impact in every company we invest in – guided by our almost 40-year-old Ethical Charter. But financial markets are designed to fund activity that produces returns. Many actions that are effective at restoring nature might not yet have a business model or market valuation, even though they might be doing crucial work.
Philanthropy is integral to our purpose; it helps close the gap between what markets currently want and what the future demands.
Through the Foundation, we fund early projects that make a big difference but don’t attract enough government and private capital.
This year, the Foundation will award $2.5 million in grants, bringing the total contributions to more than $13 million since 2000.
These grants support organisations working to:
- Protect and restore natural ecosystems;
- Ensure climate justice and resilience in communities; and
- Develop nature-positive economic models.
The aim is to test models and solutions which will hopefully attract private and government funding in the future.
You’re not just choosing where your money is invested, you’re also choosing the kind of world it helps to build.
Why First Nations leadership matters
For over 60,000 years, First Nations communities have cared for our land and waterways, guided by place-based knowledge and practical wisdom deeply rooted in their lived connection to Country.
The Foundation prioritises projects which are Traditional Owner led and the benefits are reaped by their communities recognising that Indigenous knowledge systems are critical to protecting and repairing ecosystems.
Ngardara Project, Original Power
One example of this is our funding to Original Power. Over the years, we have supported the Indigenous led organisation to pilot and develop solar microgrids and energy efficient housing in remote communities. This year we have committed $200,000 to the Original Power-led Ngardara Project, Australia’s first Indigenous-led, utility-scale solar microgrid initiative in Borroloola, Northern Territory. It replaces diesel with solar power, cuts energy costs, and gives communities control and participation in the clean energy transition.
The tools and knowledge needed to replicate this project will be shared with many other remote communities through the First Nations Clean Energy Network. The Foundation’s early funding helped unlock additional grants and future investment, showing how philanthropy can help a community idea grow into an opportunity that capital markets can potentially support in the future.
This year’s grant recipients also include: Indigigrow, Accounting for Nature, Environmental Justice Australia, Environs Kimberley, ACOSS, WWF Australia, Places You Love Alliance and Original Power. Each of these projects tell a powerful story: supporting nature restoration, empowering communities with agency and resources, unlocking capital in clever ways and backing campaigns that shift policy and systems in the right direction.
One organisation we are particularly proud to support is the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council in the West Kimberley region, led by Professor Anne Poelina. It is an Indigenous-led alliance of Traditional Owners working to protect the Fitzroy River and the region from external threats including mining, agriculture and fracking and promote sustainable, community-driven economies and governance.
The Fitzroy River flowing through the Geikie Gorge in the rugged outback of northwest Australia, Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park in the Napier Range in the Kimberley.
Taking this leadership to COP30 in Brazil
The Foundation was represented this year at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) by Professor Anne Poelina – the global climate summit where governments, investors and civil society negotiate climate action. This year COP was held in Belem, Brazil, a city that is at the gateway to the Amazon, putting nature front of mind for global decision makers who attended.
COP30 was framed as the COP of implementation. Over the past decade, countries have made pledges and set targets – like the Nationally Determined Contribution the Australian government set in September. This year the emphasis of the global conference shifts to delivery in an attempt to connect commitments to measurable action that protects nature, reduces carbon emissions, and supports communities already experiencing climate impacts.
Australian Ethical supported the participation by Professor Anne Poelina in sessions at the Australian Pavilion to elevate the role of nature protection and First Nations leadership in climate decision-making.
Professor Anne Poelina (far left) representing the Australian Ethical Foundation on a panel at COP30 in Brazil.
The difference we’re making together
Your decision to invest with Australian Ethical is more than a personal choice – it’s a commitment to driving real change, supporting bold ideas, and empowering leaders to take action for climate and nature. Investing with us means:
- Your money is invested responsibly for financial returns; and
- 10% of our company profits help fund early-stage work restoring nature and advancing climate justice.
More than half the world’s GDP depends on nature – on thriving ecosystems, clean water, healthy forests, and a stable climate. By restoring nature and supporting First-Nations-led care for Country, your investment with us is helping protect the very foundation of our economy and communities.
Stay tuned for updates from COP30 and stories from the front lines of climate action. Your membership is making it happen.
Together, we’re investing for a better world, not just to grow your investment balance, but to help repair and restore the world we are retiring into.
