On 23 July 2015, Social Outcomes released the report, Shared Value in Australia. The report looks at how companies in Australia and globally, are seizing the opportunity of shared value creation – growing their businesses, markets, and revenue streams, through innovations that reduce social and environmental problems. Business is rapidly changing, fuelled by increased transparency, digital innovation, consumer engagement, finite resources and supply chains, and dynamic demographics and workforces. Traditional
In Australia, the combination of a long-standing commitment to the ‘Aussie fair go,’ along with an increasing strain on government resources, creates a fertile environment for various forms of blended social and financial value to thrive. A number of businesses, social sector organisations, private foundations, and government agencies across Australia, are spearheading innovative models that create social value for our communities, but are structured or funded in ways that we
By Anna Bowden, Social Outcomes It seems almost impossible to go a day in Australia without the topic of property coming up, and more specifically, the rapid rate at which housing prices are escalating. For low-income earners in Australia, access to housing is a serious concern. Across the country, the proportion of households spending more than half their incomes on rent rose from 20% in FY2007-08 to 25% in FY2009-10.
On Thursday, December 4, National Australia Bank launched a climate bond to raise at least AUS$150 million for renewable energy. It is already subscribed at AUS$300 million. The bond is the first example of an Australian bank initiating a green bond on the domestic market. The bond is certified by the 2011 International Climate Bonds Standards, which assists investors in directing finance towards positive climate outcomes. The bond will invest
In 1973, California native, mountaineer, and lover of the great outdoors, Yvon Chouinard, founded apparel company Patagonia. Since then, while Patagonia’s customers have been sporting the companies outfits as they traverse rugged terrains, mountains, and oceans, Patagonia has continued to pioneer new ways of doing business. For years, Patagonia has been at the forefront of global efforts to mainstream sustainability throughout their supply chain. At Patagonia, each product’s entire lifecycle