The Greener Way

FS Sustainability
  • 4.8 (19)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Greener Way is your podcast for exploring the big environmental, social and governance questions. Each week, The Greener Way will focus on deep conversations with investment and corporate experts who are deeply engaged in managing the sustainability challenges facing our planet. From climate change to biodiversity, human rights and modern slavery to corporate purpose and governance, we tackle head-on the nuances and trade-offs of our complicated world. The Greener Way is the podcast of FS Sustainability, the premier weekly trade publication that covers how investors and companies are changing real world outcomes across environmental, social and governance issues. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

  1. Banking on green loans

    4 DAYS AGO

    Banking on green loans

    Green loans & cheaper home batteries: How the CEFC Is Powering Australia’s Household Energy Transition This week on The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar chats with Grace Tam, head of consumer finance at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), on how the Australian government, through the CEFC, is driving record levels of green loan applications. According to the CEFC, the number of loans made under the Household Energy Upgrades Fund™ more than doubled between the first and second halves of 2025, up by 158 per cent. More than 4,100 loans have been made and over 10,000 technology installations completed since the fund was launched. Tam explains what's worked, the misconceptions around green loans and how lenders are adopting a new approach to appeal to investors and 'green' households. 00:49 What is the CEFC's purpose? 01:02 The latest on the $1bn Household Energy Upgrades Fund 02:33 What is a green loan? 03:21 The green lending ecosystem 05:38 The uptake and key lessons 07:16 The rise of virtual power plants 08:41 Has the risk around green lending changed? 09:54 Barriers and the need for more consumer education 11:10 How lenders are partnering with third parties 12:53 A small window of opportunity We record on Gadigal land and we pay our respects to the traditional custodians of country and elders, past and present. https://www.fssustainability.com.au/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    16 min
  2. Becoming a B Corp: What it takes and why it matters

    13 APR

    Becoming a B Corp: What it takes and why it matters

    What does it actually mean to become a B Corp, and is it worth the effort? In this episode, UNLESS Financial chief sustainability officer and financial adviser Marissa Theodorou talks us through the journey she and the UNLESS team went through recently to become B Corp certified. Breaking down the business case, timeline, key pillars, and common pitfalls of the process, Theodorou explains why the certification is more than just a badge and highlights the tangible benefits that come with it. She also touches on how the certification process has been strengthened in recent times to ensure businesses are truly balancing profit with positive impact. We record on Gadigal land and we pay our respects to the traditional custodians of country and elders past and present. https://www.fssustainability.com.au/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    16 min
  3. Climate investing enters a new age

    6 APR

    Climate investing enters a new age

    On a recent visit to Sydney, MSCI's global head of sustainability and climate index Sebastien Lieblich sat down with The Greener Way to shed light on how institutional investors, particularly superannuation funds, are changing their approach to climate investing. Gone are the days of simply excluding or divesting companies, he says. Asset owners are looking more closely at the role benchmarks and index design can play in implementing their goals, embedding climate considerations in investment strategies. Lieblich also touches on the potential ramifications of the current geopolitical environment and how a disruption to traditional energy sources and supplies could impact the global transition. We record on Gadigal land and we pay our respects to the traditional custodians of country and elders past and present. https://www.fssustainability.com.au/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    13 min
  4. Transparency in quant investing

    30 MAR

    Transparency in quant investing

    Quant + ESG Without the Black Box: Transparent Sustainable Investing with AXA IM’s Ram Rasaratnam | The Greener Way In this episode of The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar speaks with Ram Rasaratnam, CIO of Equity Quant Investing at AXA IM, part of BNP Paribas, about some of the misconceptions about quant investing, including calling it a ‘black box’. Describing it instead as “fundamental investing at scale”, Ram explains how sustainability portfolios can be built with clearly defined steps that show both the ESG overlays and the fund manager’s core fundamental decisions. Asked on the impact of AI, Ram shares how the latest technology has transformed the fund’s investment toolbox - but that the market, despite all the quant analysis in the world, still keeps him on his toes. 01:38 Quant as fundamentals at scale 03:39 Separating ESG and returns 05:27 Machine learning toolbox 07:42 Markets keep changing 08:54 Mindset shift for ESG quants We record on Gadigal land and we pay our respects to the traditional custodians of country and elders past and present.  https://www.fssustainability.com.au/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    11 min
  5. Under the pump: security vs sustainability

    23 MAR

    Under the pump: security vs sustainability

    Energy security vs net zero: What Australia’s new “fuel czar” means for investors This week on The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar speaks with economist Nicki Hutley about energy security after the federal government appointed Anthea Harris as a new “fuel czar” to oversee Australia’s fuel supply amid Middle East conflict and rising oil and LNG prices. Hutley explains how fuel supply risks flow through the whole economy—from transport and manufacturing to agriculture—and why petrol demand is relatively inelastic. They discuss how short-term fuel security measures should not derail Australia’s net zero reduction targets, arguing governments can address near-term risks while accelerating renewable rollout and planning. 00:13 Energy security returns 01:03 Why a fuel czar? 02:08 Fuel shocks hit economy 04:39 Renewables and net zero 06:38 Keep transition moving 07:55 Investing in energy security 09:36 Uncertainty and budget watch Links: https://www.nickihutleyeconomics.com.au/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    12 min
  6. Climate disclosure reports: what's the verdict?

    16 MAR

    Climate disclosure reports: what's the verdict?

    Australia’s mandatory climate reporting (2026): What investors need to know | Dr Mary Stewart (ERM) This week on The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar speaks with Dr Mary Stewart of ERM about Australia’s new mandatory climate disclosure regime introduced in 2024 and what the first wave of calendar‑year reports, due next month, means for investors, boards, and markets. Dr. Stewart frames climate as a knowable risk with opportunity, urging investors to look for clear, accessible disclosure of what companies know, don’t know, and how they will close gaps on issues like scope 3 and scenario analysis, and argues strong Australian reporting could raise global investor expectations. 01:29 What mandatory reporting is 02:22 Who must report first 03:41 Early report quality check 05:43 Adequate versus gold standard 07:23 CEO And CFO ownership 09:49 Sector risks and market impact 13:16 Investor checklist for disclosures 15:01 Australia sets global expectations 15:52 Wrap up and disclaimer This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    16 min
  7. Fixing the gender pay gap

    9 MAR

    Fixing the gender pay gap

    Gender pay gaps in financial services: What WGEA’s new targets mean for employers & investors In this episode of The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar talks with Mary Wooldridge, CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), about why gender equality in financial services matters and how new national reforms will affect employers, investors and super funds. Wooldridge explains that WGEA collects yearly gender‑equality data from businesses with more than 100 employees and publishes their gender pay gaps. The latest results show some improvement, with an overall median pay gap of 11.2%, but a much higher 21.4% in financial services, along with ongoing imbalances across pay levels. She also outlines new rules requiring large organisations to set and meet gender‑equality targets over three years, with public reporting and consequences for those that fall behind. 01:01 How pay gaps are measured 03:01 Key findings and stats 04:42 Financial services reality check 05:55 Reforms and target setting 06:58 Compliance and consequences 08:10 Choosing the right targets 09:44 What works in practice 11:56 Board and C-suite accountability 14:35 On ESG and gender equality Links: WGEA Data Explorer This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    18 min
  8. RIAA Conference: Protecting First Nations heritage

    2 MAR

    RIAA Conference: Protecting First Nations heritage

    Indigenous Cultural Heritage Protection: Investor Risk, Responsibility & First Nations-Led Governance | The Greener Way This week on The Greener Way, host Michelle Baltazar speaks with Kado Muir, chair of the National Native Title Council ahead of the RIAA Conference in May where Muir is one of the panelists on a session titled, “Indigenous Cultural Heritage Protection: Investor Risk and Responsibility”. Muir argues that tools already exist to protect indigenous heritage, but incentives and governance are lacking, including too few First Nations people in decision-making roles and boards. He urges investors and governments to screen risks, work with First Nations governance institutions, and make cultural heritage protection a non-negotiable in boardroom discussions. 02:20 Responsible investment steps 03:46 Scorecards and governance gaps 06:46 Real world liability examples 11:45 Native title and investor risk 15:53 Building a virtuous cycle 17:50 Standardising with First Nations 19:05 Board representation is a blind spot 22:21 Five years after Juukan Gorge 23:40 Progress and podcast wrap 02:20 Responsible investment steps 03:46 Scorecards and governance gaps 06:46 Real world liability examples 11:45 Native title and investor risk 15:53 Building a virtuous cycle 19:05 Board representation blind spot 22:21 Five years after Juukan 23:40 Positive note and wrap Links: https://www.kadomuir.com.au/ Podcast: My culture story with Kado Muir This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

    25 min
See All (195)

Trailer

4.8
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

The Greener Way is your podcast for exploring the big environmental, social and governance questions. Each week, The Greener Way will focus on deep conversations with investment and corporate experts who are deeply engaged in managing the sustainability challenges facing our planet. From climate change to biodiversity, human rights and modern slavery to corporate purpose and governance, we tackle head-on the nuances and trade-offs of our complicated world. The Greener Way is the podcast of FS Sustainability, the premier weekly trade publication that covers how investors and companies are changing real world outcomes across environmental, social and governance issues. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Information

  • Creator
    FS Sustainability
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    195
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 FS Sustainability
  • Show Website
    The Greener Way

You Might Also Like