Research reports

Through extensive consultation between investors and First Nations peoples, companies and community groups, ACSI conducted research to help investors and companies identify good practice in engagement, risk management and disclosure. The report identifies elements that support good-faith constructive engagement.

Biodiversity loss is an emerging ESG issue, with Australian investors seeking to understand how to manage and address the financial risks to businesses they invest in. This report provides the foundation for Australian investors to understand the scale of the issue and the types of financial risks affecting companies across different sectors of the economy.

The research outlines examples of best practice and gaps in reporting, provides a snapshot for Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) adoption rates and an insight into how companies are setting objectives for meeting the Paris Agreement. Disclosure, climate scenario analysis and physical risks assessments are also examined. ACSI reviewed all publicly available documents produced by ASX200 entities as at 31 March 2021, with company engagements providing additional context.

The research finds that most companies complied with the minimum requirements of modern slavery reporting, with clear groups of leaders and laggards within the ASX200. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given this is the first year of reporting, the majority of statements appearing to follow a ‘race to the middle’ approach (seeking to satisfy the legal requirements of the MSA without disclosing more than key peers). The research identifies areas where reporting can be improved and covers the practical steps businesses have taken to mitigate modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains.

Now in its 20th year, the research analyses data published by companies for the 2020 financial year, and is the first to reflect the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on company performance and remuneration outcomes.

Australia’s largest companies have mostly shown discipline and restraint in unprecedented circumstances. The research finds that pay outcomes for CEOs at Australia’s leading companies fell to their lowest levels in more than a decade in the 2020 financial year, and almost one third of ASX100 CEO’s received no bonus in the past financial year.

The research report was undertaken by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), led by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, and commissioned by the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors. It outlines the state of sexual harassment reporting in Australia’s largest companies and provides eight recommendations to support the prevention of sexual harassment, and appropriate management of any incidents. The research provides an in depth look at how companies are responding to sexual harassment with 59% of ASX200 companies participating in the research survey. Along with quantitative data, the report draws from in depth interviews with 16 ASX200 companies and desktop research.