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Environmental, Social & Governance

ESG is fundamental to the way we think about and operate our business.

We think about our ESG program through two lenses. Through one lens, ESG encapsulates the non-negotiable social compact between business, investors and the broader community. We remain committed to being a force for good in the communities in which we live and work.
Through the other lens, ESG principles reflect a robust summary of the risk management framework that develops and maintains strong, resilient businesses and investment strategies.

Over the last twelve months, we have taken some big strides forward. We have our carbon neutral status certified annually by Climate Active, one of the most rigorous certification programs in the world. We have increased female representation in our executive ranks from 30% to 44% and today employ 520 staff, drawn from 47 countries, speaking 40 languages. We continue to stand by our customers through fire, floods and pandemic and our staff are actively engaged in giving programs across our local communities.

As one of Australia’s leading alternative asset managers, we are uniquely positioned to be a force for good in the spirit of “others before self.”

Our Systematic Approach

ESG is at the very core of our activities and business practices. We are committed to incorporating ESG principles into everything that we do. We evaluate ESG matters as a standard part of our business processes, starting at the preliminary stages of any major initiative.

Reducing Our Environmental Impact

We believe that companies and properties can increase profitability and long term growth because of their sustainability efforts. By managing energy, water consumption and waste more efficiently, we reduce our environmental impact while achieving cost savings for our business, assets and our customers.

To achieve carbon neutrality, La Trobe Financial partnered with Carbon Neutral, one of Australia’s leading carbon services and carbon offset providers to assist with selecting the highest standards in offset projects. The following high-grade projects were selected to offset the carbon emissions.

Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor

Since the launch of the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor project in 2008, 30 million trees and shrubs have been planted restoring over 13,000 hectares of land. The goal is to create a green corridor that will reconnect coastal regions with drier inland habitats. The Corridor will provide birds and animals with habitat for food, nests and protection from predators, encouraging them to transition through the landscape. Read more in our ESG Update.

Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve

The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve Project aims to reduce Indonesia’s emissions by preserving 64,000 hectares of tropical peat swamp forest. This area rich in biodiversity including the endangered Bornean orangutan, was slated by the Provincial government for conversion into palm oil plantations. The project actively engages local  communities to improve food security, income opportunities, health care, and education – all with the support of carbon finance. Read more in our ESG Update

Supporting the Regent Honeyeater

In late 2022, La Trobe Financial announced a partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia (Taronga) for the support of Australia’s unique and iconic, but critically endangered Regent Honeyeater. The Regent Honeyeater is a strikingly beautiful bird. It inhabits temperate woodlands and open forests on the inland slopes of south-east Australia. Its range has contracted dramatically in the last thirty years to between north-east Victoria and south-east Queensland. And that’s where Taronga comes in. Read more in our ESG Update

Investing In Our People

At La Trobe Financial, we know it takes more than capital to build great companies – it takes great people. We believe that when companies take care of their employees and the people in their communities, everyone benefits. We are committed to attracting, developing and advancing a diverse workforce that represents a spectrum of backgrounds, identities and experiences. In particular, diversity is measured and reported to the Board on a quarterly basis, and to the Workplace General Equality Agency (WGEA) by 31 May annually.

55%

employees also speak
a language other than English

40

different languages spoken

206

employees born overseas

Our Community Involvement

We are committed to investing in the advancement and well-being of our broader community. These initiatives are an integral part of the way we do business and encompass the true spirit of our company’s philosophy of ‘others before self’.

Learn about our initiatives and Lend A Hand Days.

Explore our 2023 ESG Update Document