BCSDA to Make Formal Submission on Sustainable Investment Product Labels
- bcsda0
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
SYDNEY, 5 August 2025 - The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) will make a formal submission to the Australian Government’s Treasury-led consultation on Sustainable Investment Product Labels, reaffirming its role as a constructive and credible voice in sustainable finance and disclosure reform.
The consultation paper outlines the Government’s proposal to introduce a labelling framework that supports retail investors in identifying, comparing, and making informed decisions about investment products marketed as ‘sustainable’, ‘green’, ‘ethical’ or similar. The initiative is a core priority under the Government’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap, which aims to build robust market structures to support Australia’s transition to a net zero, sustainable economy.
The proposed labelling regime seeks to address several policy challenges identified in the paper, including:
A lack of consistency in how sustainability claims are made across financial products.
Difficulty for retail investors in comparing products and verifying sustainability credentials.
Risks of greenwashing and ‘greenhushing’ that undermine market integrity and investor trust.
BCSDA supports the Government’s ambition to implement a clear, evidence-based and principles-aligned framework. Such a regime would help reduce confusion, raise standards of disclosure, and enable capital to flow toward investments that deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes.
In its submission, BCSDA will draw on international best practices and insights from its global network, including work by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). These contributions will help ensure the proposed labels are credible, comparable, and grounded in transparent sustainability claims.
As Treasury works toward a detailed design proposal and a 2027 implementation target, BCSDA looks forward to engaging constructively to help shape a system that builds investor confidence, protects against greenwashing, and promotes the long-term integrity of Australia’s sustainable finance ecosystem.
About BCSD Australia
The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to operationalising sustainable development practices among Australian businesses. BCSD Australia was established in Australia in 1991 and works with over 70 leading global businesses and other organisations to drive systemic transformation in key sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and rewarding action through education, partnerships, and policy influence.
In 2014 the organisation was appointed Australia’s Network Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
BCSD Australia’s members believe that by integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, business lowers its risk profile, makes better decisions and creates the solutions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
BCSD Australia’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. It represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, BINGOs and community organisations, which in turn represent 120,000 + Australian employees. www.bcsda.org.au.
t: +61 (0)2 8005 0780
m: +61 (0)412 545 994
For further information contact: Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, +61 412 545 994
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