Research
In-depth analysis on a selection of heavy-emitting companies and thematic sector research into emerging issues in the energy transition.
Publications
Research
Investing in coal plant flexibility: a strategic approach for J-POWER’s transition
To protect long-term shareholder value in an evolving market, J-POWER needs to prioritise increasing the flexibility of domestic coal plants.
Research
Shell’s LNG strategy: Overcooked?
Shell plc’s LNG growth strategy is based on a bullish outlook for LNG demand and risks eroding shareholder value.
Research
ACCR Annual Review FY23/24
Spanning our AGM activities, company engagements and research, and featuring testimonials from key collaborators, ACCR's Annual Review for FY23/24 shows how we use shareholder rights to protect long-term value and deliver real-world emissions reductions.
Research
Analysis: BHP's 2024 Climate Transition Action Plan
While BHP's 2024 CTAP provides improved disclosures on scope 3, it falls short on ambition and does not have a capital allocation strategy to match the scale of the challenge.
Research
Submission: 2025 IASR Scenarios Consultation Paper
The urgency required to address climate change and meet international commitments means it is essential that AEMO uses the most current and scientifically accurate data to inform its scenarios.
Research
What’s next for Woodside?
This research considers how Woodside (ASX: WDS) can deliver a credible strategy for managing climate risk and securing shareholder value.
Research
Ahead of the game: investor sentiment on steel decarbonisation
ACCR commissioned a survey of investor sentiment - surveying 500 investors based in Australia, the United States, as well as countries across Asia and Europe, each with investments in steelmaking, iron ore and/or metallurgical coal mining.
Research
Analysis: Glencore’s 2024-2026 Climate Action Transition Plan
Glencore’s 2024-2026 Climate Action Transition Plan (CATP) moves the company further from aligning to a net zero emissions pathway.
Research
Shell - Less Value, More Emissions
Analysis of Shell’s 2024 Energy Transition Strategy, fossil fuel growth strategy, and lobbying disclosures
Research
Equinor’s challenge: which way to Paris?
Equinor has an opportunity to take material steps towards Paris alignment by changing its portfolio and strategy.
Research
Investor handbook: Engaging with the steel sector
This handbook aims to support investors in company engagement, a key tool to drive value and enable emissions reductions in the steel sector.
Research
Santos’ growth strategy: will it deliver for shareholders?
Santos’ current capex heavy production growth strategy is not the optimal strategy to maximise shareholder returns, with a capital return strategy offering more value and less risk.
Research
Forging pathways: insights for the green steel transformation
Across every stage of the value chain, companies are taking advantage of advancements in technology to enable less carbon intensive steelmaking.
Research
In the dark: gaps in Shell’s climate lobbying disclosures
Undisclosed lobbying in emerging markets may undermine Shell’s support for the Paris goals and foster unsustainable fossil fuel supply and demand lock-in.
Research
Australia's LNG growth wave - did it wash for shareholders?
This report looks under the hood of Australia’s LNG growth wave, examining whether it has created value for shareholders.
Research
Submission: Future Gas Strategy
Gas, and with it LNG, will play a diminishing role in Australia’s and the world’s net-zero transformation.
Research
Submission: Roadmap to establish an Australian decommissioning industry for offshore oil and gas
As the fledgling Australian decommissioning industry evolves, it is critically important that operators are transparent about their short, medium and long term plans for decommissioning.
Research
Benchmarking for change: corporate political expenditure and climate lobbying in Australia
ACCR investigates how major public companies in Australia disclose and govern their political expenditures and climate lobbying.
Research
Submission: Modelling Australian emissions reduction pathways
Reducing investment risk will have an impact on investment opportunities in other parts of the economy.
Research
Woodside’s growth portfolio: what’s in it for shareholders?
A risk-adjusted financial analysis of Woodside’s growth portfolio, compared to a capital return strategy.
Research
Submission: Climate-related financial disclosure (second response)
Implementation of a rigorous, comparable, and consistent climate disclosure scheme, applicable to listed and non-listed entities, will support Australia to achieve its climate goals.
Research
Submission: Greenwashing Inquiry
While investor, media and public scrutiny can help deter companies from engaging in 'greenwashing', a strong legislative and regulatory framework is also critical.
Research
Investor brief: Electric Power Development Co. Ltd. (J-POWER)
Supporting investor brief to our 2023 Shareholder Resolutions to Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER)
Research
Investor Briefing - Electric Power Development Co., Ltd (J-POWER) 2023 AGM
Analysis of J-POWER climate plan; analysis and voting intentions on shareholder resolutions and director re-election
Research
Submission: Inquiry into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum
The Voice has the potential to contribute substantially to improving social harmony in this country. A stable and predictable operating environment is essential to the functioning of business.
Research
Pre-AGM analysis: Glencore plc 2023
Research presentation for investors, covering our analysis of Glencore’s 2022 Climate Report; updated analysis on forward coal emissions; the Teck bid; and the co-filed shareholder resolution on thermal coal disclosure.
Research
Investor Briefing - Woodside Energy Group Ltd 2023 AGM
Director re-elections and 2022 climate report: analysis and recommendations
Research
Woodside 2023 director re-elections and 2022 Climate Report
A comprehensive assessment of Woodside’s 2022 Climate Report and the board’s lack of responsiveness to shareholder climate votes.
Research
ACCR Presentation on Santos Ltd 2023 AGM
Webinar supporting our analysis of the Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) 2022 remuneration report and provides a summary of the Tiwi Island case.
Research
Can Woodside Try Harder than Trion?
A pre-FID analysis of the Trion project
Research
Submission: Environmental Claims Code
The environmental claims code and process for assessing advertising has, for the most part, not successfully identified or prevented misleading claims in Australia.
Research
Analysis of Glencore’s forward coal emissions profile
Based on current disclosures by Glencore and its stated strategy, the company’s forecast cumulative emissions from coal production do not appear to be Paris-aligned.
Research
Submission: Climate-related financial disclosure
Climate-related disclosures should be rigorous, comparable and consistent, allowing investors and other important actors to make meaningful assessments of a company's position.
Research
Investor Bulletin: Shell and BP FY22 Q4 results and CO2 implications
Analysis of both BP and Shell’s FY22 Q4 results, capex and emissions target implications, and legal updates.
Research
Offshore oil and gas asset decommissioning
ACCR's report on decommissioning risks creating uncertainty around operators' plans and final costs.
Research
Super Votes: How Australia's largest superannuation funds voted on ESG resolutions in 2021
ACCR's fourth annual report on the disclosure and voting practices of Australia's largest superannuation funds.
Research
Shareholder Impact Report 2022
In 2022, together with hundreds of shareholders, ACCR challenged some of Australia’s biggest emitting companies to demonstrate their commitment to decarbonisation.
Research
Investor Bulletin: Monitoring Glencore’s climate commitments
Glencore’s planned coal expansion and growth in coal emissions is overshadowing the future facing minerals portfolio of the business.
Research
AGL Energy Ltd: Assessment and summary of 2022 AGM voting intentions
ACCR is confident that with a suitably qualified CEO and refreshed board, AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL) will produce a significantly enhanced CTAP in the next 12 months.
Research
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolutions to BHP Group Ltd on climate advocacy and accounting
Supporting brief to our shareholder resolutions to BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) on climate policy advocacy and climate accounting and audit
Research
South32: Climate Transition Action Plan Analysis
It is ACCR’s view that South32’s (ASX:S32) plan is supportable, subject to quantified updates, due to its changed position on greenfield fossil fuel expansion, in contrast to peers like BHP.
Research
Origin Energy: Climate Transition Action Plan Analysis
It is ACCR’s view that there is sufficient reason to vote FOR the approval of Origin’s 2022 Climate Transition Action Plan and to vote AGAINST the re-election of non-executive director Greg Lalicker.
Research
Submission: WA EPA's Draft Environmental Factor Guideline - Greenhouse Gas Emissions
It fails to sufficiently address scope 3 emissions, and is too permissive of scope 1 emissions and the use of offsets.
Research
Submission: Safeguard mechanism
An opportunity to drive industrial decarbonisation in Australia. A response to the DCCEEW Consultation paper, 2022.
Research
Investor bulletin: Climate policies under consultation must not be stifled by industry lobby
Investors have a critical role to play in curtailing the impact of company and industry association lobbying on evolving Australian climate policy.
Research
Update: Shell emissions forecast
Shell’s recent performance indicates it is right-sizing its oil and gas business but not yet transitioning customers to alternatives.
Research
Submission: Appeal against the North West Shelf Extension
ACCR is appealing the WA EPA’s approval recommendation for the North West Shelf (NWS) Extension Environmental Review Document.
Research
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolutions to Electric Power Development Co. Ltd. (J-POWER)
Supporting investor brief to our Shareholder Resolutions to Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER)
Research
AGL Energy Demerger
What should a climate aware investor consider?
Research
Oil and Gas Sector: 2022 Climate Transition
We assess how major oil and gas companies are decarbonising and compare their current climate plans.
Research
Investor briefing: Say on Climate Voting in 2021
Companies were rewarded for accountability, transparency, or for being first movers, rather than the strength of their climate plan commitments.
Research
Glencore’s Methane Problem
Analysis of Glencore’s underreporting of methane emissions
Research
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolutions to Woodside Petroleum Ltd on climate-related lobbying and decommissioning
Supporting brief to our shareholder resolutions to Woodside Petroleum Ltd on climate-related lobbying and decommissioning.
Research
Woodside Petroleum Ltd: Assessment of 2021 Climate Report
It is ACCR’s view that there is sufficient reason to vote against the approval of Woodside’s 2021 Climate Report.
Research
Glencore Plc: Assessment of progress against its climate plan
ACCR believes the overwhelming support Glencore received for its climate plan in 2021 was unwarranted, and there is ample reason to vote against its climate plan and progress at the 2022 AGM.
Research
Initiation of coverage: BP
BP’s transition strategy, it’s not what you think
Research
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolutions to Santos Ltd on climate-related lobbying and decommissioning
Supporting brief to our shareholder resolutions to Santos Ltd on climate-related lobbying and decommissioning.
Research
Investor update: Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) Say on Climate
ACCR's position on the Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) Say on Climate vote at its 2022 AGM.
Research
Rio Tinto Group Ltd/Plc Assessment of 2021 Climate Change Action Plan
ACCR believes Rio Tinto’s 2030 Scope 1 and 2 target, strategy and capital allocation commitments are significant and worthy of conditional investor support.
Research
Facts over fiction: Debunking gas industry spin
This paper reviews several of the Australian LNG industry’s claims and finds they are inaccurate or exaggerated. An investment in gas is not an investment in the Paris Agreement.
Research
Shareholder Impact Report 2021
During 2021, ACCR together with hundreds of ASX shareholders, put pressure on some of Australia’s biggest companies to improve their corporate behaviour on ESG issues.
Research
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolution to Incitec Pivot Ltd on Paris-aligned targets
Supporting brief to our Shareholder Resolution to Incitec Pivot Ltd on Paris-aligned targets.
Research
Sasol (SOL): Climate Vote
Global Climate Insights reviews Sasol’s (SOL) climate transition plan ahead of the vote at its upcoming AGM.
Research
Investor briefing: Sexual harassment as material risk
Investors need to better understand the different types of risks posed by sexual harassment, including long term financial risks, operational disruptions and reputational damage.
Research
Initiation of coverage: Royal Dutch Shell (RDS)
A two-part report on Royal Dutch Shell’s climate transition strategy.
Research
Sasol in pursuit of a lifeline for Secunda
Global Climate Insights reviews Sasol’s (SOL) 2030 and 2050 net zero emissions ambition and decarbonisation strategy.
Research
BHP Climate Transition Action Plan Analysis
ACCR believes there is sufficient reason to vote against the approval of BHP’s Climate Transition Action Plan.
Research
PREVIEW Initiation of coverage: Royal Dutch Shell (RDS)
Research
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolutions to Origin Energy Ltd on climate-related lobbying and Paris-aligned capital expenditure.
Supporting brief to our shareholder resolutions to Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) on climate-related lobbying and Paris-aligned capital expenditure.
Research
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolution to BHP Group Ltd/Plc on climate-related lobbying
Supporting brief to our Shareholder Resolution to BHP Group Ltd/Plc on lobbying related to climate and energy policy.
Research
Super Votes: How Australia's largest superannuation funds voted on ESG resolutions in 2020
ACCR analysis of the disclosures and voting behaviour of Australia’s 50 largest superannuation funds on ESG shareholder resolutions.
Research
Falling through the Cracks? Labour hire, Contracting and Outsourcing Risks across the ASX100
ACCR analysis shows that company reporting across the ASX is insufficient to allow investors to engage with companies about their employment models and overall workforce strategy.
Research
Investor briefing: Shareholder Resolution to AGL Energy Ltd on Paris-aligned goals and targets.
Supporting investor brief to our Shareholder Resolution to AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL) on Paris-aligned goals and targets.
Research
Submission: Clean Energy Regulator
A submission by ACCR in response to the proposed new carbon capture and storage method under the Emissions Reduction Fund.
Research
Submission: Senate Standing Committees on Economics
A submission by ACCR to the Coronavirus Economic Response Package Amendment (Ending Jobkeeper Profiteering) Bill 2021 Inquiry.
Research
Cleaning up their Act?: Modern Slavery Due Diligence in the Australian Property Sector
ACCR analysis shows that property owners continued to rely on reporting mechanisms that decades of evidence show will fail to pick up instances of modern slavery and labour abuse in their supply chains.
Research
Gaslighting: How APPEA and its members continue to oppose genuine climate action
Climate-aware investors in APPEA’s member companies must now assertively seek to curtail lobbying that is inconsistent with limiting global warming to well below 2°C.
Research
Submission: Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth
A submission by ACCR and Ethical Partners Funds Management to the inquiry into the prudential regulation of investment in Australia’s export industries.
Research
In-depth: Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell) climate vote
Shell released its climate transition plan, which sets out its emission reduction targets and decarbonisation strategy—read ACCR's in-depth analysis.
Research
First read: Royal Dutch Shell Energy Transition report
Shell released its Energy Transition report, which sets out its emission reduction targets and decarbonisation strategy. This is ACCR's initial reading of the report.
Research
Case study: Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell)
How does Shell's current climate transition plan compares to our recently released ACCR climate plan guidelines and the CA100+ Net Zero Company Benchmark?
Research
Submission: Senate Select Committee on Job Security
ACCR's submission to the Senate Select Committee on Job Security analyses the dynamics, trends and impacts associated with this “fissuring” of the Australian workplace, highlighting the risks for workers, companies and investors.
Research
Cutting Carbon: What the rush to divest fossil fuels means for emissions reduction and engagement
The Australian share market is one of the most carbon intensive markets in the developed world. Portfolio decarbonisation must be transparent.
Research
Submission: Independent Planning Commission of NSW consideration of Narrabri Gas Project
The Narrabri project will imperil Australia’s commitments to the Paris Agreement and will also likely see the high cost of production create a stranded asset before the reserves are exhausted.
Research
Submission: Parliamentary Inquiry into the destruction of 46,000 year old caves at the Juukan Gorge
Submission by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) to the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia, Parliamentary Inquiry into the destruction of 46,000 year old caves at the Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Research
Submission: Review of Victoria’s Private Security Industry
ACCR's submission to the Victorian government's inquiry into the private security industry focuses on how the dominant employment model in the security industry - namely complex labour hire and subcontracting arrangements - has led to a culture of non-compliance and endemic failure to properly apply workplace laws and instruments.
Research
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Australia’s largest super funds voted on shareholder proposals 2017-2019
All funds should disclose their entire proxy voting record, forevery proposal at every company meeting, across all jurisdictions.
Research
Labour Hire & Contracting Across the ASX100
New analysis shows that ASX100 companies are only reporting to shareholders and the public about their direct employees, while information about their 'indirect' workforces remains unknown. This report received the RIAA ESG Research (non-broker) Award in 2021.
Research
Submission: OECD Review of Country-by-Country Reporting
ACCR has commented on the review of the OECD’s Country-by-Country Reporting (BEPS Action 13) framework. The review is an opportunity to make significant improvements to the integrity of national and international tax systems.
Research
Submission: Unlawful underpayment of Employees' Remuneration Inquiry
ACCR and LUCRF Super have published a joint submission to the Inquiry on the Unlawful Underpayment of Employee’s Remuneration. ACCR and LUCRF Super support regulatory changes that would facilitate the uptake of multi-stakeholder arrangements involving suppliers, lead companies, workers and worker representatives, to mitigate modern slavery, underpayments, and other labour risks.
Research
Submission: Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety: Workforce Submissions
ACCR and Ethical Partners provided input on the discussion regarding the Aged Care workforce and on how to ensure service providers develop a culture of strong governance and workforce leadership. We believe that a considerable change in the business model, transparency and disclosure, staffing, training, monitoring and codes of conduct in this sector is required in order to consider future investment in the sector.
Research
Workforce Disclosures Across The ASX 100
Despite growing investor interest in workforce issues, engagement on these issues is hindered by poor reporting. This report analyses how Australian-listed companies are currently reporting on key workforce issues, including employee turnover, new hires, workforce composition, and health and safety.
Research
Submission: The regulation of lobbying access and influence in NSW (‘Operation Eclipse’)
A large part of ACCR’s work involves scrutinising the lobbying activities of Australian listed companies, as well as the industry associations that represent listed companies on various issues. ACCR has made a submission to The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)'s inquiry into Lobbying conduct and regulation in NSW.
Research
Vote Like You Mean It: A study of the proxy voting records of Australia’s largest super funds in 2018
ACCR has analysed the proxy voting records of Australia’s 50 largest superannuation funds in 2018, on 260 shareholder proposals on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues across Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States (US).
Research
Measuring “decent work”: workforce indicators and their relevance for investors
There is increasing recognition of the importance of the workforce in delivering the long-term strategic objectives for a company. This briefing note outlines the financial, reputational, procurement and legal risks which may derive from a failure by companies and investors to properly engage on workforce issues.
Research
Briefing Note: Managing Imported Asbestos in Australian Supply Chains
Asbestos is still imported into Australia, despite an official ban. This briefing note describes how additional “workforce oversight” is essential in identifying asbestos which has made its way onto Australian worksites.
Research
Social risk and decent work in the health care sector
ACCR has published the first report in a series looking at the interrelationship between decent work and company performance. This report identifies the links between workforce issues and operational performance in the pharmaceutical distribution sector. It focuses on two ASX 200 companies in this sector: Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (API), and Sigma Healthcare Ltd. (SIG).
Research
Industry Associations, ASX Companies, Shareholder Interests and Lobbying
Research
Responsible investment policies and related voting transparency of selected Australian asset owners and fund managers
This report analyses the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies, proxy voting policies and proxy voting disclosure records of 56 large Australian funds/fund managers.
Research
Report on social equity – related proxy voting in the US
This report examines shareholder resolution proposals and outcomes on four social equity issues: gender, sexual orientation, race and disability.
Research
Human Rights and Australian Listed Companies
Research
Corporate political expenditure in Australia
Research
Shareholder resolutions on ESG issues at listed public companies: comparative practice in Australia, the US & the UK
Research
Unburnable carbon’ risk and the Australasian-listed gentailers
Research
A Guide to Shareholder Advocacy in Australia
Research
Financed emissions, ‘unburnable carbon’ risk and the major Australian banks
Research
Shareholder resolutions at listed public companies in major English-speaking countries: comparative arrangements
Data & Resources
Australian ESG Shareholder Resolutions
An open dataset of shareholder resolutions and statements on environmental or social issues that have been put to Australia's largest 200 public companies.
