ESG Strategy for Finance and Investment
The finance sector is at the forefront of the ESG transition, driving capital allocation, managing climate risk, and setting performance expectations for portfolio companies and borrowers.
Who We Work With
Financial Institutions
- Banks and lenders offering sustainability-linked loans and green finance
- Investment firms and fund managers integrating ESG into portfolio management
- Private equity firms supporting portfolio companies with ESG capability
- Insurance companies assessing climate risk and ESG performance
Businesses Securing Sustainable Finance
- Companies accessing sustainability-linked loans with ESG performance targets
- Businesses preparing for green bonds or sustainability-linked bonds
- Organisations building ESG capability to meet lender and investor expectations
- Companies navigating ASRS disclosure and ESG due diligence requirements
Challenges for Financial Institutions
Integrating ESG into lending, investment, and risk management
ESG Integration Complexity
Embedding ESG into credit assessment, risk management, and portfolio decisions across your organisation.
Data Gaps and Verification
Accessing reliable ESG data from borrowers and portfolio companies for informed decision-making.
Regulatory Compliance
Meeting Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS), TCFD, and climate disclosure requirements.
Greenwashing Risk
Ensuring ESG claims are credible, verified, and audit-ready to protect your reputation.
Client-Facing Banker Capability
Equipping relationship managers and business bankers to confidently discuss ESG with clients.
Challenges for Businesses Seeking Finance
Meeting lender and investor ESG expectations
Sustainability-Linked Loan Requirements
Meeting ESG performance targets and reporting obligations tied to your finance facility.
Carbon Baseline Development
Establishing credible Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions data that satisfies lender scrutiny.
ESG Governance and Strategy
Building board-ready frameworks that satisfy lenders and investors.
Materiality Assessment
Identifying ESG priorities that align with stakeholder expectations and commercial strategy.
How We Help
For Financial Institutions
- ESG risk assessment frameworks for lending and investment decisions
- Portfolio company ESG capability building and performance tracking
- Climate scenario analysis and stress testing
- Measuring financed emissions across portfolios
- Net Zero Planning across Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions
- ASRS climate disclosure readiness
- TCFD scenario analysis and reporting
- Board and executive ESG education
- Client-facing banker ESG training and coaching programs
- Webinars and workshops for relationship managers and business bankers
For Businesses Securing Finance
- Carbon baseline development (Scope 1, 2, and material Scope 3)
- Sustainability strategy aligned with loan covenants and targets
- ESG governance structures and policies
- Materiality assessment and stakeholder engagement
- Lender engagement and reporting frameworks
- ESG data infrastructure and tracking systems
- Performance monitoring against loan targets
- Continuous improvement and capability building
Why a Fractional CSO Works for Finance
Senior sustainability leadership without the cost of a full-time hire
Senior Leadership Without Full-Time Cost
Access experienced CSO-level expertise at $8-15k/month instead of $250k+ for a full-time hire.
Immediate Impact
No 3-6 month ramp-up period. Start delivering outcomes from week one with proven frameworks.
Lender and Investor Ready
Outputs designed to meet the scrutiny of financiers, auditors, and regulators.
Flexible Engagement
Scale support as regulatory and operational complexity increases. No long-term commitment required.
Case Study: $140M Sustainability-Linked Loan
Delivering ESG foundations for a national fuel retailer
The Client
A national fuel retailer with 100+ locations across Australia and New Zealand, operating a vertically integrated business including transport fleet and card services. The company secured a $140 million sustainability-linked loan tied to long-term emissions-reduction targets.
The Challenge
To meet the requirements of its sustainability-linked debt facility, the client needed to build credible ESG foundations from the ground up, including carbon baseline, sustainability strategy, governance structures, materiality assessment, and reporting frameworks.
Our Approach
ESG Strategy partnered with DETA Consulting to deliver a full-spectrum sustainability program, combining engineering and carbon analysis expertise with governance, strategy, and stakeholder engagement capability.
The Results
- First Sustainability Strategy developed and embedded into business planning
- Carbon baseline established and aligned with sustainability-linked loan targets
- ESG data infrastructure and reporting readiness significantly improved
- Financier engagement ensured alignment with lender expectations
- Stakeholder priorities mapped through structured materiality engagement
- Stronger ESG governance and cross-functional alignment achieved
Why Choose ESG Strategy for Finance?
Technical + Strategic Expertise
We combine carbon accounting and engineering capability with governance, strategy, and stakeholder engagement expertise.
Lender and Investor Ready
Our outputs are designed to meet the scrutiny of financiers, auditors, and regulators, ensuring credibility and compliance.
Rapid Capability Building
We don't just deliver reports, we build internal capability so your team can manage ESG performance long-term.
Commercial Focus
We understand the commercial imperatives of finance, risk management, capital allocation, portfolio performance, and regulatory compliance.
Proven Track Record
We've supported businesses securing sustainability-linked loans, financial institutions integrating ESG, and investors building portfolio capability.
Partnership Approach
Through trusted partners like DETA Consulting, we deliver comprehensive solutions covering carbon, engineering, and strategic advisory.
Services for Finance Sector
Fractional Chief Sustainability Officer
Senior ESG leadership embedded in your organisation without the cost of a full-time hire. Ideal for financial institutions building ESG capability or businesses preparing for sustainability-linked finance.
Typical engagement: 6–12 months
Pricing: $8k–$15k/month (+GST)
Board Education and Workshops
Tailored workshops for boards and executives on ESG risks, opportunities, and governance. Popular topics include climate risk, TCFD, sustainability-linked finance, and greenwashing risk.
Format: One-off or quarterly education
Pricing: From $15k
Ready to Meet Sustainability-Linked Finance Requirements?
Whether you're a financial institution integrating ESG into lending and investment, or a business securing sustainable finance, we can help.