PRESS RELEASE

According to Future Super’s latest Impact Report, just 7.7% of Australia’s super could fund 100% of Australia’s renewables by 2030. Future Super became the first Australian fund to decarbonise in 2018. 

Future Super’s Impact Report shows how much funding other well-known super funds are giving fossil-fuel companies to harm the environment. It dives into the impact ethical investment makes on our environment and community — and just how easy it is to action through your super.

The Impact Report creates a clear connection between member investment and impact, highlighting what is achieved when efforts are ethically focused.

All figures refer to the average Future Super balance of $35,000.

Key stats:

The average Future Super account balance avoids the same amount of greenhouse gasses as taking two cars off the road for a year.

By joining Future Super, everyday Australians have moved over $400 million out of fossil fuels and into assets that provide Australia with renewable energy.

Future Super is the first superfund to have completely decarbonised several of their portfolios, showing the industry does not have to wait until 2050 to make this transition.

Future Super’s Renewables Plus portfolio saves 14.12 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year, while its Balanced Impact portfolio saves 11.93 tons and Balanced Index saves 4.16 tons each year.

The Renewables Plus portfolio is:

4.03x more effective in reducing carbon emissions than living car-free (3.5 tons per year)
13.4x more effective than eating a plant-based diet (1.05 tons per year)
61.3x more effective than recycling (0.23 tons per year)
61.3x more effective than hanging clothes to dry instead of using a dryer (0.23 tons per year)

Why now?

Supporting data shows Australia could achieve a 100% renewable electricity sector (for stationary power) by 2030 with investment of just 7.7%* of total superannuation holdings.

By utilising just 12.4%* of Australia’s accumulated superannuation fund holdings over 2018-2050 (an investment worth A$788 billion over that period), Australia could achieve a 100% renewable energy future across the economy.

Most Australians who are taking action to limit their carbon footprint have no idea that so much of their money is directly funding the industry they’re trying to avoid.More than 55% of the world’s superannuation is invested in oil, coal, gas and other harmful climate investments.

64% of adults rank climate change number one on a list of 12 threats to Australia’s national interests.

Our current government has prioritised investing in fossil fuels over renewable energy despite the public outcry for a change. This report shows how the average person can make active steps to improving the environment despite current political shortcomings.

We don’t need to wait for the government to transition Australia to a renewable economy, nor will the transition take until 2050. Thousands of Aussies are using their consumer power to divest from fossil-fuels and invest in the future they want to see.